CBP Carrizo Cane Eradication - Texas

Performance Work Statement Integrated Vegetation Management for Carrizo Cane Eradication Across Texas 1.0 INTRODUCTION This PWS identifies the types of related technical services and activities that may be requested and are to be furnished in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) missions pertaining to Border Security along the southern International Boundary in Texas. Provided in Section 3.0, Scope, are the types of integrated vegetation management services that may be performed or worked on under C type contract. 2.0 BACKGROUND The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) propose to treat up to 1,951 miles of invasive vegetation species along the Texas southern international boundary within the United States of America to support U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) operations and prevent the spread of invasive species. Integrated vegetation management treatments may include manual, mechanical, and/or chemical treatments of invasive species. The vegetation treatments would prove effective in preventing the spread of invasive species and provide safety features, specifically line of sight opportunities, to USBP agents. 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK The services in this contract are designed to provide for integrated vegetation management, including eradication of Carrizo Cane, through manual, mechanical, chemical, soil stabilization, and related services. Task orders issued under the contract may require vegetation manipulation, treatment, removal, and planting in compliance with its terms, specifications and provisions. Services conducted under the task orders shall include furnishing all labor, supervision, transportation, operating supplies, and incidentals to perform all work necessary to conduct vegetation management. The category of support included in this contract is integrated vegetation management. Listed below are the vegetation management available under this contract. The Technical Requirements of the Contract and the associated treatment types and measures of success are included in Appendix A. 4.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE AND LOCATION OF PROJECTS Work shall be performed within the Rio Grande Valley along the Southern Texas Border as outlined in the geographic map-Attachment 1. The specific location of individual projects shall be provided with each Task Order. The Period of Performance for this contract shall be for one (1) 12-month Base Year and three (3) 12-month Option Years. The PoP is defined as follows:  Base Year: Twelve (12) months commencing on the date of contract award. Option Year I: Twelve (12) months (if exercised by the Government). Option Year II: Twelve (12) months (if exercised by the Government). Option Year III: Twelve (12) months (if exercised by the Government) 5.0 BOUNDARIES OF PROJECT AREAS The project areas are generally identifiable by changes in vegetation, roads, paint, flagging, or through geographical information systems (GIS) data. Work would require the Contractor to have global positioning system (GPS) capabilities in order to identify treatment areas and/or project boundaries. The Government shall provide shape files or track logs electronically (via email or at the pre-work meeting) to the Contractor which shall identify treatment unit boundaries and treatment islands with the project area boundary. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to upload the shape files to the GPS equipment and provide any technical support for problems with the Contractor’s equipment. 6.0 ACCESS TO PROJECT AREAS Access is by all-weather (FC-2) and seasonal roads (FC-3). Task orders shall state access distance to the project area. Task order pricing submission shall include access distance to the individual project area. Contractor shall use the appropriate government rates as posted on GSA located at the following link Mileage Reimbursement rate. Seasonal roads may be impassable for several days after weather events. Contractors accessing project areas via private land shall obtain permission through the CBP/PMOD technical project lead or COR to travel over private lands before proceeding to start work on any project unit accessed through private land. Road Gates - Some project units are beyond locked gates that may require a key for access. Based on direction from the CBP/PMOD project lead or COR, the Contractor for each project unit may be required to lock gates with locks immediately after entry or exit. If government provided keys need to be issued to the Contractor for access, Form DI-105, Receipt for Property, will be signed by the Contractor at the responsible land management office. The contractor is responsible for replacement costs for lost keys or locks. Sequence of Work - The sequence of work will be determined by the COR at the pre-work conference and may be subject to change. Certain project units may be designated as higher priority units, which shall require an earlier completion than other contract units on a specific task order. 7.0 UNIQUE FEATURES OF PROJECT AREAS Wildlife trees and snags may be present within the project sites. Research plots, cultural sites, threatened and endangered species locations, and other similar areas of concern may be located within the project sites and cannot be disturbed during project activities. These areas shall be identified on task order maps and in the field by the Government. 8.0 FIRE PREVENTION AND LIABILITY The Contractor may be held liable for all operator fire starts under the specific task order. State and local fire prevention laws may exist and must be followed by the Contractor unless written direction is provided by the Contracting Officer. The Task Order may have additional site-specific prevention stipulations. All contracts shall at a minimum require: 8.1 Operate all internal and external combustion engines on federally managed lands pursuant to36 CFR 261.52 (Attach…