S--Establishment of winter food plots and mowing at Wappapello Lake Project, Wappapello, MO

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. In order to receive a government contract/purchase order, contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) program. You can access SAM at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/#1 NOTE: PRE-SCREEN CANDIDATES USING E-VERIFY PROGRAM - The contractor must pre-screen Candidates using the E-Verify Program (http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify) website to meet the established employment eligibility requirements. The Contractor must ensure that the Candidate has two valid forms of Government issued identification prior to ensuring the correct information isd entered into the E-Verify system. An initial list of verified/eligible Candidates must be provided to the COR no later than 3 business days after the initial contract award. NOTE: The acreages listed above are target goals and are dependent upon weather conditions. In the event of a wet spring, spring food plot acreages may be greatly reduced and then made up for with additional fall food plot acreages. If mowing activities can't be conducted because of wet field conditions, certain areas may be skipped to avoid work stoppages upon authorization of COR. If this occurs, the second mowing cycle will pick up these areas, if the vegetation is in a growth stage requiring a mowing. No payment will be made for work that is not completed, even if it is due to weather. Spring food plot planting will commence after contract award, or when weather conditions will allow. Spring food plot plantings must be completed no later than June 15, 2014, for both corn and milo, and June 30, 2014, for soybeans. Spraying and cultivating operations are both optional line items, to be requested and deemed necessary by the Government. Mowing operations will commence once vegetation reaches heights that require it to be cut. The first mowing cycle will commence May 1, 2014 and be completed by June 30, 2014. The second mowing cycle will commence August 1, 2014, and all mowing during the second mowing cycle must be completed no later than September 15, 2014. Vegetation heights must be cut to a height no more than 10 quote mark . Winter wheat planting will commence no sooner than August 1, 2014, and will also be dictated by weather conditions. Wheat plantings must be completed no later than September 15, 2014. SECTION C-1 GENERAL INFORMATION WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 1.1 SCOPE OF WORK - The Vendor shall provide all materials, seed, fertilizer, chemical, supplies, labor, supervision, and equipment, to perform food plot planting, mowing, spraying and cultivating operations at Wappapello Lake, Wappapello, MO, in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications of this contract. Method of Quality Assurance by the Government will be 100% inspection. 1.2 LOCATION OF WORK/ACCESS - Work shall be performed in various locations on the Wappapello Lake Project. The Government will clearly mark on maps and/or in the field, the locations work is to be performed when task orders are issued. Because the management areas are dispersed throughout the project, the Vendor can anticipate considerable travel between many small work locations. Areas are accessible through 16 ft. and 24 ft. gates and require travel down field access roads. This may limit the size of equipment the Vendor can use to perform the work. In areas that are closed to public vehicles, the Vendor shall keep the gates closed at all times. Vendor should be prepared to remove small limbs and/or trees that are hindering travel down access roads, which could require the use of a chainsaw. If large trees are found, notification of project staff for removal may be required. The Vendor shall not trespass or otherwise infringe on private property. 1.3 WORK PERIOD - The work under this contract shall be performed during the contract/work period, depending on weather, from March 1, 2014 (or date of award, whichever is later) through September 30, 2014. A pre-work conference will be scheduled within ten (10) days following the award of this contract. The Vendor is required to attend this meeting. 1.4 WORK EXTENSIONS - Work extensions may be granted by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) as a result of weather conditions. Requests will be addressed on a case-by-case basis and determinations will be made by the COR. 1.5 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) - Contractors must have an active registration to submit a bid for this contract. Bids received with an inactive or expired registration will be rejected. Information and instructions may be obtained via: https://www.sam.gov/ 1.6 SAFETY - All work shall be performed in accordance with safety requirements set forth in Corps of Engineers Manual, EM 385-1-1 entitled quote mark Safety and Health Requirements Manual quote mark . EM 385-1-1 and its changes are available at http//www.hq.usace.army.mil/ (at the homepage select safety and occupational health). The Vendor shall be responsible for complying with the current edition and all changes posted on the web as of the effective date of this solicitation. Any unsafe work and or actions will be stopped immediately. The Vendor shall submit a monthly quote mark SAFETY EXPOSURE REPORT quote mark that identifies the total number of hours worked per month. Report will cover hours worked during the previous month and be submitted the first week of the following month. 1.7 ACCIDENT REPORTING - An accident constitutes an incident or act involving the Vendor which may or may not have caused obvious damage to persons or property. All accidents shall be reported to the Project office within 24 hours of the occurrence. All serious accidents (those resulting in death or injury requiring medical attention) shall be reported immediately. 1.8 VENDOR REPRESENTATIVES - The Vendor shall provide in writing, to the Project Office, the name(s) of the Vendor's Representative(s) who will be physically present on site with authority and power to conduct overall management, coordination, and supervision whenever work specified herein is being performed. The Vendor Representative serves as the central point of contact with the government for performance of all work under this contract. The Vendor Representative shall deal directly with the COR for normal day-to-day administration of this contract. 1.9 QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTOR - The Vendor is responsible for insuring that all work performed under this contract, including work performed by subcontractors, is in accordance with the specifications of this contract. To accomplish this, the Vendor will appoint in writing, a Quality Control Inspector. 1.10 OMISSIONS - This contract may duplicate or not cover all specified activities, steps, and/or procedures required to accomplish contract work. In case of omission, the normal industry standards, practices, specifications and/or guides shall prevail. In no instance shall an omission be reason to perform inferior work, produce a less than acceptable product or service, or refuse to perform an intended activity. 1.11 OTHER CONTRACTS - The Vendor's attention is called to the fact that other Contractors and Corps of Engineers employees may be in the area for the purpose of performing daily duties. The Vendor will cooperate fully with all such people in the area, and shall not impede the work of other Contractors in any way. 1.12 CULTURAL/HISTORIC PROPERTIES - The Vendor shall take any necessary precautions to protect and preserve all cultural/historic properties within his or her work areas. The Government will notify the Vendor of any known cultural/historic sites in the immediate work area before work begins. Should the Vendor discover any items of cultural/historic value, the Vendor will immediately cease work and notify the COR. 1.13 EQUIPMENT STORAGE - In most instances, the Vendor will be permitted to leave equipment in remote, undeveloped areas until the work is completed. However, The Government will not be held accountable for any Vendor equipment or supplies that are lost, stolen, or vandalized when left on Government property. Vendor's equipment, materials, and supplies shall be removed from Government property before final invoice is accepted and payment is issued. SECTION C-2 DEFINITIONS WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 2. DEFINITIONS - As used throughout this description/specification, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below: a. VENDOR - The term Vendor refers to the prime Vendor and all Vendor employees and personnel. The Vendor shall be responsible for ensuring all subcontractors comply with the provisions of this contract. b. VENDOR REPRESENTATIVE - A foreman or superintendent, assigned to represent the interest of the Vendor with regards to all matters involving the contract. c. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVES (COR) - An individual designated in writing by the Contracting Officer to be responsible for administration of the contract and to serve as Quality Assurance Representative. d. QUALITY CONTROL - Action taken by the Vendor and/or his/her personnel to document, inspect, and control performance of services to insure they meet the specifications and requirements of this contract. e. QUALITY ASSURANCE - Action taken by the government to ensure the Vendor's Quality Control system is functioning and effective and that the Vendor is providing services which are in accordance with this contract. f. ENCROACHMENT - To intrude gradually on the rights or possessions of another. In this case, an encroachment on government property may be a structure, an access, trash, or other forms of utilizing government land in an unauthorized manner. g. PUBLIC LAND - Refers to land owned and/or managed by state or federal government agencies, such as the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the United States Forest Service, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. h. DISKING - Vendor shall disk all ground at a minimum of 4 quote mark deep until all surface materials have been cut and turned under and no dirt clods with a diameter greater than 3 inches are present and no strips of fallow ground remain unturned. Certain conditions may warrant clods greater than 3 quote mark and may be approved by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer's Representative. i. ROW-DRILL PLANTING - Vendor shall use a row crop planter to plant both corn and milo at the specified rates. Soybeans can be planted with a row crop planter or grain drill in accordance with variety specifications. Wheat must be planted with a grain drill. j. GRAIN DRILL PLANTING - Vendor shall plant wheat and soybeans (if chosen) in accordance with industry standards. Soybeans may be planted via this method, if not row-drill planted. k. CULTIVATION - Vendor shall thoroughly cut root mass of undesired vegetation between corn and milo crop rows once they are of adequate height to prevent damage. Care should be used to prevent destroying crops. l. FERTILIZATION - Vendor shall supply and evenly apply the required rates of fertilizer either through the band or by broadcasting. Rates of fertilizer vary depending upon type of crop being planted and any fertilizer that is broadcast must be incorporated into the soil prior to planting. m. SPRAYING - Vendor shall supply and evenly apply the required rate of Round-Up broad spectrum herbicide, or an approved alternate, to designated row crops. Vendor must have in his/her possession the proper pesticide applicator license as required by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. n. MOWING - Vendor shall cut all vegetation, up to and including 3 quote mark diameter woody vegetation, in accordance with contract specifications. SECTION C-3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 3.1 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (G.F.E.) - KEYS - If Government keys are issued to the Vendor, work will not be considered complete and accepted until the keys are returned to the key officer. If keys are lost and/or not returned, a deduction fee of $ 250.00 per key will be made from final payment. SECTION C-4 VENDOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 4.1 GENERAL - Unless otherwise stated, the Vendor shall furnish and maintain all equipment, materials, and supplies necessary and suitable to perform work. The Vendor will furnish the Project Office with weight tickets and receipts for all fertilizer, chemical, and seed purchased. All equipment shall be maintained in safe operating condition in accordance with paragraph 1.4 quote mark SAFETY. quote mark 4.2 EQUIPMENT SAFETY - Equipment, materials and supplies used to accomplish services under this contract shall be suitable to perform the work as described herein. All equipment, materials, and supplies shall be equipped with manufacturer's recommended safety protective devices to insure worker and public safety at all times. The Vendor will inspect equipment daily and maintain all equipment in good working condition. SECTION C-5 SPECIFICATION FOR LAND MANAGEMENT WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 5.1 GENERAL - Work will consist of plowing, disking, planting, fertilizing, and cultivating any combination of corn, milo, and soybeans; disking, fertilizing and planting winter wheat, and successional mowing at Wappapello Lake. Initial plans are for 81 acres of spring food plots, 51.50 acres of fall food plots, 61 acres of spraying optional, 20 acres of cultivating optional, and 288 acres of mowing. But, depending upon weather conditions, varying quantities of each crop may vary drastically. If spring food plots can't be planted, a winter wheat food plot will be substituted at each location that conditions allow. A wet spring could result in a reduction of corn, milo, and soybeans and result in more winter wheat being planted in the fall. Likewise, wet areas encountered during the mowing cycles may have to be skipped. The Government will make all efforts to ensure all vegetation gets cut, if ground conditions permit and it is necessary. It may be required that all, one, or any combination of crops be planted at each location. For those items which require multi-stage operations, all stages must be completed successfully. The Vendor may be required to re-do any or all unsatisfactory stages (at no additional cost to the Government) prior to payment. The Vendor will take all necessary measures to ensure that each item is performed correctly and to promote the greatest possible crop yield. Areas where land management activities are to be conducted will be accessed by the Vendor only through an existing field gate unless otherwise specified. Disked areas must be planted within 48 hours of breaking. If disked areas are not planted within the specified time frame, or prior to a rain event, the Vendor will re-disk at no additional cost to the Government. 5.2 PLANTING (Row Crop) - Row Crop Planting consists of disking, planting, and fertilize application. The Vendor shall row plant corn and milo in 36 inch rows, no later than June 15, 2014, unless authorized later by COR. The Vendor may row plant soybeans (may also grain drill plant soybeans), and they must be planted no later than June 30, 2014.. Each designated area will be completely and evenly planted at the specified rate (Corn 18,000 kernels per acre, Soybeans 50 pounds of seed per acre, and Milo 10 pounds of seed per acre). All seed bags will be properly disposed of, off government property, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. 5.3 PLANTING - (Grain Drill) - Grain Drill Planting consists of disking, fertilizing, and drill planting wheat and soybeans (if not row-crop drill planted). If not row-crop planted, soybeans may be grain drill planted, at 50 pounds per acre, no later than June 30, 2014. Wheat seed will be grain drill planted at 100 pounds per acre, and no later than September 15, 2014. All seed bags will be properly disposed of, off Government property, in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. 5.4 FERTILIZING (NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND POTASH) - The Vendor shall supply and uniformly apply the required actual pounds per acre of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash (N-P-K) for corn, milo, soybeans, and wheat; vendor will also apply required rate of ammonium sulfate per acre for all winter wheat plantings. The rates for corn will be 90-40-40, milo will be 80-40-20, beans will be 10-24-45, and wheat will be 100-50-50 with an additional 20 pounds of ammonium sulfate per acre. Fertilizer for corn, milo, and soybeans may either be band applied adjacent to crop row or broadcast evenly and incorporated prior to planting. Fertilizer should be evenly broadcast spread and incorporated prior to planting for winter wheat. The Vendor will furnish the Project Office with weight tickets and receipts for all fertilizer applied. All fertilizer bags will be properly disposed of, off Government property. 5.5 CULTIVATING - The Vendor shall cultivate planted row crops to reduce weed competition. By thoroughly turning over the soil between the rows to the proper depth, the Vendor will uproot undesirable weeds and form a uniform furrow of soil along the planted crop. Care must be taken to prevent damage, or death, to the crop plants. Fields will be cultivated when the crops reach a height of no less than 6 quote mark and no greater than 18 quote mark and when field conditions permit. The Vendor shall make as many passes as is necessary to provide the desirable results. No-till cultivators may be used. Cultivating price is separate from establishment of wildlife food plots and should be bid upon as such. THIS LINE ITEM WILL BE OPTIONAL AT THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST. 5.6 SPRAYING - The Vendor shall evenly apply Round-Up, or an approved alternate, broad spectrum herbicide to kill both broadleaf weeds and grasses. Label instructions for quantities, mixing, and cleaning up must be followed. Application may take place on both planted crops, with Round-Up Ready trait, or to fallow fields to control noxious weed and woody encroachment. Vendor must have applicable state-issued Applicator's license(s) as required and monitored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The Vendor will furnish the Project Office with weight tickets and receipts for all chemicals purchased. THIS LINE ITEM WILL BE OPTIONAL AT THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST. 5.7 MOWING - The Vendor shall utilize a mowing mechanism, such as a bush hog or other type mower, to cut all grass, weeds, and woody vegetation, including woody growth up to and including 3 quote mark , to a height not to exceed 10 quote mark from the ground's surface. Work will include mowing fields, field borders/edges, roadsides, and wooded timber trails. The first mowing cycle will commence May 1, 2014, and must be completed by June 30, 2014. The second mowing cycle will commence August 1, 2014, and must be completed by September 15, 2014. APPENDIX D QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE 1. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP) - This plan will be used to assure the Government that the work specified under this contract is completed satisfactorily. Payment Analysis will be conducted by using the 100% sampling method. 2. 100% INSPECTION METHOD - Surveillance by this method requires that every occurrence of a performed service be monitored. Vendor requirements using these evaluations are generally those that occur infrequently, or are essential, or are costly to perform, or at the Government's discretion. These results are then compared to the specific performance standards. 2.1 Monitoring - Inspection of all services performed under this method will be conducted upon completion of the Vendor's Quality Control Inspection. All services will be inspected and used for evaluating performance. 2.2 Deductions - The COR may require that all work which fails to provide the desired results be redone or reduce the contract price to equal the reduced value of the service. The Vendor will ensure that these defects do not recur. If the Vendor fails to rework the rejected areas where the defects are recurring, the Government may: 2.2.1 Reduce the contract price to equal the reduced value of the service. 2.2.2 Perform the required services, by contract or otherwise, and deduct any costs incurred by the Government that is directly related to the performance of such services from the Vendor's invoice. 2.2.3 Terminate the contract for default. 2.2.4 Deductions - The deductions taken under this method will be based on the following examples: EXAMPLE: a. Contract price for all work is = $6000 b. Total acres are 60 c. Sample size is 100%. d. Number of defects is 6 acres. e. Percentage of Sample defects is .10. f. The deduction from the invoice for deficient work is $600. 2.2.5 Should it become necessary for the Quality Assurance inspector to perform re-inspection of defective work that was required to be redone (due to failure of vendor Quality Control System to locate and cure these deficiencies prior to the QA inspection) there will be a re-inspection/administration charge equal to the Actual Government Cost (AGC) at the Effective Hourly Rate (E.H.R.) applied to the re-inspection bid item. The AGC re-inspection time will start the minute the inspector is called and/or stops his other duties to perform the re-inspection and will end after the inspector returns to his duty site after the inspection. These charges will be deducted from the Vendor's invoice. Deductions for re-inspection will be taken based on the following example: EXAMPLE: Re-inspection of food plot planting services is required on one acre at Wappapello Lake. The Government's Quality Assurance Inspector was at the office at the time he was called to re-inspect. His actual time to inspect the acre and return to his duties at the office was two hours. The QA inspector's Effective Hourly Rate (E.H.R.) is $11.30 per hour. The re-inspection deduction will be made as follows: E.H.R x inspection hours = Deduction $11.30/hour x 2 hours = $22.60 deduction APPENDIX E INVOICING REQUIREMENTS WILDLIFE FOOD PLOT PLANTING SERVICES WAPPAPELLO LAKE INVOICE REQUIREMENTS - Upon completion of all work activities, the Vendor shall supply an invoice for final payment of rendered services. The invoice shall include the following: 1) Date, 2) Contract Number, 3) Contractor Name, 4) Contractor Address and Phone Number, 5) Description of services provided to the Government-include acres disked, planted, fertilized and price per acre & acres cultivated and price per acre, 6) total contract price, and 7) Contractor signature. SAMPLE INVOICE: Date Contract Number: 123456789 Joe Contractor 1 Honesty Drive Simplicity, MO 12345 +1 (555) 000-0000 50 acres disked, planted, and fertilized x $2.50 per acre = $125.00 50 acres cultivated x $1.25 per acre = $62.50 Contract Grand Total = $187.50 ______________________________________________ Contractor Signature