SOLICITATION NOTICE
F -- Utah - Noxious Weed Spraying
- Notice Date
- 4/1/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- BLM UTAH STATE OFFICE 324 SOUTH STATE ST., SUITE 301 P.O. BOX 45155 SALT LAKE CITY UT 84145
- ZIP Code
- 84145
- Solicitation Number
- JSQ044038
- Response Due
- 4/16/2004
- Archive Date
- 3/30/2005
- Point of Contact
- Susan Cowin Contracting Officer 8015394177 susan_cowin@blm.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Email your questions to Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The Bureau of Land Management, Utah State Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, has a requirement for noxious weed (Scotch Thistle, Whitetop, Knapweed & Broadleaf Pepperweed) control by ground application. 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. The Solicitation Number for this Request for Quotes is JSQ044038. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-20, dated February 23, 2004. Contractor is to provide all equipment, supplies, personnel and supervision to complete this requirement. Location of the treatment area is within the area of the Cedar City Field Office. PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN COWIN AT (801)539-4177 FOR FAX (801)539-4222 FOR MAPS OF THE TREATMENT AREAS. The area to be treated is located in Iron, beaver and Washington counties, Utah. The estimated total week area is approximately 2500 acres of BLM land. The areas to be treated range from scattered single plants, several plants at a location, concentrations of plants on approximately 1/10 acre and up to areas as large as 40 acres where plants are consistent across the area. A show-me tour is scheduled for APRIL 14, 2004, 8:00, to meet at the Cedar City BLM Office on April 14, 2004 at 10:00am. STATEMENT OF WORK: Noxious weed (Scotch Thistle, Whitetop, Knapweed, Broadleaf pepperweed) control by ground application of herbicides and/or hand cutting. The goal of this proposal is to eventually eradicate these species on BLM administered lands within the area of the Cedar City Field Office. This area is Iron and Beaver Counties and a small part of Washington County. Refer to the map which shows locations of general areas of noxious weeds. b. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: 1.Application of herbicides in solution and/or hand cutting with (contractor-furnished) property. A description of the work setting is as follows: The areas to be treated range from scattered single plants, several plants at a location, concentrations of plants on approximately 1/10 acre and up to areas as large as 40 acres where plants are consistent across the area (see attached maps). The areas shown on the maps to designate the weed areas are either solid marked (approx. 1 acre or less) or crosshatched (larger than 1 acre) to provide an indication of the area containing noxious weed species. The areas of Whitetop, Knapweed, and Broadleaf pepperweed are noted on the maps next to the mapped area. All other mapped areas are Scotch Thistle. Scotch Thistle plants will be in all stages of growth, including seedlings, rosettes and maturing plants with flower stalks. Estimated total acres of weed areas on the field office area is 2500 acres of BLM land. This is not to mean that 2500 acres are covered with the target species. It is to mean that there are approximately 2500 acres, which contain the target species in various densities. Of the total acres, approx. 2220 acres are Scotch thistle, approx. 275 acres is whitetop and the remaining acres are Knapweed and broadleaf pepperweed. The areas shown on the attached maps comprise much more than 2500 acres but are shown on the maps as such to reflect the amount of area which must be covered in order to locate the weed areas. 2. All areas of Whitetop, Knapweed, and broadleaf pepperweed will be treated first. The Scotch thistle areas in Iron and Washington counties will then be treated, followed by Scotch thistle in Beaver County. If weed areas outside the mapped areas are located by the contractor, the COR will be informed and a decision made by the COR as to whether the area will be treated. If areas outside the mapped areas are treated by the contractor without prior approval, no payment will be made for these areas. Additional areas approved for treatment will be completed and paid for as described in Item No. 2, SF-18 Request for Quotation. LOCATION: Work under this Contract is located on BLM lands in Iron and Beaver Counties and a small part of Washington County, Utah. The work locations are shown on the attached maps. Whitetop, Knapweed, and broadleaf pepperweed areas are designated as such. All other areas are Scotch thistle. d. ACCESS TO THE WORK: Dirt roads and off-road travel by vehicle and/or foot travel. CERTIFICATION: Contractor will furnish to BLM, a copy of written certification from the supplier of the herbicides that it conforms to the requirements of this contract. Also, will furnish to BLM, a copy of the certification that the contractor and any employees who will apply chemicals are certified commercial herbicide applicators. This certification must be supplied to BLM prior to start of work on the contract. WORK LIMITS: The Government will define with maps the outer perimeter of areas to be treated and areas within such perimeter, if any, which are to be excluded from treatment. Perimeters adjacent to State or private lands will be identified on the maps and shown to the contractor in the field. On site inspections by potential bidders, prior to bidding on the contract, are highly recommended. This is due to the high variability, from year to year, in density of the target species and other site conditions. g. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: No less than 95 percent of all plants of the target species listed above on all sites within the identified perimeters must be killed by treatment with either herbicide or by hand cutting. A site is defined as anywhere at least one plant occurs. Plants may be in all growth stages from seedlings to maturing plants. The intent is for all plants to be killed prior to flowering. However, any plants treated in the flower stage must be killed before the flowers begin to dry up. If Scotch thistle plants are found which are beginning to flower, or are in any other stage of active flowering, these plants will not be treated with herbicide but will be cut down and all flower heads separated from the plant. These flower heads can be left on site. The flower of Scotch thistle is colored purple. Any shade of purple, which is visible from start of flowering through full flowering, will be the plants not treated with herbicide. The project inspector will determine when plants are showing the purple color and will, immediately, inform the contractor. Any Scotch thistle plants with at least one flower which has begun to dry up to the point that the project inspector determines the plant will produce viable seed, will be considered not treatable under this contract. If this occurs, the contract will be adjusted down by percentage of total acres which become not treatable. This percentage will be determined by the COR. To meet this requirement may be difficult on some areas and involves spending an adequate amount of time. Due to the habitat range and growth habits if Scotch thistle, it can be difficult to locate and time consuming to treat. Monitoring for compliance will be completed by BLM. The method of monitoring will be agreed by BLM and the contractor. The treatment will be in the spring. Beginning of treatment is dictated by the phenological progression of the plants. Start of treatment is after emergence of spring seedlings and well before any of the plants have started to form flower heads. Contractor must return to the site and retreat any areas which are not in compliance with treatment specifications within 3 days of being informed of the noncompliance. Failure to do so will result in the penalty. These treatment specifications as found in this contract are those described in the Statement of Work. A schedule of proposed treatment dates will be supplied to the COR. This will be updated each week if changes are needed. Contractor will report to the COR at least once weekly as to the progress of the project. This may be done through the project inspector. All herbicides will be applied in accordance with EPA labels and in compliance with all guidelines and restrictions. Contractor will complete a herbicide application form as required for BLM files. This form will be completed daily and all forms returned to BLM prior to final payment of the contract. The forms will by supplied by BLM. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS: All personnel, materials, and equipment required to complete the project. This includes herbicide application equipment, vehicles, fuel, dye, water, and any other associated tools and equipment. It is recommended that the contractor furnish minimum of two crews and vehicles equipped with pressurized spray equipment with hose attachments mounted on the vehicles. ATVs are recommended to assist in covering the areas. Back pack pumps or hand tools are also recommended to cover areas which are difficult to reach with trucks or ATVs. METHOD OF TREATMENT: The weed plants can, generally, be treated by use of either herbicide or hand cutting or a combination of both. Two exceptions to this are as follows. 1- Approximately one third of the area of broadleaf pepperweed will require hand cutting. These are the plants which are near or in live water. The area containing these plants is on approximately one third of an acre. 2- Scotch thistle plants which are in any part of the flowering stage will be hand cut. This does not include plants on which the flowers are drying up. These plants are considered to be not treatable under this contract. HERBICIDE METHOD: If treatment by herbicide is used, the following will apply. Herbicide and Dye: Shall conform to the following: Weedmaster (Dicamba + 2,4-D), Picloram (Tordon 22K), Escort XP (Metsulfuron methyl). Also, a vegetation dye will be included in the fluid mixture at all times. The dye will be a highly contrasting color to the vegetation it is applied on. It will be applied in sufficient amounts so as to be highly visible for at least 3 days following application unless it is removed by precipitation. Spray Nozzles: Spray rigs shall be equipped with nozzles capable of uniform distribution at the specified rate. Mixing Equipment: Contractor shall furnish the agitator and mixing tank for mixing treatment material. The treatment material will be mixed according to the label. It can be mixed on site as needed. Water sources for this will be arranged for by the contractor. Ground Crew: Shall be furnished by the contractor. Weather Conditions: Application of treatment chemicals shall not be done when the wind velocity exceeds 6 miles per hour for 1 hour or more. Herbicide will not be applied when inclement weather conditions (rain, hail, sleet and snow) is forecast within 12 hours following a planned treatment. Also, herbicide will not be applied for at least 12 hours after receiving moisture from a weather storm. Rate of Application: Weedmaster at no less than 1.5 pound and no more than 3 pound active ingredient per acre. Tordon 22K at no less than 1 pound and no more than 2 pound active ingredient per acre. Escort XP at no less than .038 pound and no more than .075 pound active ingredient per acre. Areas of Application: Approximately 20 percent of the treat areas will receive Tordon 22K. These areas are (1) all areas east of Interstate Highway I-15 from highway U-20 area south to Kanarraville area. This is the Parowan front area. (2) The areas on Quichapa area and New Harmony chaining. These areas are west and northwest of Kanarraville (see attached maps). Approximately 70 percent of the treat areas will receive Weedmaster and the remaining 10 percent of the treat areas will receive Escort XP. Transportation of Herbicide: The Contractor shall load and transport herbicide from the contractor's home base to the work site and between sites according to all applicable laws and regulations. Upon completion of the work or termination of the contract, all unused herbicide shall be returned by the contractor to the contractor's home base. All used containers and other materials to be disposed of will be done according to the label. Growth Stage: Plants will be found in all growth stages. This includes seedlings, rosettes, and maturing plants with stalks and pre-flower buds. HAND CUTTING METHOD: If treatment by hand cutting is used, the plants can be cut during inclement weather, providing the surface of the ground is visible. The plants can be cut at the ground surface but all vegetative plant material (all basal leaves) must be severed from the root. It is not necessary to dig up the root. All hand cutting must be completed by disturbing the least amount of soil. If small plants and seedlings are uprooted while cutting, the plants will be separated from all soil material. Suggested hand tools for cutting plants are shovels, pulaskis, and hoes. GOVERNMENT -FURNISHED PROPERTY: None. INSPECTION: The Contracting Officer or COR will make inspections as a basis for payments and recommendations for adjustments in work quality. The Contractor is encouraged to observe inspections while they are being made and have a supervisor on site to confer with the Contracting Officer or COR. ACCEPTANCE: Work performed according to the specifications will be considered acceptable for payment purposes. MEASUREMENT OF PAYMENT: Final payment will be based on completion and acceptance of the job. When a minimum of 50% of the job is completed, a partial payment may be made upon request (by proper invoice) by the Contractor and approval by the COR. BASIS OF PAYMENT: Compliance with all specifications in section C. PAYMENT: Prices and payment will be full compensation for the work described in this section. TIMING OF PAYMENT: Following completion of the job. The following FAR Clauses are applicable under this solicitation/synopsis: 52.212-0, Instructions to Offerors; 52.212-2, Evaluation of Offerors; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions; 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items; 9.1452.212-05, Contract Terms and Conditions- Department of the Interior (Deviation); 52.204-06, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number; 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration; 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (Alternate 1); 52.213-02, Invoices; 52.223-03, Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data, 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances; 52.228-5, Insurance Work on a Government Installation; 52.246-20, Warranty of Services; 52.233-3; Protest After Award; 9.552.232-73, Electronic Funds Transfer Payment. The North American Industry Classification System Number for this procurement is 115112. Date for receipt of quotes is April 16, 2004.
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- SN00558433-W 20040403/040401212415 (fbodaily.com)
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