Soil injection herbicide appl. -cheraw SP

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) is seeking a commercial certified forestry herbicide applicator to perform soil injection herbicide application services at Cheraw State Park. The solicitation (Number 5400019471) requires the contractor to apply Velpar DF VU herbicide across approximately 146 acres in three separate parcels to eliminate oak regeneration and restore longleaf pine savannah habitat. Specific application requirements include using a 3x4 grid pattern with 0.5 ML per spot, not exceeding 2.0 lbs/acre (1.5 lbs/acre active ingredient). The contractor must provide all herbicide, surfactant, labor, and equipment necessary for compliance, with all work to be completed between March and June 30, 2020. Key qualifications include holding a current South Carolina commercial certified forestry herbicide applicator license and providing comprehensive documentation of herbicide application, including MSDS documentation, lot numbers, and container counts. The original solicitation had a mandatory site visit scheduled for March 10, 2020, with questions due by March 11, 2020, and submission deadline set for March 18, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. Award was initially planned for March 20, 2020, to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder.

While no specific set-aside designations were mentioned, the solicitation includes several critical requirements for potential contractors. A $5,000.00 performance bond is required within 10 business days of purchase order issuance, payable to SCPRT. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including $1,000,000 per occurrence for general liability, $1,000,000 per accident for auto liability, and workers' compensation coverage, with SCPRT to be named as additional insured. The contractor must adhere to strict operational protocols, including daily removal of trash, compliance with product label directions and environmental regulations, and providing 72-hour notification to the SCPRT State Park Biologist prior to application. SCPRT reserves the right to cease operations if proper precautions are not followed or weather conditions are unsuitable. While no specific contract value was disclosed, the solicitation indicates that generic brand herbicides may be acceptable, subject to SCPRT's approval. Offers could be submitted online through the South Carolina procurement website or as sealed paper copies to the SCPRT procurement office.