PRESOL | F | CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF KUDZU

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JULY 11, 2010 FBO #3151
SOLICITATION NOTICE

F -- CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF KUDZU

Notice Date: 7/9/2010
Notice Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Contracting Office: IMR - BITH - Big Thicket National Preserve 6044 FM 420 RD. KOUNTZE TX 77625
ZIP Code: 77625
Solicitation Number: N7140100037
Response Due: 8/9/2010
Archive Date: 7/9/2011
Point of Contact: Pollard Mobley Contracting Officer 4099516814 pollard_mobley@nps.gov;
E-Mail Address: 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: 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; a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number N7140100037 is issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ) to provide chemical treatment of Kudzu (Pueraria montana) infestations at various locations along the Mississippi portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway (NATR) and Vicksburg National Military Park (VICK) during one spring-summer and one summer-fall period. The Contractor shall furnish all necessary vehicles, personnel, material, equipment, services and facilities The incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-17. The applicable NAICS number is 115112 and a small business size standard is 500 employees. This is Total Small Business Set Aside procurement. SCOPE OF WORK - Exotic pest plants are species of plants that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced into an area outside of their natural range. The invasion of exotic pest plants is one of the many serious threats facing the Natchez Trace Parkway and Vicksburg National Military Park today. If exotic pest plants are not actively managed or controlled, the integrity of floral and faunal resources is at risk of significant degradation or loss. A member of the Pea or bean family (Fabaceae), Kudzu is an exotic plant species first brought to the United States from China around 1876, primarily to control erosion but also to provide cattle an additional forage plant. It is a highly aggressive, semi-woody perennial vine capable of growing 60 feet per year. The result is a dense blanket of foliage that chokes out both woody and herbaceous native vegetation, resulting in large-scale alternation of natural communities. Kudzu leaves are alternate and compound, with each of three leaflets entire or deeply 2-3 lobed and with hairy margins. Flowers are purple, fragrant, about 0.5 inches long, and resemble pea flowers in shape. Management Guidelines and AuthoritiesNPS management policies mandate the control of exotic species up to and including total eradication when practical or whenever such species threaten protection or interpretation of resources being preserved on NPS lands. Authorities to control exotic plants on park lands include but are not limited to the following Public Laws and Federal Regulations:(1) Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, Public Law 94-579;(2) Reclamation Act of 1902, 32 Stat 388(3) The "Carlson-Folry Act" Public Law 90-583(4) Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974, Public Law 93-629, as amended.(5) Endangered Species Act. Public Law 93-205, as amended.(6) National Park Service Organic Act, 39 Stat. 535(7) Departmental Manual, Pesticide Use Policy, 517(8) Executive Orders: 11514, 11738, and 11987. Project Locations and DescriptionOver 100 acres of Kudzu have been mapped in the Mississippi portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This 100+ acre total is contained in 20 or so discreet locations spread out over 250 miles. Each infestation ranges in size from about 1/4 acre to 25 acres. Approximately 30 acres of Kudzu are located within Vicksburg National Military Park (NMP), with infestations ranging from 1/10 acre to 10 acres. Primary focus will be on the treatment of the larger infestations located at Vicksburg NMP and the large 1+ acre infestations located in the Mississippi portions of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Funding availability may limit the amount of infestation that can be treated. Thus, the Kudzu acreage available to be treated under this SOW will be located at ten or more sites between Natchez, MS and the Alabama state line and within Vicksburg NMP (see attached maps) and not exceed 100 acres in total. Upon award of contract, more detailed maps delineating each infestation to be treated shall be made available to the contractor. Phase I consists of an initial spring-summer (May/June 2011) herbicide and mechanical treatment of Kudzu present in each treatment area. Mechanical treatment should proceed the chemical treatment, and consist of cutting all Kudzu vines growing up the sides of trees. Each vine should be cut and the lower portion stump (basally) treated with Garlon. Foliar herbicide application can then proceed; making sure to treat all vines pulled to the ground. Phase II consists of the re-treatment of all Phase I sites in the Summer/Fall (August/September 2011). Phase II may not involve a mechanical treatment. Treatment MethodsHerbicide application shall be the primary control method used. The method of herbicide application is currently restricted to direct plant (foliar) and cut stump applications. Herbicide Use and ApprovalThe National Park Service (NPS) / Department of the interior (DOI) has approved Transline and Garlon for treating Kudzu at NATR and VICK. Transline is selective for Legumes only and will minimally impact non-target, native plant species in the treated areas. Garlon 4 or chemical equivalent shall be used for cut stump applications unless Garlon 3A or chemical equivalent is indicated by the presence of surface water. Garlon 3A shall be used for foliar applications at all sites along the Natchez Trace Parkway and Vicksburg National Military Park (VICK) where surface water is present. The NPS will specify areas where Transline foliar applications are desired in lieu of Galon 3A in order to preserve desirable grass cover. If the contractor wishes to utilize herbicides other than Transline or Garlon, the contractor shall submit a pesticide use proposal to the BITH Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) at least two weeks prior to expected application. When a Pesticide Use Proposal is submitted, convincing evidence of the effectiveness and safety of the proposed treatment in a habitat similar to that found at NATR and VICK shall accompany the proposal. After reviewing the supporting documents submitted by the contractor, the contracting officer shall approve or disapprove, or require the submission of additional data that may be required to make a decision. The contractor shall be requested to possess all chemical applicators licenses, certificates of training and permits required by the state of Mississippi. Evidence of this documentation shall be presented to the COTR prior to initiating on the ground control efforts. Use of chemicals on NPS lands shall strictly adhere to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, manufacturers label directions, state of Mississippi pesticide laws and NPS regulations to include label restrictions for use over standing water. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shall conform to label requirements. Foliar ApplicationAll herbicide formulations utilized will include a dye (red dye preferred) in order to facilitate determination of treated areas. The herbicide formulation for Kudzu control shall be per label directions for foliar applications. Applications cannot be made when winds exceed 10 mph, if rain is expected within four hours or where adjacent native vegetation could be subjected to damage by spray drift. Data CollectionThe ground crew supervisor is responsible for collecting the following daily data: Kudzu location named location at Vicksburg NMP or nearest tenth of a mile along the Natchez Trace Parkway, treatment date, herbicide formulation and volume used, number of applicators, and hours worked. This information will be supplied daily to the NPS Exotic Plant Management Team (EPMT) Crew Leader in charge. Supplies and EquipmentThe contractor will be responsible for providing herbicide applicators with all supplies and equipment for exotic plant (Kudzu) control including vehicles, herbicide, herbicide dyes and adjuvants, sprayers, hand tools, gloves, safety equipment etc. Field Personnel Qualifications Crew Members and supervisors: All personnel performing exotic plant control operations shall posses the following minimum qualifications. 1.Ability to correctly identify Kudzu in the field.2.Ability to mix, handle, and apply herbicides in accordance with label directions and crew supervisor instructions.3.Ability to handle and maintain tools, equipment, and supplies in good working order for daily operations.4.Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions including: high humidity and temperatures, inclement weather, exposure to poisonous plants and reptiles and biting insects, and difficult terrain (steep slopes and dense thickets). Deliverables and Timetable Four deliverables are required under this SOW:1)Phase I treatments shall be completed by June 30, 2011.2)Phase II treatments shall be completed by September 30, 2011.3)A Phase I report shall be prepared and submitted to the EPMT Crew Leader by July 15th, 2011. This report shall include a list of sites treated, dates treated, approximate time spent per site, number of applicators, and the quantity of herbicide used per site.4)A final report shall be prepared and submitted to the EPMT Crew Leader by October 15th, 2011. The final report shall include Phase II results and project summaries such as treatment dates, approximate time spent per site, number of applicators, the quantity of herbicide used per site, effectiveness of Phase I treatment. Recommendations for further treatments will be prepared by the EPMT Crew Leader based upon site inspections and information obtained from these reports. information obtained from these reports.This project is a lump sum contract and subject to the Service Contract Act of 1965. Interested parties should visit the project site. To set up a site visit or for technical questions, contact Eric Worsham, 409-363-3609. The following provisions and clauses are applicable to this acquisition and are available at http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions of Offerors-Commercial Items, FAR 52.231-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, FAR 52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency, FAR 52.323-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer- Central Contractor Registration. FAR 52.222-3 Convict Labor; FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; FAR 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans; FAR 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, and 52-228-70, Liabiloity Insurance. Bid Opening will be August 9, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., mail bid to National Park Service, Big Thicket National Preserve, 6044 FM 420, Kountze, Texas 77625, Attn: Pollard Mobley. Provide cover letter with TIN and DUNS numbers. The Government anticipates award of a firm-fixed price contract on or before August 20, 2010. CCR requirement - Company must be registered on Central Contractors Register (CCR) before an award can be made. Register at www.ccr.gov. For additional information regarding this solicitation, please contact Pollard Mobley, Contract Specialist, by email at pollard_mobley@nps.gov, Phone No.: 409-951-6814, OR 409-790-0799, CELL. COR/COTR AUTHORITIES AND DELEGATIONS(a) The Contracting Officer is the only individual authorized to enter into or terminate this contract, modify any term or condition of this contract, waive any requirement of this contract, or accept nonconforming work.(b) The Contracting Officer will designate a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at time of award. The COR will be responsible for technical monitoring of the contractor's performance and deliveries. The COR will be appointed in writing, and a copy of the appointment will be furnished to the Contractor. Changes to this delegation will be made by written changes to the existing appointment or by issuance of a new appointment. The COR for this contract will be: ERIC WORSHAM, BIG THICKET NATIONAL PRESERVE, 3755 MILAM, SUITE C, BEAUMONT, TX 77701, EMAIL: eric_worsham@nps.gov; Phone No.: 409-363-3609. PROHIBITION ON TEXT MESSAGING AND USING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT SUPPLIED BY THE GOVERNMENT WHILE DRIVING Executive Order 13513 Prohibition on Text Messaging and Using Electronic Equipment Supplied by the Government while Driving. As prescribed in Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving Prohibition on Text Messaging and Using Electronic Equipment Supplied by the Government while Driving (Oct, 2009) This Executive Order introduces a Federal Government-wide Prohibition on the use of text messaging while driving on official business or while using Government -supplied equipment. Additional guidance enforcing the ban will be issued at a later date. In the meantime, please adopt and enforce policies that immediately ban text messaging while driving company-owned or -rented vehicles, government-owned or leased vehicles, or while driving privately owned vehicles when on official government business or when performing any work for or on the behalf of the government.
Web Link: FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOI/NPS/APC-IS/N7140100037/listing.html)
Place of Performance: Address: Natchez Trace ParkwayTupelo, MS 38804662-680-4025ANDVicksburg NMPVicksburg, MS 39183601-619-2902; Zip Code: 388044025
Record: SN02200560-W 20100711/100709234714-5a0441904e4db97e433add4623993166 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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F -- CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF KUDZU