SOLICITATION NOTICE
F -- Utah - Noxious Weed Spraying - Combination Synopsis/Solicitation
- Notice Date
- 3/18/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- BLM UTAH STATE OFFICE 324 SOUTH STATE ST., 4TH FLOOR P.O. BOX 45155 SALT LAKE CITY UT 84145
- ZIP Code
- 84145
- Solicitation Number
- JSQ054047
- Response Due
- 3/31/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/18/2006
- 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 JSQ054047. 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 St. George Field Office. PLEASE CONTACT SUSAN COWIN AT (801)539-4177 FOR FAX (801)539-4222 OR DAVE CORRY AT (435)688-3256 FAX (435)688-3252 FOR MAPS OF THE TREATMENT AREAS. STATEMENT OF WORK: GENERAL: The goal of this proposal is to 1) eventually eradicate Scotch Thistle from BLM administered lands within the St George Field Office area and 2) suppress or control hoary cress in the Black Ridge area. Weed control will be accomplished by ground application of herbicides and/or hand cutting. Refer to the maps which show the general locations of this project. DESCRIPTION OF WORK: 1) Weed Treatment: Application of herbicides in solution and/or hand cutting (scotch thistle) with (contractor-furnished) property. SCOTCH THISTLE: A description of the work setting for scotch thistle 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 10 acres where plants are fairly consistent across the area (see attached maps). Thistle plants may be in all stages of growth, including seedlings, rosettes and maturing plants with flower stalks. There are an estimated 4,300 acres of public land that needs to be searched for various densities of these weeds. Actual acres requiring herbicide or hand cutting treatment will be much less than the 4,300 acres. The lower elevation infestations will mature earliest and will then need to be treated first, beginning in early to mid- April. Specific start date will be determined with the successful offeror at the Pre-work Meeting. A time period is allowed to provide for weeds at varying elevations to be treated at the most appropriate times, with all areas being completed no later than May 31st, 2004. The following is a general time frame based on past experience but actual dates may differ due to environmental factors which vary from year to year. Weed treatment will follow the following order and approximate begin dates: Little Creek Mtn area 05/01 2,074 acres Black Ridge area 05/10 2,017 acres Smith Mesa area 05/10 185 acres HOARY CRESS (white top): The work setting for Hoary Cress will generally be patches of from a few plants to populations covering up to an acre. These patches are scattered over a 1,718 acre area (see map) and the entire 1,718 acres will need to be searched. Based on previous treatment of this area it is anticipated that the actual amount of area needing treatment (i.e. if all areas treated were consolidated into one patch) would be approximately 45 acres. This may vary depending on precipitation and the effectiveness of the previous year's treatment. For best control the herbicide will be applied during the bud to early bloom stage which is anticipated to occur in mid April. Hoary Cress control will be completed by 4/30/04. Due to its rhizomatous root system hand cutting of Hoary Cress is ineffectual and will not be allowed as a control method. ALL WEEDS: Actual begin dates will be coordinated between the contractor and COR. If weed infestations outside the mapped areas are located by the contractor or others, the COR will be informed and a decision made by the CO as to whether the area will be treated. Additional areas, approved prior to treatment, will be completed and paid for as described in section B, #2. Terrain and access for the Black Ridge area is difficult. The surface is generally rocky given the volcanic nature of this area. Also, juniper trees have recently been cut over much of the area and are laying on the ground adding to the difficulty of maneuvering through the area on ATV's. As indicated, the entire project areas must be searched to find the scattered weed infestations. To find the required 85% minimum of all Scotch Thistle and Hoary Cress requires an intense search defined for the purposes of this contract as: traversing the project areas in an organized manner starting at one end and progressing back and forth in a grid like manner until the entire area is completed. Traverses will need to be about 50 ft apart but will depend on the stage of the weed plant growth (how visible it is) and the type of surrounding vegetation (ex. cheatgrass or sagebrush). The Contract Officer Representative or Project Inspector on site will make recommendations to the contractor with the Contracting Officer having the final determination in case of disputes. The power line, gas line and fiber optic right of ways (ROW's) in the Black Ridge Area are part of this contract and the contractor will expected to treat weeds on these ROWs. 2) Weed Mapping: Contractor is required to record the weed locations on a GPS (Geographical Positioning System) unit and also categorize the weed infestation as to species and size. The recordation will be completed to the following specifications and submitted to the BLM upon completion of the contract and before final payment. GPS units used must have an accuracy rating of at least 15 meters. All GPS data should be submitted using the following format: Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Datum: North American Datum of 1927 Zone: 12 Units: Meters If Trimble GPS units are used, both .cor and .ssf files should be submitted as well as the corresponding ArcView shapefiles. This format is preferred. If consumer-grade GPS units are used, all GPS data should be submitted as a delimited text file in the following format: Projection: Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Datum: North American Datum of 1927 Zone: 12 Units: Meters The following shows the text file format and an example. Note there are no spaces in the text file. Submission of any other format may result in rejection of the data. Northing,Easting,Point_Name,Species,Size 4356221,342378,point_1,thistle,1/10acre LOCATION: Work under this Contract is located on BLM lands in Washington County, Utah. The work locations are shown on the attached maps. ACCESS TO THE WORK: Dirt roads and off-road travel by vehicle and/or foot travel. CERTIFICATION: Contractor will show to BLM that all applicators are certified by the State of Utah as "commercial herbicide applicator". The contractor must verify that applicators are certified prior to contract award. WORK LIMITS: The Government will define, with maps, the outer perimeter of areas to be treated. Perimeters adjacent to State or private lands will be identified on the maps and shown to the contractor in the field. Due to the variable terrain, elevation and limited access an on site inspections by potential bidders, prior to bidding on the contract, are highly recommended. Searches and weed control in the Black Ridge area will not be required in the mature tree portions of the Project Area. The total acreage of mature tree areas is estimated to be approximately 350 acres. Also, a recent tree thinning project completed in the Black Ridge area will make access somewhat more difficult. A field trip (show me tour) is scheduled for March 29, 2005, 8:30am, meeting at 345 East Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah, allowing for those who so desire to be guided through the project areas. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. No less than 85 percent of all plants of the target species listed above on all sites within the identified perimeters must be treated with herbicide or hand cut. This includes plants in all growth stages from seedlings to maturing plants. The intent is for all plants to be killed prior to seed maturity. For Scotch Thistle, plants controlled using herbicide must be treated before the flower starts opening. Plants with open flowers must be hand cut. A site is defined as anywhere at least one plant occurs. Meeting this requirement may be difficult on many areas without spending an adequate amount of time. Due to the habitat range and growth habits of Scotch thistle, it can be difficult to locate and remove. Monitoring for compliance will be completed by BLM. 2. Beginning of weed treatment is dictated by the phenological progression of the plants. Hoary cress treatment will be completed no later than 04/30/04 and scotch thistle no later than 05/31/04. Delays due to weather conditions (stop work order) will be considered in extending the length of the contract. 3. Contractor must return to the site and retreat any areas which are not in compliance with treatment specifications. Failure to do so will result in the penalty described in section F(a). These treatment specifications as found in this contract are those described under C.1.6., C.3.O, C.3.1., C.3.2 4. The contractor will provide a schedule of proposed treatment dates 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. 5. All herbicides will be applied in accordance with EPA labels and in compliance with all guidelines and restrictions. 6. Contractor will complete an 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 have available an ATV with pressurized spray equipment and hose attachments mounted on the vehicles. ATV's and/or truck mounted spray rigs are recommended to assist in covering the areas. Back pack pumps or shovels are also recommended to cover areas which are difficult to reach with trucks or ATV's. METHOD OF TREATMENT: The weed plants can, generally, be treated by use of either herbicide or hand cutting or a combination of both. Scotch thistle plants with open flowers, as determined by the authorized officer, will be hand cut. HERBICIDE METHOD: If treatment by herbicide is used, the following will apply. 1. Herbicide and Dye: For Scotch Thistle, mix shall conform to the following: a tank mix of 32 oz 2,4-D, and 8oz Picloram per acre. For Hoary Cress, mix shall be: 1 oz. Escort (metsulfuron) per acre which should be premixed to ensure solution before adding to the tank. Effective tank agitation is required to keep herbicide in solution. Tank solution will include 25 gallons water with ph between 6.5 and 7.5. All herbicides, surfactants, and dyes used must be on the BLM approved list (see attachment). Surfactants and dyes will be used at recommended rates and in accordance with the product label. Surfactants used with Escort must be nonionic. 2. Spray Nozzles: Spray rigs shall be equipped with nozzles capable of uniform distribution at the specified rate. 3. Mixing Equipment: Contractor shall furnish any equipment required for mixing treatment material. The treatment material will be mixed according to the label. It can be mixed on site as needed. Water sources will be arranged for by the contractor. 4. Ground Crew: Shall be furnished by the contractor. 5. Weather Conditions: Application of treatment chemicals shall not be done when the wind exceeds 6 miles per hour. Herbicide will not be applied when inclement weather conditions, (rain, hail, sleet, snow) is forecast within 6 hours following a planned treatment. Also, herbicide will not be applied for at least 1 hour after receiving moisture from a weather storm. 6. Rate of Application: Scotch Thistle will be treated with 2,4-D at 32 oz/ac mixed with picloram at 8oz/ac in a tank mix which includes approximately 25 gal water/ac (buffered if needed). Hoary Cress will be treated with Escort at 1 oz tank mixed with 25 gallons of water per acre. Non ionic surfactant and dye will be included at rates recommended on product labels. 7. Areas of Application: See attached maps. 8. 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, 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. 9. Growth Stage: Scotch Thistle plants will be found in all growth stages. This includes seedlings, rosettes, and maturing plants with flower stalks. Hoary Cress should be found in the active vegetative growth to early bloom stage. HAND CUTTING METHOD: Hoary cress has a rhizomatous root system and as such is useless to hand cut at the surface. Only herbicide treatment is acceptable for this species. The scotch thistle 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. Hand cutting should be completed with the least amount of soil disturbance possible. If small weed plants and seedlings are uprooted while cutting, the plants will be separated from all soil material. If Scotch thistle plants are found which are in open flower, as determined by the authorized officer, they 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. Suggested hand tools for cutting plants, are shovels and grubbing hoes. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY: None. INSPECTIONS 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 FOR 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) of the contractor and approval of 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: 52.212-01, 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; 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.222-21; Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.225-1, Buy American Act-Supplies; 52.232-29, Terms for Financing of Purchase of Commercial Items; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party; 52.222-41, Service Contact Act; 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires; 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act - Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts; 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract - Price Adjustments; 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; 52.233-2, Service of Protest; 9.1452.233, Service of Protest - Department of the Interior (Deviation); 52.237-01, Site Visit; 9.1510-016, Fire Danger Season; 9.1510.015, Work Hours; 9.1510.305, Notice to Proceed; 9.1510.304, Pre-work Conference; 9.1510.283, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The North American Industry Classification System Number for this procurement is 115112. This procurement is 100% set-aside for small business. See Numbered Note 1.
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