SOLICITATION NOTICE
F -- Pest control/landscape maintenance for Big Island NWRC
- Notice Date
- 8/19/2015
- Notice Type
- Presolicitation
- NAICS
- 561730
— Landscaping Services
- Contracting Office
- FWS, DIVISION OF CONTRACTING AND GE EASTSIDE FEDERAL COMPLEX 911 NE 11TH AVENUE PORTLAND OR 97232-4181 US
- ZIP Code
- 00000
- Solicitation Number
- F15PS01096
- Response Due
- 9/3/2015
- Archive Date
- 9/18/2015
- Point of Contact
- Lautzenheiser, Karl
- Small Business Set-Aside
- Total Small Business
- Description
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a requirement for pest control/landscape maintenance for Big Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Hawaii County). Performance period is for a base year and project includes four option years to be exercised solely at the discretion of the Government. Project is a small business set-aside. Applicable NAICS code is 561730. Small business size is defined as $7.5 million or less annually when averaged over a three year period. If a site visit is desired, please contact Cashell Villa at (808) 443-2300, ext 229. Work is identified as follows: Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 39 road miles in a northwesterly direction from Hilo, Hawaii, and situated between 2,500 and 6,500 feet in elevation. The Kona Forest Unit, includes 5,300 acres on the drier, leeward side of the island and is approximately 100 miles from Hilo and 25 miles from Kona. The contract will focus on the application of herbicide on gorse, blackberry and holly, but may include other species found commonly on the Kona Unit. All are alien weeds responsible for degradation of native forest habitat. In addition, maintenance of the refuge units fuel breaks requiring mowing/maintenance to prevent wild land fires from entering the refuge units or fires escaping from the refuge unit to adjacent private or State lands will be conducted. Fence line brushing to prevent pest animal ingress and egress will also be conducted. The Pua Akala Management Unit in the southwest comer of the refuge is infested with gorse (Ulex europaeus), a weed native to northern Europe. A contractor is needed to provide equipment and labor to clear gorse and to spot-spray Garlon 3A and Garlon 4 herbicide (provided by the refuge) on gorse patches and individual gorse plants. The upper elevations of Shipman, Upper Honohina, Middle Honohina and Maulua Management Units are infested with prickly Florida blackberry (Rubus argutus), a weed native to the eastern United States. A contractor is needed to provide equipment and labor to spot-spray Garlon 3A herbicide (provided by the refuge) oti blackberry patches. Pua Akala and Shipman Management Units are infested with English Holly (!lex aquifolium) a weed native to England. A contractor is needed to provide equipment and labor to chemically, mechanically, and manually control holly plants (herbicide provided by the refuge). Brushing fencelines would include using mechanical equipment such as machetes, weed eaters, chain saws, or similar types of equipment to remove vegetation along the fenceline. A contractor is needed to provide equipment and labor to mechanically control weed species commonly found along fencelines. Herbicide may be used in some situations as is deemed necessary. The Hakalau Forest Unit has 14.7 miles of fuel break and numerous access roads that require maintenance by mowing grass and other vegetation. The Kona unit has approximately 17 miles of access roads that require maintenance by mowing grass and other vegetation. The fuel break and access roads are to be mowed approximately 25 feet wide and at an average height of 2"-3" (as terrain allows). Mowing will occur at intervals throughout the year as determined necessary by the Refuge Manager. 1.Description of Terrain and Weed Distribution Gorse: The gorse infestation occurs on open, rolling pasture land dissected with occasional gullies and generally sloping to the east. The area is vegetated with short grasses and fems and was continuously grazed by cattle for more than I 00 years until I 997. Gorse patches ranging in size from a few square feet to a few acres occur throughout the area. Individual plants may attain a height of eight feet or more. Mature plants and gorse seedlings will be treated with a "foliar" application of Garlon 3A mixed with water. Blackberry: The blackberry infestation occurs primarily within the middle elevation areas of the refuge in sunlit clearings within the forest. The open-to-closed forest canopy is dominated by native ohia and koa trees. The sub-canopy and understory is comprised of scattered native plants (ohelo, olapa, pilo, akala, kolea) which have been thinned over the past I 00 years by grazing cattle and pigs. Alien grasses (kikuyu, sweet vernal, and meadow ricegrass) dominate the forest floor but native fems (Dryopterus) are also common. Alien and native plants became more profuse when cattle were excluded from the areas a few years ago. Blackberry patches range in size from a few canes covering a couple of square feet to patches as large as half an acre. Off road hikes of 5-60 minutes through thick grass, scattered vegetation and uneven terrain may be required to access the blackberry patches. Refuge and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park staff have experimented with the application of herbicides to blackberry in the effort to maximize blackberry control while minimizing damage to nearby native plants. The procedures they worked out will be used by the contractor. English Holly: The holly infestation occurs primarily in the Pua Akala and Shipman Management Units, but may not be confined to these areas. English holly (Jlex aquafolia) was identified as a highest priority target invasive plant species in the Refuge's 2010 Comprehensive Conservation Plan. It is a tall shrub or small tree that can spread via seeds or vegetatively and can out-compete native species. Holly was originally planted around ranch buildings located in this area prior to establishment of the refuge. Hakalau area is one of few places where English holly is found in Hawaii. At this time the most effective means of control is via the cut-stump method. 2.Supplies, Materials, Labor and Equipment The refuge will provide Garlon 3A and Garlon 4 plus a silicon-based surfactant, crop oil, water and dye for mixing the spray formulations. Because the Hakalau Forest Unit is a two-hour drive from the nearest town (Hilo) and the Kona Unit is an hour drive from the nearest town (Kona), the refuge will provide shower and equipment wash-down facilities if needed. It may also be possible to house the contractor's work crew of 2-4 individuals in refuge cabins or other structures. The contractor will provide all other supplies, materials, labor and equipment. At least one 4x4 pickup truck is required for transport of crew, equipment, and drums of water and herbicide. A gas-powered pump, a 50+ gallon tank for mixing and holding herbicide, and two 200 foot hoses with spray wands mounted on an all-wheel drive tractor are required for applying herbicide in areas where gorse and blackberry concentrations are heavy. For mowing, a farm tractor with a minimum of 70hp and a 5-7 ft. mowing deck would be needed to minimize the number of passes to accomplish the 25 ft. standard. Each member of the work crew will need a backpack sprayer. Hand and gas powered equipment appropriate for brushing fencelines and mechanical removal of holly. 3.Job Description The Refuge Manager or his designee will direct the contractor's effort by designating gorse, blackberry, or holly is to be controlled and in what areas control will take place. The same individual will direct the fenceline brushing and fuel break mowing, areas of control and scheduling. Maps of target areas will be provided. a.Foliar Spray Application on Gorse A 2% solution of Garlon 3A mixed with water will be used for treating seedlings and mature gorse plants that have not been previously sprayed. The contractor will mix a 2% solution of Garlon 3A in water plus 0.2% silicon-based surfactant and apply the formulation at a rate not to exceed six pounds active ingredient (Triclopyr) per acre. A dye marker (2% Turf-trax) will also be added to prevent double spraying. Application will be spot-treatment, low-pressure spray applied by a hand-held wand to the foliage of living plants (foliar spray application). Gorse seedlings and mature plants will be thoroughly and completely wetted with the spray. b.Foliar Spray Application on Blackberry A 0.5% solution of Garlon 3A mixed with water will be used for spraying blackberry plants. The contractor will mix a 0.5% solution of Garlon 3A in water and apply the formulation at a rate not to exceed two pounds active ingredient (Triclopyr) per acre. A dye marker (2% Turf trax) will also be added to prevent double spraying. Application will be spot-treatment, low pressure spray applied by a hand-held wand to the foliage of living plants. Actively growing blackberry patches and individual plants will be thoroughly and completely wetted with the spray. c.Chemical, manual, and mechanical control of English Holly Holly plants less than 5 inches will be hand-pulled. All left over roots will be sprayed (see mixture below). Holly plants that cannot be hand-pulled will be controlled using the cut-stump method with application of 60% Garlon or Element 4 mixed with crop oil. Stumps must be cut at ground level. Frilling may need to be employed to ensure saturation of the stump. Small branches and plants must be hung off the ground on surrounding vegetation. Cut-ends of larger branches and trees that cannot be lifted must be treated with herbicide mixture to avoid re establishment of cut segments. Other methods such as foliar spraying may be employed at a later date. This would include plants that are greater than 5 inches and less than 6 feet. Application will be spot-treatment, low pressure spray applied by a hand-held want to the foliage of living plants. English holly plants and trees exceeding 5 inches and under 6 feet will be thoroughly and completely wetted with the spray. d.Brushing Fencelines The contractor will use mechanical equipment such as, but not limited to: machetes, weed eaters, chain saws, or similar types of equipment to remove vegetation and saplings <3inches dbh along the fenceline. The fence corridor will be maintained 4 feet from either side of the fenceline. Fenceline brushing would occur periodically as determined necessary by the Refuge Manager. e.Mowing Fuel Break and Access Roads The fuel break and access roads are to be mowed approximately 25 feet wide and at an average height of 2"-3" (as the terrain allows). A farm tractor with a minimum of 70hp and a 5-7 ft. mowing deck will be needed to minimize the number of passes to accomplish the 25 ft standard. Mowing would occur periodically as determined necessary by the Refuge Manager or Fire Management Specialist. Maps of the areas to be mowed will be provided. f. Data and Accountability Standards Contractor will provide number of hours worked, methods used, herbicide type and concentration, areas covered via maps and other applicable information on a bi-weekly basis. Maps will include GPS tracks covered for that time period. Data sheet template will be provided by FWS. 4.Protection of Environment and Proper Use of Chemicals Contracted operations shall be conducted to comply with all federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations as well as the safety precautions and directions for use on the Garton labels. Extreme care must be taken to prevent the herbicides from contacting native trees and bushes in the vicinity of gorse, blackberry and holly patches. The spray wand will be held as close to the target plants as possible to minimize over-spray. Spraying will occur only during periods of light or no wind and good weather. APPLICATION WILL CEASE IF IT BEGINS TO RAIN OR MIST. 5.Schedule This will be a "requirement services" contract for a five-year period (one base year and four option years) beginning on or about November 1, 2015. During that period, one or more work orders will be issued which specify the required service, the number of hours the service is required and the initiation and completion dates for the service. The initial work order will be issued when the contract is awarded and will require that work be started in November 2015. Contractors should submit any questions on this project directly to Karl Lautzenheiser at Karl_Lautzenheiser@fws.gov later than close of business on August 26, 2015. Questions will be consolidated and answers provided by issuance of an amendment the following week. Source selection process will be best value. Evaluation criteria is defined as follows: The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers; 1) Technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement (not-to-exceed 3 pages); 2) Past performance (not-to-exceed 3 pages); and 3) Price (no page limit). Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important that price. Solicitation Number F15PS01096 with attachments is being posted with this synopsis notice with quotes due by 3 PM PDT on Thursday, September 3, 2015. Quotes must be received by mail channels by no later that date/time or can be emailed to Karl_Lautzenheiser@fws.gov or sent be facsimile to (503) 231-6259. No further notice will be posted on Fedbizopps. To be considered for award, interested contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at (https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/) and Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) must be completed at this same website. For technical questions, please contact Cashell Villa at (808) 443-2300, ext 229 or email to Cashell_Villa@fws.gov. Contracting questions can be addressed to Karl Lautzenheiser at (503) 231-2052 or by email to Karl_Lautzenheiser@fws.gov.
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