CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE NATIONAL FOREST-Conasauga Ranger District Non-Native Invasive Species Treatment (NNIS)

The Purpose of this Solicitation a Request For Quotes for NNIS Treatment The primary objective is to kill or control non-native invasive (NNIS) plant populations to reduce the threat to native plant communities and wildlife populations. Most control activities will occur along roadsides and trails, streamside zones, wildlife openings, and at small isolated spots in interior areas of the Forest. Work will be accomplished in strict accordance with the standards defined in this contract. Tasks will be completed to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) specified in the table at the end of this document listing the Performance Assessment Methods and the Acceptable Quality Levels. The project will require various NNIS treatments entailing any or all of the following methods: mowing, chainsaw or cutting of trees, shrubs, and woody vines with application of herbicide to the cut surface, and foliar spraying. Factors such as species to be controlled and locations of the populations will determine the treatment methods. Species, locations and treatment methods are specified in the attached materials. The contractor will provide all labor, supervision, transportation, equipment, tools, herbicide, herbicide carriers or adjuvant, herbicide dye, permits and licenses, worker personal protective equipment (PPE), and incidentals necessary to perform the required work in accordance with the Solicitation, Provisions, Contract Clauses, and Scope of Work. Contractors shall have both a contractor's license and professional applicator's license with the State of Georgia (Georgia State Pesticide Contractor's license). All contractor crew leaders must be certified to apply herbicides in the state of Georgia and must be on-site at all times (Georgia State Pesticide Applicator's license). Crew leaders must be certified in the category related to the project; this project requires Forestry and Rights-of-Way certification. Documentation of certification must be provided with quote. GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS Contractor Requirements The contractor and any crew treating NNIS, must be able to identify the NNIS plant species in the field and distinguish them from similar native species. The contractor will supply all herbicide(s) used on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The cost per acre for herbicide required should be reflected in the Pricing Schedule and based on the application methods. The contractor will maintain an accurate daily treatment log of work activities and chemicals applied in treatment sites, with a copy made available to FS at billing or upon request. The daily log will be maintained for each product (if applied separately) for each site. The Contractor will be responsible for all costs of damage, cleanup, and decontamination in the event of an herbicide spill. If a spill occurs, every effort will be made to keep herbicide runoff from contaminating water or other sensitive off-site areas. The spill will be cleaned up as quickly as possible. The COR will be notified immediately of any herbicide spill or accident, and other Federal, State and local officials will be notified as appropriate. Herbicide spills will be handled in accordance with the standard procedures for spill cleanup (40 CFR 117). Equipment Cleaning Requirements Prior to moving any equipment onto the Forest, the equipment will be cleaned. Project COR or Inspector may inspect equipment on-site and may require further cleaning before moving to another treatment area so that the NNIS is not introduced into the next treatment site. This will depend on the species being treated and the methods used. General Herbicide Application Specifications- Typical herbicides used will be: clopyralid; glyphosate; triclopyr. Estimated Start Date is May 1, 2016, Contract Duration is 10 Months Completion Date is March 31, 2017 A complete Solicitation Will be Available at this site by February 29, 2016. Estimate of Cost is Less than $50,000.