F -- HERBICIDE SPRAYING

Notice Date

January 24, 2001

Contracting Office

USDA Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest, RR 2 Box 200, Custer, SD 57730

ZIP Code

57730

Solicitation Number

RMAST-01-015

Response Due

January 30, 2001

Point of Contact

Brenda Oster 605/673-9322, FAX 605/673-9350 -- Dave Pakalski, Contracting Officer 605/673-9320

Description

Modification: The action originally publicized in the CBD dated 12/22/00 has been modified to the following; THE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT AND INCORPORATED PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES ARE THOSE IN EFFECT THROUGH FEDERAL ACQUISITION CIRCULAR 97-23. DUE DATE FOR BIDS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 6, 2001. PRE-BID WEED CONTRACT MEETING/SITE VISIT Spearfish Office January 17, 2001 Those present from the Forest Service: Brenda Oster, Steve Smith, Kelli Spleiss, Lisa Lam. Contractors present: Ed Ptisfer, Jack Doolittle, Tom Mayes, Lee Shambeau, Ken Beug, Larry Mitchell. *********************************************************************** A copy of the weed contract vicinity map was handed out that show the approximate location of the 1359 acres of noxious weeds to be treated under contract. Steve initiated the meeting with a general discussion of the project. He also described the details of the contract specifications that have generated the most discussion: The contract he specified that either a 2-wheel drive vehicle or a 4 X 4 vehicle was necessary to get to the areas to be treated. Someone had phoned in and asked in a tracked vehicle could be used. Steve explained that the areas identified in the contract were accessible with a 4 X 4 vehicle and that a tracked vehicle was not necessary. Some of the roads are graveled and some are not. It is not the intent of the specifications to specify the method of application. The method is at the discretion of the contractor. The Government is looking for the result, which will be the basis for acceptance. We are expecting weeds to be treated within 200 feet of either side of the road. If you want to use ATV or backpack to treat these weeds that would be fine. In our next contract we may specify areas that need this kind of work done, but this year all areas can be treated with a hoselay. It may also be necessary for the contractor to remove trees that block the road that access the areas to be treated. Generally, how we have been spraying involves using a two-person crew. One person drives the truck and one person is on the hose spraying. We used portable pumps to draft water to fill our tanks. The tank mix we use is Tordon 22K and 2,4,D. We expect the contractor to mark the area that has been treated on a map with the scale of 1:24,000 feet. This will be given to the Contractor Officer Representative (COR) Kelli Spleiss, every 2 weeks. The contractor is expected to have whatever state permits are needed to treat noxious weeds in the rights-of-way and in forested areas. A list of chemicals is in the contract and if the contractor desires to use a herbicide other than those listed in the specifications, it is the responsibility of the contractor to show that the product to be used as a substitute is state labeled and EPA registered and equal to those herbicides listed. The contractor will provide the chemical and will dispose of the containers. The vehicles will be pressure washed at least once a week during treatment and will be steam cleaned before work begins. Questions from contractors: Q: Is there R-O-W areas? A: Some areas are. Q: Do you want us to treat 200' on either side of the road? A: Yes. If there are weeds beyond the 200' just let us know about it. We will treat them. Q: Weed acres on the maps are larger in some areas and show fewer acres, why? A: The polygons on the maps represent relatively large areas with several weed patches. Because of this, the polygons show a larger area than the acreage figure listed on the bottom of the map. You may find that you treat fewer acres in some of the areas and more in others that is okay. You will get paid for the acres you treat but you will not exceed 1359 acres. Q: What are the primary weed species to be treated? A: Mostly Canada thistle. You will also find Common tansy, houndstongue, some musk thistle, and maybe St. Johnswort on the west side of the district. You may find a patch of leafy spurge or knapweed but we do not expect that in the areas you will treat. Q: Don't you want the weeds to be treated while they are in bloom? It may not be possible to treat 1359 acres in such a short time frame. A: That is right. We want the contractor to do as much treatment early in the season as possible after most of the Canada thistle rosettes have bolted. If we start too early we will miss the plants that haven't bolted and if we start too late, the plants will have gone to seed. We recognize that with this amount of acreage that we won't be always able to spray the plants at the "optimum" time. Fall is often too late as the thistle has gone to seed and the chance of being snowed-out becomes a threat. Q: What are the classification for licensing in SD and WY? A: R-O-W, and Ag plant are the classifications that are needed. If you are licensed with these then you are licensed for aquatic. It is your responsibility to acquire the necessary permits. Q: Are there any wetland/streamside areas to treat? A: Yes, 30 acres above Roughlock Falls on Little Spearfish Creek -- as is indicated in the specifications. Q: Will the FS monitor our treatment areas? A: Yes, Kelli will be the COR and we will have a seasonal employee as an inspector. Q: What about the weather in the hills? A: The weather is variable. Sometimes the weather is very dry and sometimes it is very wet. Q: Any private land near area 2? A: Yes, a small piece is owned by Homestake Gold mine. There is a lot of private land interface in the Blackhills. It is very important that if in the contract we are treating next to private land that a very good job is done in treating the weeds. Q: How many weeds do we treat in a day? A: Our production rate is very low, our weed crew has mandatory training, meetings to attend, and a lot of travel time that you will probably not have. Obviously, if they treat 20 acres one day and have to attend a meeting the next, their production rate average goes down. Our average varies from 6-12 acres a day over all, with 2-person crew. Q: Will we need to treat the campgrounds? A: No. Q: Is there a special form we use to bid? A: No, use whatever you want to submit a bid. Must show jobs for the last 3 years and show phone numbers of references. A panel will evaluate the bids for past performance; so the low bid does not necessary get the contract. They are due into the SO by January 30th by 2:00 pm. The award will be made after the panel makes a selection. Q: Any endangered species exist? A: Yes, the bald eagle. We do have several plant and animal species on the Forest Service Sensitive Species list. Q: In the contract it states to submit past performances 10 days before the Jan 30th deadline? A: We will accept them 10 days prior and even on Jan. 30th. Q: When would we get paid? A: Can get paid every two weeks based on progress (acres of completion); do not have to wait until the end of the contract. Q: If there are areas that are missed or weeds are in the rosettes stage when they are treated will we be required to go back and treat them? A: Yes. Q: Is there any bio-control in the areas we are treating? A: No. These areas are not in the contract. Steve also explained that there are several campgrounds and hotels near the treatment areas if folks are looking at staying in the area. The areas to be treated are very variable and there may be some areas with steep slopes but not very many. We then took a field trip up FDR 134 to Highway 85, then down Spearfish Canyon and back to the Spearfish Office. We returned at approximately 1300 hrs. This was to give the contractors an idea of what the areas are like. Steve Smith, Kelli Spleiss, Lisa Lam, Ed Ptisfer, Jack Doolittle, Tom Mayes, Lee Shambeau, Ken Beug attended the field trip.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010126/FSOL001.HTM (W-024 SN50B7G1)