Chesapeake and Delaware Canal: Lime Application

**PLEASE SUBMIT RESPONSE TO SOLICIATION ELECTRONICALLY VIA EMAIL TO: contact@example.gov***** ******RESPONSE DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 25, 2019 AT 4:00PM EST.******** The lime application areas are along the northern and southern banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C & D) Canal between Chesapeake City, MD and the Conrail Railroad Bridge near Summit Marina in Delaware. Prior to 1987, over six hundred acres of dredged material disposal area lands along the banks of the C & D Canal experienced poor vegetative cover because of low pH and low fertility in the soils. These conditions were a result from the chemical oxidation of acid-producing minerals in the soils after they were excavated during various phases of canal construction. Vegetation eventually stabilized these areas after amendments of municipal sewage sludge and lime were applied to the soils during the 1970's and 1980's. In order to perpetuate the stabilized conditions, it is necessary to periodically test the soils for their pH values and fertility (not part of this contract). The results are used to determine the appropriate amounts of lime and fertilizer required to sustain a pH of 6.8 or higher and maintain soil fertility. Another purpose for testing/liming is that the sludge amendments contained concentrations of heavy metals above previous soil background levels, which require pH monitoring and lime applications, as needed, to immobilize the heavy metals. This work order requires the topical application of calcitic or dolomitic agricultural limestone. The sludge amendment areas are about equally divided on both sides of the canal. These areas were divided up into 62 smaller cells that are approximately 10 acres in size. During the last 5 years, an average of 53 of these cells have required lime applications. Among the cells requiring lime, application rates are variable from as low as 1 ton per acre or as high as 8 tons per acre. The average lime application rate over the last 5 years is about 2.6 tons per acre. These areas are mostly flat or sloped embankments. Some of the areas may contain permanent ponded water. After significant rainfall, soils and access roads may become very soft and muddy due to high clay content. Access roads are often eroded and rutted and may be difficult to maneuver on without high clearance 4-wheeled drive vehicles. Lime spreading shall be done when conditions are favorable for supporting equipment and to minimize rutting. Some sites are encircled with thick vegetation, which may also impede vehicle access and lime and fertilizer applications. Large portions of several of the areas may be thick with briars, common reed (Phragmites australis), and poison ivy, which require mowing (approximately 96 acres) to improve access and spreading of lime. Most of the areas contain rock drainage structures placed in depressions that may be obscured by vegetation. The contractor shall locate these structures prior to using spreading equipment. In addition, the areas may be open to hunting depending on seasons and state hunting regulations. The use of a handheld or mobile Global Positioning System (GPS) is required to identify cell corner points, and to navigate liming operations within each cell. A site visit is recommended to observe field conditions prior to submitting a bid.