Sources Sought of Herbicides for Use in Aerial Application of Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR)

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS. This is a Sources Sought Synopsis announcement; market survey for information only, to be used for preliminary planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this synopsis. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS SYNOPSIS. BACKGROUND: The Headquarters Utah Test and Training Range's (HQ UTTR) mission is testing of weapons systems and training aircrews. As a result, weapons are dropped on selected targets at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR). Some weapons do not explode and require Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel to find and destroy them in place. This is a very dangerous operation if the targets are covered with vegetation. To minimize this hazard, and as a key component of our risk mitigation efforts, selected targets (where particularly hazardous weapons are tested) are sprayed each year with herbicide, which keeps the targets clear of vegetation, thus ensuring the safest possible environment for EOD personnel to complete their job. Eliminating the vegetation furthermore reduces the risk of costly and dangerous range fires, by decreasing the likelihood that detonating munitions on the target pad will spark a blaze. Aerial application as defined in Air Force Instruction 32-1074, is the only method used to ensure thorough and proper coverage of the vast acreage of the test range. Spraying of selected targets is accomplished by the 757th Aerial Spray Squadron (AS/DOS) using C-130 aircraft equipped with three module configurations, Modular Aerial Spray Systems (MASS). The 757th deploys to HAFB with specially trained and certified crews including maintenance personnel, aircrews, loadmasters and entomologist crews that monitor spray application. The Government is seeking sources of herbicides to be used in future spray operations. Products proposed must meet the minimum salient characteristics and be submitted to the Air Force with the appropriate EPA Approved Label and MSDS for review. Upon initial review and confirmation of salient characteristics, interested parties may be requested to submit samples of proposed products at the interested party's expense for use in Environmental Assessments and Effectiveness testing. Products approved through review of salient characteristics, Environmental Assessment and Effectiveness testing will be required to be listed on the Armed Forces Pest Management Board (http://afpmb.org/sites/default/files/pubs/standardlists/dod_pesticides_list.pdf) in accordance with DoD Policy (DoD Instruction 4150.07). Salient Characteristics Products seeking approval must meet the aforementioned minimum salient characteristics: - Be aerially applicable to subject area INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO RIGHTS OF WAY. - Be effective, primarily against "Cheatgrass" (Bromus tectorum), Russian Thistle (Salsola Tragus l), Summer Cypruss (Coshia Scoparia), Flixweed or Tansy Mustard (Sisybrium Sophia), Tumbling Mustard (Sisymbrium Altissimum), Halogeton (Halogeton Glomeratus), and other hazardous vegetation. - Approved for use and have application instructions for aerial spray use with sustained cross-winds in excess of 10 mph. - Be approved for application in the Target Aerial Spray Operation project EA. To be considered, a report of environmental testing (if available), a complete EPA approved label and product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) must be provided to the following individual via electronic mail (email) for review: Mr. Jeffrey Brady AFMC 75 CES/CEOIE Jeffrey.brady@us.af.mil Upon initial confirmation of the subject product's conformance with the above mentioned salient characteristics, documentation provided will be forwarded to the AFMC & AFSPC Entomologist for coordination of review. At this time a request for a product sample may be made and must be supplied at the interested party's expense for coordination of testing for local use. Failure of the interested party to provide samples will be considered non-responsive and therefore conclude the subject product's review.