Work_Statement.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

BDO BLM FY25 Fall Herbicide 1

1.0

GENERAL

1.1 The purpose of this contract is to secure services for herbicide spray application. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, herbicide, adjuvant (if applicable), water carrier, tools, materials, supervision, supplies, and incidentals, and perform all work necessary to complete the application in accordance with these specifications, the Detailed Specifications in this contract, and the herbicide and adjuvant (when applicable) label(s), hereafter “Label(s)”.

1.2 The Contractor’s applicators shall hold a current Idaho Commercial Applicator’s License in the state of Idaho. Proof of license must be presented to the Contracting Officer before any award of Contract will be made.

1.3 The Contractor shall stop operation if inclement weather conditions occur during the spraying operation. Do not spray when wind speed exceeds 6 mph for aerial applications, or as specified on the Label. Application will not be allowed above a maximum temperature of 85o F unless approved by the COR.

1.4 All loading or material transfer sites shall be at least 100 feet away from any perennial or intermittent streams or other water sources.

1.5 Applicator Logs

A.

The Contractor’s applicators shall maintain a daily Pesticide Application Record (PAR).

B.

The PAR shall adhere to Idaho State Department of Agriculture record keeping requirements.

C.

The daily PAR shall be signed by the applicator(s) and turned into the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Project Inspector. The PAR shall be completed daily. The Government will not accept one PAR for a multi-day project.

1.6 The Government will pay for treatment spraying by the acre upon submission of proper invoices after acreage is determined to have been sprayed by using the computer-generated shapefile from a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) guidance/tracking system.

1.7 The Contractor shall conform to the Label(s), and applicable State of Idaho and federal regulations when applying herbicides. All safety precautions shall be followed (See Section 7.0 - Safety).

1.8 The Government will have the option to inspect the Contractor's equipment and work before, during, and after completion of this contract.

2.0

LOCATIONS

2.1 The Government will provide work location maps for the site(s) to be treated with herbicide.

2.2 Work sites will not be marked by the Government.

2.3 The Government will provide GIS perimeter data of the boundaries of all sites that are to be treated with herbicides.

3.0

CHEMICALS

3.1 The Contractor will supply herbicide and adjuvants as directed in the Detailed Specifications.

3.2 The Contractor will supply water necessary to complete the specifications of this contract.

3.3 The contractor shall adhere to the herbicide application rate the Government has determined for each site. The rate will be within the Label’s specifications.

3.4 Adjuvants

A. Adjuvants (drift agents, surfactants, pH buffers, etc.) may be used in addition to what is specified in the Detailed Specifications with prior approval by the COR. It is always the Contractor’s responsibility to control drift whether or not the use of a drift control agent is specified.

B. The Contractor shall adhere to all handling and use requirements listed on the adjuvant label. If additional adjuvants are used it is the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure that they are compatible with all other chemicals being used.

C.

All adjuvants shall be handled as chemicals. (See Section 7.0 - Safety).

E.

No additional payment will be made to the Contractor for the use of Contractor-furnished adjuvants not specified in the Detailed Specifications. These expenses shall be included in the unit price bid per acre for herbicide spraying.

4.0

EQUIPMENT

4.1 General - The Contractor shall spray designated areas in conformance with these specifications, the Detailed Specifications, state of Idaho regulations, and the herbicide label. Unless otherwise specified, the Contractor shall furnish all equipment, labor, supplies, and materials required to complete the job. The Contractor shall furnish properly outfitted equipment with applicators experienced in applying herbicides in varied, sometimes steep, topography and rough terrain. The Contractor shall service and repair their equipment as necessary to maintain satisfactory progress on work. Contractor is responsible for all costs incidental to equipment mobilization and demobilization associated with the project.

4.2 Equipment A.

The Contractor shall furnish sufficient equipment to satisfactorily spray the designated areas in the time specified as required in the Detailed Specifications. Equipment shall be capable of traveling at appropriate speed to give proper control and distribution of herbicide.

B.

Base of Operations - The Contractor shall provide such loading facilities as may be required for competent performance of contract. Use of any loading area shall be arranged by, and at the discretion and risk of, the Contractor. The Government shall not be held responsible for any loss, mishap, or accident due to conditions of any loading facility used. Any applicable fees for loading facilities are the responsibility of the Contractor. If Contractor wishes to use BLM land, this must be approved in advance by the COR. The Contractor must obtain permission from the state/county if roads will be utilized as landing sites. The Contractor shall provide appropriate warning signs for traffic if roads are used as loading sites.

C.

The Contractor may leave their equipment at the work site, however, the Contractor shall be responsible for the equipment if it should be lost, stolen, vandalized or damaged. The Contractor is advised that vandalism of equipment may be a concern at the work site. Therefore it is suggested that a watchman service for equipment security be provided during all periods of no activity on the project, to include overnight, regardless of location.

D.

Dust abatement - Any material used for dust abatement, other than water, shall be approved by the COR prior to use.

E.

Flight Hazards – If Contractor aircraft(s) are utilized, identification of hazards such as the presence of power lines or anemometer towers on the work site, and military operations areas (MOA) or restricted flight areas on or near the work site, are the responsibility of the Contractor. All appropriate precautions shall be taken by the Contractor. It is the Contractor's responsibility to make arrangements with the appropriate military personnel to get permission to operate within a restricted flight area or MOA 4.3 Spray equipment

A.

Spray Tanks - Spray solutions of the product shall be mixed, stored and applied using only stainless steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic or plastic-lined steel containers.

B.

Spray Nozzles - Contractor shall furnish a nozzle type that is designated for the intended application. Refer to the Label for proper nozzles to comply with Drift Management Section.

C.

Booms - Contractor shall furnish non-rust booms. The distance of the outermost nozzles on the boom must not exceed 3/4 the length of the wingspan or rotor if aircraft is utilized.

4.4 Work Crew

A.

Applicators - Shall be furnished by the Contractor and shall meet certification requirements of Idaho Regulations for this type of work.

Applicators must hold a current Idaho Commercial Applicator’s License. Proof of license must be presented to the Contracting Officer before award of Contract will be made.

B.

Work crew - Shall be furnished by the Contractor for handling and mixing the herbicide and loading the equipment. For aerial application Mixers and Loaders shall hold a Mixer/Loader certification of training. The Contractor shall furnish the necessary qualified mechanics for maintenance of equipment and shall furnish all fuel, oil, and service required for operation of equipment and vehicles. All expenses relating to maintenance and operation of equipment shall be included in the unit price bid per acre for herbicide spraying.

4.5 Project Layout A.

Requirement – Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). Contractor shall be required to utilize DGPS for electronic guidance/tracking. For aerial application, system will be capable of utilizing ArcGIS shapefiles created by the Government and given to the Contractor on a standard USB memory drive.

B.

On-the-ground flaggers and an auto-flagger system can supplement the DGPS system, but not substitute for it.

4.6 Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)

A. Tracking/Guidance - DGPS is required for tracking, and data collection. The Contractor shall provide all guidance equipment, materials, computers, printers, personnel, and services required for the system to be used. The system shall be sufficiently sensitive to provide immediate deviation indications (real-time).

The DGPS system must be capable of determining a differentially corrected location with an error of no more than one (1) to two (2) meters in the horizontal plane. The tracking/guidance system shall be capable of updating current position at a rate of a minimum of one time per second. Differential correction must cover the complete operational area. During operation differentially corrected signal must be accurately recorded at least 90% of the operational time. Differential correction may be provided by a portable differential station, FM radio fixed towers or satellite.

4.7 Equipment Requirements:

A. Software: Software provided with DGPS must be designed for parallel offset in increments equal to the assigned swath width of the application equipment.

B. Project Log: Software must be capable of a minimum rate of one-second logging intervals. Full record includes position, time, altitude or elevation, speed, track, application system on/off, job name/number, and differential correction status. The software must be capable of calculating total acres treated during the application and produce computer file(s) for analysis and review. The project log must show and differentiate between spray-on and spray-off. Exported files of each project log shall be provided on a USB memory stick and must be compatible with ArcGIS software. The Contractor may use alternative software if the files can be converted to a format that is compatible with ArcGIS. The Contractor must, upon request by the COR or PI, be able to supply project log data on a USB memory drive for review at any time during the contract. The Contractor will provide project log data at the end of each day’s application. The Contract will not be considered complete until the data has been reviewed and deemed complete with no skips in the sprayed areas. The DGPS system must be capable of zooming in on any portion of the treatment to view a specific area with greater detail.

C. Hardware:

1. Visual Display Monitor and Control Keypad: (1) Capable of displaying swath width over project path; (2) mounted in a location that will allow the applicator to view the screen; (3) have a method to display nested polygons to indicate sensitive or no-spray areas within or adjacent to treatment blocks; (4) have a feature that allows the applicator to return to the exact location of application shutdown and complete application without omitted or doubled treated areas; (5) be able to input reference waypoints (A-B line); (6) have a feature which alerts applicator when they are about to enter or exit a specific treatment block or an exclusion area within a block.

2. Course Deviation Indicator (CDI): The course deviation indicator or course deviation light must have the capability to display both cross-track error and intercept angle to desired heading. Cross-track error shall be adjustable down to 0.30 meters (approximately 1 foot).

3. Memory: Must be capable of storing up to 10 hours of continuous project log data.

5.0

EXECUTION OF WORK

5.1 Pre-Work Conference: Prior to commencement of work a meeting will be requested by the Contracting Officer to be attended by the Contractor, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and the Project Inspector(s). The meeting will be held at the Boise District Office to discuss the work schedule and to familiarize both parties with the responsibilities of each under this contract. At this time a work schedule showing dates, locations, equipment and employees working on this project shall be provided by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer

5.2 Priority of Work: Units will be sprayed in the order as directed by the COR. Each unit shall be completed prior to moving to the next unit unless otherwise agreed to by the COR.

5.3 Environmental Conditions

A.

Work Period - Spraying Operations will be permitted only during daylight hours. The Contractor will have personnel on project site prior to commencing daily application and during application, and will notify COR or PI of changing weather conditions. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have personnel monitoring the weather and site conditions within each unit and at loading sites. The COR or PI will allow the Contractor to continue or stop application if weather factors dictate. The COR or PI will give the permission to start, approximately one (1) hour from notification of conditions, depending on location of project from the Boise District Office. The Contractor will be allowed to work seven days per week including Saturdays and Sundays.

B.

Wind - The Contractor shall follow the Label Section on Spray Drift Management - Wind. Do not spray when wind speed exceeds 6 mph for aerial applications, or as specified on the label. Local wind can influence wind patterns. Every applicator should be familiar with local wind patterns and how they affect drift. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have personnel monitoring the weather and site conditions within each unit and at loading sites.

C.

Relative Humidity - Refer to the product label when making applications in low relative humidity conditions. Measurements can be obtained from local National Weather Service. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have personnel monitoring the weather and site conditions within each unit, and at loading sites.

D. Temperature - Application will not be allowed above a maximum temperature of 85o F unless approved by the COR.

E. Site Conditions - No treatment spraying will be allowed if conditions do not meet the label requirements. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have personnel monitoring the weather and site conditions within each unit and at loading sites.

5.4 Spraying

A.

Coverage - The entire surface within the designated boundaries of the project area shall receive uniform coverage with the herbicide except for areas excluded by the Government. Areas excluded from the spraying operation within the designated boundaries will not be included in the acreage computed for payment. Any areas not covered by Contractor shall be reapplied or compensated by suitable contract adjustment, at the option of and at no additional cost to, the Government. (See section 5.7 Field Quality Control and Section 5.10 Completion of Contract) B.

Land Patterns - Project sites include varying land patterns. State and/or private land can be surrounded by BLM-administered lands or BLM-administered lands may be surrounded by private and state lands. Contractor shall be capable of applying herbicide to small irregular shaped areas in difficult terrain with varied elevations, avoiding lands not administered by the BLM or that are not included in this contract.

C.

Terrain - Project sites are located in hilly to steep terrain of differing elevations, see Detailed Specification by line item for general description of terrain for each treatment unit. Contractor shall be capable of applying herbicide in contouring patterns as influenced by topography. Contractor shall be capable of distributing the herbicide in varying elevations while maintaining applicable above-ground level application height based on varied terrain below (not at one fixed height for all varying terrain). Contractor will not be allowed to apply the herbicide at one fixed height above ground level in varying terrain, contours and elevation.

D.

Rate of Spraying - Herbicide shall be applied at the application rate per acre according to the Detailed Specifications. The carrier for the chemical will follow the amount specified in this contract but will not be less than label limits for aerial or ground application. Contractor will be required to demonstrate that they can provide adequate and uniform coverage. Contractor shall furnish mixing equipment, suitable work crew, and perform mixing operation. Spray formulation shall be thoroughly mixed according to the Label and distributed over entire area. Distribution of herbicide shall not vary more than ten percent (10%) above or below the average distribution of herbicide per acre from that specified.

E.

Application Paths - Shall be patterned to secure a uniform distribution of herbicide. Contractor must ensure that there will be straight and regular paths of application. The Contractor must keep spray applications within the perimeter of the Government provided shapefile. Irregular paths or areas sprayed outside of the perimeter will result in immediate stoppage of work. Corrective action shall be taken immediately by the Contractor to insure evenly spaced, straight, and regular application paths and complete coverage of areas included in the spraying job. No overlapping or stripping shall be allowed.

F.

Swath Width: Effective swath width shall not exceed the maximum for adequate coverage of supplied spraying equipment.

G.

Application Height: Spray boom shall be set at a height to obtain proper distribution and uniform coverage of herbicide on target species. Contractor shall follow Label instructions on Spray Drift Management to obtain proper boom height.

H.

Spray Drift Management: The interaction of many equipment- and weather-related factors determines the potential for spray drift. The Contractor is responsible for considering all these factors when making application decisions. Avoiding spray drift is the responsibility of the Contractor.

I.

Buffer Zones: The Contractor is required to follow herbicide label instructions for minimum buffer zones. The Contractor will maintain the greater of 100 ft or the label recommended minimum buffer zone from all sensitive areas, streams, ponds, other waterways and agricultural areas.

5.5 Cultural Considerations – Because cultural resources may be present in the area, ground-based project activities and any other action that causes disturbance of the ground’s surface shall be limited to those areas approved by the BLM. The Contractor shall insure that the Contractor, Contractor employees, or Contractor representatives do not collect or disturb historic or prehistoric artifacts in accordance with the Archeological Resources Protection Act (43 CFR 7). Should the condition of the cultural resources in the area be altered during treatment due to unauthorized activity by the Contractor or Contractor’s employees, the Contractor shall be responsible for all costs of mitigating the cultural resources involved. If deterioration of the archeological sites is found to be occurring during treatment, work on the project shall be terminated until a data recovery plan is prepared and completed in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800). The Contractor shall immediately bring to the attention of the Contracting Officer any and all cultural resources including, but not limited to, historic and prehistoric sites or artifacts, buried artifacts, and buried features such as fire pits, burials, and house floors discovered as a result of treatment operations. The Contractor shall immediately suspend all activities in the immediate vicinity that might harm the object(s), notify the Contracting Officer, and shall leave such discoveries intact until instructed to proceed by the Contracting Officer.

5.6 Sprayer Clean up - Shall be conducted according to the label instructions. Avoiding contamination of the work site is the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.7 Field Quality Control

A.

Tests for Uniformity: The Government representative may conduct tests to determine uniformity of herbicide application. Water sensitive cards or equivalent will be utilized.

B.

Tests for Rate of Application: Rate of spraying will be determined from test applications and strip tests made prior to commencement of spraying operations to establish setting of the distribution mechanism.

5.8 Work stoppages - The Contractor agrees to work diligently to complete the application of the herbicide. Partial workdays will be counted as full days of performance time.

5.9 Termination for convenience of the Government - Because of the nature of the work, the Contracting Officer may, by written notice to the Contractor, terminate this contract, in whole or in part, when it is in the best interest of the Government. To the extent that this contract is so terminated, the Government shall be liable only for payment in accordance with the payment provisions of this contract for work satisfactorily completed prior to the effective date of termination.

5.10 Completion of contract - The Contract will be considered completed and payment due when all areas furnished to the Contractor by the Government have been sprayed to the standards specified above, all GPS data has been provided to the Government, and all application records have been provided to, and approved by, the Government. Test for uniformity will be made at the time of spraying and final completion of the contract will be determined by these tests.

5.11 Risk damages - The Contractor shall assume all risks in connection with performance of the contract and shall be liable for, and save Government harmless on, account of any damages to persons or property in connection with the prosecution of the work, including the applicator or other employees of the Contractor.

6.0

MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

6.1 Method of Measurement A.

Units: Application of herbicide solution will be measured and paid for by the number of acres sprayed to the nearest whole acre.

B.

Measurement: Measurement for payment for spraying will be the actual area, in acres, within the designated boundaries satisfactorily sprayed in conformance with these specifications. Measurement will be made from either physical surveys of the areas or a computer-generated shapefile created in a DGPS at the option of Government. The shapefile will be used in ArcGIS for final acreage measurement. Acreages will be computed from horizontal distances as shown on maps at the option of Government.

C.

Remeasurement: Remeasurement of the acreage under this contract will be made upon the written request of the Contractor. The request for remeasurement must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after completion of the work. If remeasurement indicates a difference of not more than 5% from the original measurement the Contractor shall pay the actual cost of the remeasurement. Payments will be based on the second measurement where the difference between measurements is more than 5%. Where the difference is less than 5%, the results of the first measurement will be used.

6.2 Basis of Payment:

A.

Payment: Payment will be made at the unit price per acre specified in the Bid Schedule which is made a part hereof and shall include the cost of all work described in this paragraph and the Detailed Specifications including any respraying if such work is required.

7.0

SAFETY

7.1 Transportation of herbicides - The Contractor shall be responsible for the transport of chemical herbicides used to fulfill the specifications of this contract to the Contractor’s loading site. The Contractor shall secure herbicide containers in mixing area to prevent spillage. The Contractor will be responsible for its protection from loss or damage due to weather, rodents, insects, theft, or any other hazard.

7.2 Protective clothing and equipment for contract employees exposed to herbicides - The Contractor shall supply protective clothing and equipment to contract workers that guarantee minimal exposure throughout the herbicide application process. The Contractor shall follow all advice on protective clothing and equipment which appears on the herbicide label and/or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation. The Contractor shall make available cleanup facilities to contract employees exposed to herbicides or herbicide-contaminated equipment.

7.3 Storage of herbicides - The Contractor will be responsible for the storage of all chemical.

7.4 Mixing and application of herbicides:

A.

The Contractor shall mix herbicides in accordance with the proportions listed on the product labels. The Contractor shall provide adequate protective clothing and equipment for contract employees who mix the herbicides.

B.

By law, the application of an herbicide, either directly or through drift, must not expose workers or other people. The Contractor shall be aware and cautious of any environmental hazard present during herbicide application. Upon completion of herbicide application, the Contractor shall thoroughly clean equipment and dispose of waters, residues, rinses, and unused herbicides only according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Idaho State regulations. All empty herbicide containers will be tripled rinsed, labels removed, and punctured by the Contractor after mixing. The Contractor shall be responsible for disposal of the empty boxes, labels, and lids. The Contractor shall be responsible for disposal or recycling of the empty containers.

7.5 Spills and accidents - The Contractor shall be responsible if accidents and chemical spills occur. The Contractor shall report immediately spills and accidents to COR or PI and appropriate local authorities. The Contractor shall provide immediate treatment of contaminated or injured persons and seek professional medical attention when necessary. The Contractor shall control chemical spills quickly and shall secure additional help when the Contractor cannot effectively or safely handle the spill cleanup. Spills will be the responsibility of the Contractor and shall be cleaned up to the satisfaction of the local authorities.

GLOSSARY

ACTIVE INGREDIENT: The chemicals in an herbicide which control the targeted noxious and/or invasive weed species.

ADJUVANT: An inert material added to an herbicide formulation or tank mix to increase the effectiveness of the active ingredient.

DRIFT: The movement of airborne particles by air motion or wind away from the intended target area.

EMERGENCE: The act of a germinating seedling breaking through the soil surface.

LABEL: The label is a legal document that includes the information that is printed on or attached to a pesticide container. Labeling includes the label plus all other information provided by the manufacturer about the product and includes brochures, leaflets, and other information that may accompany the product. The pesticide label provides valuable information about the proper handling, use, potential risks a pesticide may pose, and instructions on how to minimize or avoid those risks.

RATE: The amount of active ingredient or acid equivalent applied per unit area or other treatment unit.

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