Systematic Aquatic Herbicide to Control Variable Milfoil and Fanwort at Buffumville Lake, Charlton MA

Description and Background: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District is issuing a set aside for certified small business contractors for apply a systematic aquatic herbicide to control variable milfoil and fanwort at Buffumville Lake in Charlton MA. The contractor will be required to submit verification that their license as a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Authorized Application is current and in good standing. Buffumville Lake consists of the Buffumville Dam and associated dike and weir. The only surface water body includes Buffumville Lake, approximately 200 acres. During normal flow periods, water flows from the Little River at the north and South Fork River at the south end into Buffumville Lake. Water continues from the lake out the dam and converges with the French River, 1.3 miles downstream in Oxford, Massachusetts. During floods, flows held back by Buffumville Dam flood both government and easement lands around the lake. Flows are released as soon as possible. Buffumville Lake Park and boat ramp are both heavily used recreation areas. Buffumville Park has a swimming beach, picnic area and two shelters that are open for the summer season on May 21, 2016. Treatment of Buffumville Park includes areas surrounding the swimming beach. Heavy infestation of variable milfoil, fanwort, and traces of Eurasian milfoil occurs throughout the entire lake. Emphasis for control will focus on areas in the north section of the lake located in and around the Buffumville Lake Park swimming beach and the 4-8ft water depth zone around the north end of the lake. The third area of concern is located in the 4-8ft zone around the boat ramp on the south section of the lake The lake has not been treated with chemicals and each year there is more infestation. During the winter of 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 the lake was drawn down to expose the root systems to the cold temperatures. The drawdown appears to have been successful at slowing down the weed growth rate. The estimated cost of this procurement is between $25,000 and $50,000. The applicable NAICS code is 561730 with a Small Business Size Standard is $7,500,000. The work will be completed no later than 45 days after contract award. Contract award will be set aside for Small Businesses. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which will be considered by the New England District. Please note this solicitation is set aside for certified small businesses. This is not a request for proposals at this time, the solicitation requirements and contract documents to include instructions for submission and the response date will be available on or about June 10, 2016. Neither telephonic, mailed nor faxed requests for hard copies of this solicitation will be accepted. The solicitation will only be available online; in order to download the solicitation offerors must access the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov). All responsible sources may submit a bid which shall be considered by the New England District.