Aquatic NNIS Eurasian - Watermilfoil Eradication - Tell City Ranger District

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To remove or reduce the vigor and size of Non-Native Invasive Plant Species (NNIS) populations, specifically Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), within the Hoosier National Forest (HNF) in south-central Indiana, thereby minimizing threats to native plant communities and wildlife.

• Treatment Areas: Mapped areas within the Brownstown Ranger District and Tell City Ranger District, including lake areas, boat ramps, and beach areas.

• Tasks: Application of EPA-approved, non-restricted use aquatic herbicides (selective and/or non-selective) to target NNIS and nuisance vegetation.

• Application Methods: Ground-based application using vehicle, ATV/UTV/OHV, or boat-mounted sprayers. Aerial spraying, including drones, is prohibited. Broadcast applications are not permitted.

• Chemicals: Only EPA-approved, non-restricted use chemicals for aquatic environments are allowed. Specific herbicides like ProcellaCOR, Sonar®, or equivalent may be used, with other approved herbicides requiring COR approval.

• Nuisance Vegetation: Treatment of nuisance vegetation around boat ramps and beach areas is required.

• Kill Rate: Achieve a minimum 90% kill rate of target NNIS and nuisance vegetation.

• Non-Target Mortality: Do not exceed maximum specified mortality to desirable non-target native species.

• Coverage: At least 95% of target NNIS areas mapped for treatment must be treated.

• Post-Treatment Surveys: Conducted no less than one month and no more than two months after treatment to ensure effectiveness. A post-survey report is required.

• Re-treatment: Contractor is responsible for re-applying herbicide at their expense if AQL values are not met.

• Location: Hoosier National Forest, south-central Indiana (Brownstown and Tell City Ranger Districts).

• Schedule: Work to be performed in specified locations and times as requested, generally during weekdays when public usage is low. GIS shapefiles of treatment areas are available upon request.

• Licensure: Applicators must possess current Indiana commercial pesticide applicator certification and an OISC Category 5 Aquatic Pest Management license. An Indiana pesticide licensed applicator must be on-site at all times, or all personnel must be registered technicians with immediate voice communication to a licensed supervisor.

• Safety: Caution signs must be placed around sprayed areas as per label directions. Temporary closure of areas may be necessary.

• Spill Response: Immediate notification of the COR is required for any spills.

• Documentation: Herbicide labels and MSDS must be available on-site and copies provided to the COR prior to work.

• Technology: A GPS-enabled device capable of using georeferenced PDF files or .shp files for navigation is required.

• Key Personnel: Project Manager(s)/On-Site Foremen/Lead must be assigned and possess proper licensure.

• Data Rights: Government-provided data shall not be distributed to third parties without approval.

• Government Furnished: Keys for FS gates and Geo-Referenced PDF maps will be provided if necessary.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for aquatic non-native invasive species (NNIS) treatment services for Eurasian Milfoil in lakes located on the Hoosier National Forest, Tell City Ranger District in Perry County, Indiana. The services include treating nuisance vegetation around boat ramps and beach areas. A State of Indiana (or reciprocal) licensing certification for herbicide treatment with an OISC Category 5 Aquatic Pest Management license is required.

• Treatment of non-native invasive species (NNIS) for Eurasian Milfoil.

• Additional treatment for nuisance vegetation around boat ramps and beach areas.

• Active SAM Registration is required.

• State of Indiana (or reciprocal) licensing certification for herbicide treatment with OISC Category 5 Aquatic Pest Management license.

• The contract will be a firm fixed price purchase order.

• It is anticipated to have one base period and two option periods, with a total duration not exceeding two years.

• Base Period: 08/15/2026 to 10/15/2026

• Option Period 1: 04/01/2027 to 06/30/2027

• Option Period 2: 04/01/2028 to 06/30/2028

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items in the attached Schedule of Items (SOI).

• To be considered responsive, the offer must include:

  • Signed SF1449 and amendments.
  • Completed Attachment 1 – Schedule of Items.
  • Past Performance information (three references detailing similar contracts).
  • Technical Approach.
  • Copies of State of Indiana (Or Reciprocal) Licensing Certification For Herbicide.

• Offers are due by 1:00 p.m. central time on 06/26/2026.

• Quotes will be evaluated using a comparative evaluation methodology based on Past Performance, Technical Approach, and Price.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• The solicitation is issued under NAICS code 115310 with a size standard of $11.5 million.

• The document does not explicitly state a set-aside, but block 10 indicates it could be unrestricted or set aside for small business categories.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses and provisions by reference.

• Attachment 1: Schedule of Items (SOI)

• Attachment 2: Performance Work Statement (PWS)

• Attachment 3: Maps

• Attachment 4: Wage Determination (WD) 1981-1257 R72

• Questions are due by 06/22/2026.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains templates and instructions for creating an Independent Government Estimate (IGE) and a Schedule of Items. The IGE is used by the government to determine procurement value, identify thresholds, and evaluate price reasonableness. The Schedule of Items outlines the specific items or services to be procured.

• Instructions for IGE: Emphasizes that the IGE must be an independent estimate, not a contractor quote, and should mirror the detail level of contractor pricing. It also requires stating any underlying assumptions.
• IGE Tab Options: Provides options for different requirement types: Stand Alone IGE, Stand Alone IGE w/ options, IDIQ, and Task Order.
• Schedule of Items (CONTRACT NO OPTIONS): A template for listing items, descriptions, pay units, and estimated quantities. It notes that the award is anticipated to be a firm fixed-price contract.
• Schedule of Items (CONTRACT WITH OPTION YRS): Details specific line items for "NNIS Eurasian Watermilfoil Eradication" in the Tell City District. It includes a Base Period (08/15/2026 – 10/15/2026) and two Option Periods (04/01/2027 - 06/30/2027 and 04/01/2028 - 06/30/2028). Each period lists items like "Tipsaw MYSP," "Tipsaw All Aquatic Veg," "Saddle MYSP," etc., with quantities and pay units (Acre).

Bidders should use the Schedule of Items template to understand the specific services and quantities being procured for the Eurasian Watermilfoil Eradication project. The provided details for the base and option periods, along with the unit of measure (Acre), are crucial for developing accurate pricing and proposals. The instructions for the IGE highlight the government's internal process for cost estimation, which can inform bidders about the government's expectations regarding cost breakdown and justification.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides maps of several lakes within the Hoosier National Forest, specifically within the Tell City Ranger District. These maps are intended to visually represent the locations and boundaries of these lakes.

• Hoosier National Forest Lakes: The document displays maps for Indian Lake, Celina Lake, Tipsaw Lake, and Saddle Lake.
• Geographic Representation: Each map shows the lake's outline, surrounding terrain, roads, and points of interest.
• Map Data: Includes indicators for MYSP (Myotis sodalis/Indiana Bat habitat), All Aquatic Veg (Aquatic Vegetation), and Hoosier - Gates.
• Scale and Legend: Each map includes a scale bar in miles and a legend for the indicators.
• Metadata: Indicates the map was created by JTI in January 2026 and compiled from multiple source data.

This attachment provides geographical context for the lakes mentioned. Bidders may need to refer to these maps to understand the physical locations, boundaries, and potential environmental considerations (e.g., habitat areas, aquatic vegetation) relevant to the opportunity, particularly if the opportunity involves work in or around these specific lake areas.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination (WD) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for service employees employed on contracts for forestry, land management, timber inventory, cultural resource inventory, and related services within the state of Indiana.

• Occupational Listings: Provides specific wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations, including "Brush/Precommercial Thinner," "Faller/Bucker," "Forestry Equipment Operator," "General Forestry Laborer," and "Tree Planter," among others.
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and paid sick leave under Executive Order 13706 ($5.09/hour or $203.60/week).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 10 years) and a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Uniform Allowance: Specifies requirements for uniform provision and maintenance reimbursement.
• Conformance Process: Details the procedure for requesting authorization of additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders responding to solicitations that involve forestry and land management services in Indiana. It dictates the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals to ensure compliance with federal labor laws. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.