CB CW Vegetation Control Noxious Weeds

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarification regarding the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drone spraying, for herbicide application under the Cottonwood & Cold Brook Vegetation Control contract (W9128F26QA037).

• Drone Spraying Prohibition: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not permit the use of UAS for herbicide application under this contract.
• Legal Basis: This prohibition is due to restrictions outlined in the American Security Drone Act—Covered Foreign Entities (American Security Drone Act of 2023), which is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. Agencies are prohibited from contracting with entities that operate, provide, or use certain UAS manufactured or assembled by covered foreign entities.

This clarification directly impacts potential bidders by prohibiting the use of drone spraying as a method for herbicide application. Bidders should plan their approach accordingly and ensure compliance with this restriction.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Total Vegetation Control" for the Cottonwood Springs Project. It visually delineates various areas within the project site and their associated acreage, likely intended to guide or inform a Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) related to vegetation management.

• Project Name: Cottonwood Springs Project
• Title: Total Vegetation Control
• **Areas Delineated (with acreage):
  • Parking Lots/Trail (2.0 Acres)
  • Picnic Shelters/Playground/Vault Toilet (0.30 Acres)
  • Boat Ramp Area (0.30 Acres)
  • Spillway/Access Roads (8.0 Acres)
  • Dam Embankment/Access Roads (17.0 Acres)
  • Guard Rails (1.1 Acres)
• Scale: Provided in miles.
• Issuing Agency: US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District.
• Production Date: January 30, 2018.

This map provides a visual representation of the project site and the specific areas where vegetation control is required. Bidders can use this to understand the scope and scale of the work, identify the locations of different project components, and estimate the effort involved in managing vegetation across these distinct zones. It serves as a critical spatial reference for any vegetation control services solicited.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Base Offer Price Sheet for a Total Vegetation/Noxious Weed Control Contract. It outlines the pricing structure for services to be rendered during specific performance periods.

• Performance Periods: Includes pricing for a Base Offer (April 30, 2026 - September 15, 2026), Option 1 (April 30, 2027 - September 15, 2027), and Option 2 (April 30, 2028 - September 15, 2028).
• Service Areas: Pricing is broken down by location (Cold Brook, Cottonwood Springs) and service type (Total Veg Spraying, Noxious Weed Spraying).
• Estimated Acres: Specific estimated acreage is provided for each service type within each location.
• Award Options: Includes options to award individual line items or award as a whole for each performance period.
• Grand Total: A field for the Grand Total Amount, encompassing the Base Offer and both Option periods.

This pricing sheet is critical for bidders to understand the cost structure of the contract. Bidders must use this document to input their unit prices and calculate total costs for each service and performance period, which will be a key component of their offer submission.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (W9128F26QA037) is for "CB CW Vegetation Control Noxious Weeds." The government is procuring a non-personnel services contract to provide Total Vegetative Control and Noxious Weed Control.

• Base Year (Item 0001): Provide all labor, supplies, and equipment for vegetation spraying and noxious weed control services.

• Option Year 1 (Item 0002): Optional year for vegetation spraying and noxious weed control services.

• Option Year 2 (Item 0003): Optional year for vegetation spraying and noxious weed control services.

• Services are to be performed in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561730, with a size standard of $9,500,000.00.

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Year: April 30, 2026, to April 29, 2027
  • Option Year 1: April 30, 2027, to April 29, 2028
  • Option Year 2: April 30, 2028, to April 29, 2029

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price for all line items.

• Contract Type: Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

• Offer Due Date: March 25, 2026, at 02:00 PM.

• Submission Instructions: Offers must be submitted as a single PDF document, not exceeding 25 pages, to Casey Barber. The offer must include the solicitation number, offeror's name/address/phone, UEI, and a statement of agreement with terms and conditions.

• Evaluation Factors:

  1. Past Performance: Minimum 5 years of experience treating 500+ acres annually, with knowledge of South Dakota noxious weeds. References and CPARS data will be reviewed.
  2. Technical Approach & Expertise: Detailed description of the approach, PWS objectives, quality control methods, and unique qualifications.
  3. Price: Unit and total prices for all line items.

• Award Basis: Best Value determination, with Factors 1 and 2 combined being approximately equal to Factor 3.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• Offerors are urged to inspect the sites for Cold Brook and Cottonwood.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and DFARS clauses, including those related to small business subcontracting limitations, cybersecurity, and contract terms and conditions.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for a non-personnel services contract to provide Total Vegetative Control and Noxious Weed Control for the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Cold Brook Project and Cottonwood Springs in Hot Springs, SD.

• The contractor shall furnish all labor, tools, materials, equipment, supplies, and supervision for herbicide application to control vegetation in identified areas.

• Spraying must be controlled to prevent damage to trees, shrubs, flower beds, water, and other objects. A biodegradable marker dye is required with all sprayings.

• The work includes complete herbicide application for vegetation control in designated areas such as parking lots, fence lines, storage areas, vault toilet areas, rip rap, guard rails, roads, and curb/pavement cracks.

• Specific products will be used for different areas: Pramitol 25E or equivalent for areas not adjacent to water, and a public-safe product for areas with playground equipment or high public use.

• The contract also includes noxious weed control.

• The contract has a Base Offer and two (2) Option Years.

• Base Year: Active period from April 30, 2026, to September 15, 2026.

• Option 1: Active period from April 30, 2027, to September 15, 2027.

• Option 2: Active period from April 30, 2028, to September 15, 2028.

• Services are performed on Federal Property managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• Total Vegetation Treatment: Two phases: initial application and a follow-up application (30-60 days later). Approximately 45.05 acres per treatment.

• Noxious Weed Control: Two phases: spring application and fall application. Approximately 50 acres for spring application.

• Performance Requirements Summary (PRS):

  • PRS #1 (Vegetation Application): Minimum 95% kill rate. Zero deviation from standard. Surveillance via periodic inspection.
  • PRS #2 (Noxious Weed Control): Minimum 95% kill rate. Zero deviation from standard. Surveillance via periodic inspection.

• Contractor Personnel: Must be qualified, maintain a neat appearance, and wear identifying clothing. Minimum age is 16. Vehicles must be registered, licensed, and insured.

• Subcontracting: Not permitted without written approval from the Contracting Officer.

• Quality Control: Contractor must designate a qualified crew member for quality matters.

• Quality Assurance: Government will use a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

• Hours of Operation: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays or facility closures. No spraying on weekends/holidays without prior COR approval.

• Pre-Work Meeting: Required before commencing activities to discuss requirements, scheduling, and safety plans.

• Submittals: Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA), Abbreviated Accident Prevention Plan (APP), list of personnel, proof of insurance, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals.

• Standards and Regulations: Compliance with all Local, State, and Federal Regulations, including CFR Title 36, EM 385-1-1, and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.

• Physical Security: Contractor responsible for safeguarding government property. Strict key control procedures apply.

• Payment: Monthly, after inspection, acceptance, and processing of contractor invoice.

• Deliverables: Invoice and Pesticide Application Records (1 copy each, paper hard copy).

• Attachments: Aerial Maps.

• Chemicals: Only EPA-registered chemicals approved for South Dakota use are permitted. All chemicals require COR approval prior to application. MSDS must be provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a map illustrating the "Total Vegetation Control" project area for the Cold Brook Project. It serves as a visual aid to identify specific locations and their associated acreage within the project site.

• Project Title: Total Vegetation Control, Cold Brook Project
• Map Features: Aerial imagery showing terrain, water bodies, roads, and structures.
• Labeled Areas: Specific zones are highlighted with acreage, including:
  • Parking Area (0.10 Acres)
  • Guard Rail/Parking Area (0.70 Acres)
  • Spillway (0.90 Acres)
  • Guard Rail/Stock Piles, Access Road and Building Area (2.15 Acres)
  • Guard Rail (0.20 Acres)
  • Dam Embankment/Outlet Structure Instruments and Walking Path (12.0 Acres)
  • Maintenance Yard (0.30 Acres)
• Scale: Provided in miles.
• Producing Agency: US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District.

This map provides critical spatial information for potential bidders. It visually defines the scope and specific locations where vegetation control activities are required, along with the approximate size of each area. This helps bidders understand the physical extent of the work and plan their approach.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT" issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It provides a list of occupational classifications and their corresponding minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for federal contracts in specific geographic areas. This particular determination is for "South Dakota Counties of Bennett, Butte, Corson, Dewey, Fall River, Gregory, Haakon, Harding, Jackson, Jones, Lawrence, Lyman, Mellette, Oglala Lakota, Perkins, Stanley, Todd, Tripp, Ziebach."

This document is crucial for potential bidders on federal service contracts within the specified area of South Dakota. It outlines the minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements for various occupations that may be employed under such contracts. Bidders must use this information to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals, ensuring compliance with the Service Contract Act. Failure to adhere to these wage determinations can lead to bid disqualification or contract non-compliance. The document also includes notes on Executive Orders related to paid sick leave and minimum wage, as well as information on the conformance process for unlisted occupations.