Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Treatment

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

This contract aims to perform insecticide treatments on hemlock trees to ensure their survival against the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). The work will be conducted in developed recreation, administrative, and conservation areas within the Allegheny National Forest.

• Treatment Methods: Contractors will treat hemlock trees using one or more of the following methods: Soil Injection or Drench (imidacloprid), Soil Tablets (imidacloprid), Basal Spray (dinotefuran or imidacloprid), or Stem Injection (imidacloprid).

• Contractor Responsibilities: The contractor must furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, transportation, supervision, supplies, insecticide, and related supplies. The Government will furnish only specific Government-Furnished Property (GFP) as identified in Section 130.

• Application Timing: Treatments should consider weather, soil conditions, and insect activity. Specific guidelines are provided for stem injections, soil injections, and basal bark sprays, with spring (Mar-Jun) and fall (Oct-Dec) generally being ideal application periods.

• Designation of Trees: Trees to be treated will be designated via site map, verbal instructions from the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), flagging, paint, metal tags, or a written site description.

• Application Dosage: Specific dosage rates and label limits for imidacloprid and dinotefuran are provided based on tree diameter at breast height (dbh) for each treatment method.

• Record Keeping: Contractors must maintain accurate daily records of tree dbh, chemical amount applied per tree, and cumulative chemical amount per site. This data must be provided to the COR within one week of the workday. A digital data set in Excel format is required before final payment.

• Reporting: Signs indicating treatment details (insecticide used, date, contact info) must be posted at treatment sites.

• Location: Contract areas are located in Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren Counties, PA, on the Allegheny National Forest.

• Timeline: Work on individual project task orders is estimated to begin around September 1, 2026. Specific completion percentages are required within 15 and 30 days of award, with the entire awarded work on each delivery order to be completed no later than 45 days after issuance of award. Work under the base year delivery order must be completed by August 31.

• License Requirements: Contractors must comply with Pennsylvania state regulations for commercial pesticide applicators and the EPA Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS).

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Contractors must use appropriate PPE as detailed by insecticide labels.

• Environmental Protection: Strict precautions must be taken to prevent spillage of insecticide into streams, lakes, reservoirs, or standing water. Specific buffer zones are required around water sources. Mixing and cleaning areas must be located away from sensitive areas.

• Safety: Contractors are responsible for ensuring a safe work environment and must follow all applicable OSHA standards. Recommended safety equipment includes hardhats, leg protection, ear protection, eye protection, and hand protection.

• Transportation: Insecticides must be transported safely, secured, and isolated from passengers, food, or clothing. Spill kits must be readily available.

• Clean-Up: All trash, rubbish, and debris must be removed from National Forest Land before final acceptance.

• Quality Assurance: A performance-based quality assurance program will be in place, with a minimum of 10% of completed areas subject to compliance inspections. Disincentives may apply for work not meeting specifications or for delays in completion.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items to procure insecticide treatment services for hemlock trees threatened by the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). The work will be performed in developed recreation areas, administrative sites, and conservation areas across the Allegheny National Forest, including locations in Elk, Forest, McKean, and Warren Counties, PA.

• Perform insecticide treatments on hemlock trees to protect them from HWA infestation.

• Specific treatment locations, tree diameters, quantities, and application methods will be identified in individual task orders.

• Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, insecticide, supervision, and transportation.

• Approved application methods include soil injection, soil drench, soil tablets, basal sprays, or stem injections.

• Work may involve gentle to steep terrain and typical field hazards.

• This is a set-aside for small business concerns.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 115310 Support Activities for Forestry.

• Small business size standard: $11.5 Million.

• Contract Type: Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) with firm-fixed-price orders.

• Minimum guaranteed amount: $2,500.

• Maximum cumulative value: $350,000.

• Ordering Period: To be determined, with a maximum contract duration of five (5) years.

• Option to extend services for up to 6 months.

• Offers are requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

• Submission Deadline: July 6, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically to Laniece Nixon (laniece.nixon@usda.gov) with a courtesy copy to Shannon Wrobel (shannon.wrobel@usda.gov).

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach, Key Personnel, Past Performance, and Price.

• Award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer represents the best value to the Government.

• Award will not necessarily be made to the lowest-priced offeror.

• Questions due: June 22, 2026.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• All responsible small business sources may submit a quotation.

• Key personnel must include at least one certified Pennsylvania pesticide applicator.

• Quantities provided are estimated for evaluation purposes.

• Pricing offered is contractually binding for all task orders.

• Vendors must have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

• Several FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and in full text.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination issued by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Service Contract Act. It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations employed on contracts for forestry, land management, and the cleaning of public use areas within the state of Pennsylvania.

This wage determination is crucial for potential bidders on government contracts related to forestry, land management, and public area cleaning in Pennsylvania. It outlines the legally mandated minimum pay and benefits that must be provided to employees performing these services. Bidders must factor these costs into their proposals to ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act. Key details include:

• Applicable Area: All counties in Pennsylvania.
• Occupations Listed: Includes roles such as Brush/Precommercial Thinner, Choker Setter, Faller/Bucker, Forestry Equipment Operator, and Tree Planter, with specific hourly rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Mandates health and welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and paid sick leave (EO 13706: $5.09/hour or $203.60/week).
• Vacation: 2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 10 years of service.
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays per year.
• Uniform Allowance: Details requirements for uniform provision and maintenance reimbursement.
• Conformance Process: Outlines the procedure for establishing wage rates for unlisted occupations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing a bid schedule and instructions for preparing an Independent Government Estimate (IGE). It outlines the structure for pricing tree treatment services over five ordering periods.

• Instructions Tab: Provides guidance on creating an IGE, emphasizing that it must be an independent estimate, not a contractor quote. It details the purpose of the IGE in determining procurement value, identifying thresholds, and evaluating offeror understanding and price reasonableness. It also explains the different tabs available for various requirement types (Stand Alone IGE, Stand Alone IGE w/ options, IDIQ, Task Order).
• Bid Schedule Tab: Details estimated quantities and unit prices for various tree treatment methods (Soil Drench, Soil Injection, Soil Tablet, Basal Spray, Stem Injection) using specific chemicals (imidacloprid, dinotefuran). Treatments are categorized by tree size (DBH: 6-14", 15-20", 20+). The schedule is broken down into five one-year ordering periods, from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2031. All unit prices and total amounts are currently listed as $0.0, indicating that bidders are expected to provide their pricing.

This document is crucial for bidders as it provides the framework for submitting their pricing proposals. Bidders must use this schedule to input their unit prices for each specified treatment method, tree size, and ordering period. The structure of this bid schedule will likely inform the format of the final contract and the basis for price evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Plan" for the Allegheny National Forest, revised in May 2024. It outlines procedures and guidelines for the safe management, storage, handling, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials and waste within the Forest Service.

• Definitions and Classifications: Defines hazardous materials and waste, and categorizes them based on hazard type (e.g., flammable, corrosive, toxic, oxidizer) and regulatory standards (OSHA, DOT, EPA, NRC).
• Storage Requirements: Provides detailed guidance on proper storage, including segregation of incompatible materials, container requirements, labeling, and the establishment of Hazardous Waste Accumulation Areas (HWAAs) and Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs).
• Transportation Requirements: Outlines regulations and best practices for transporting hazardous materials, including classifications, labeling, placarding, and driver requirements.
• Spill Response: Details procedures for responding to hazardous material spills, including roles, responsibilities, notification steps, and containment measures.
• Pollution Prevention: Discusses strategies for reducing hazardous waste generation, such as product substitution, conservation, reuse, and process changes.
• References and Regulations: Lists relevant federal, state, and local regulations, as well as contact information for hazardous material waste management services.

This document is crucial for any bidder whose work involves the handling, storage, transportation, or disposal of hazardous materials or waste within the Allegheny National Forest. It establishes the regulatory framework, safety protocols, and environmental compliance requirements that must be adhered to. Understanding this plan is essential for developing compliant work plans, ensuring personnel safety, and avoiding regulatory violations. Bidders should pay close attention to sections related to their specific operations, such as spill response, transportation, and waste management, to ensure their proposals and execution plans align with these requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Experience Questionnaire required for potential bidders responding to the AGNF Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Treatment opportunity. It is designed to gather information about a contractor's past performance and organizational capabilities.

• Contractor Information: Name, address, telephone number, and email.
• Type of Business: Selection from options like Company, Co-Partner, Non-profit, Corporation, or Individual.
• Years of Experience: In the relevant line of work and specifically as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
• Relevant Projects: A list of up to three most relevant projects performed within the last three years, including contract number, award amount, contact information for references, date of contract completion, and description of work performed.
• Current Contract Commitments: A list of all current contracts, including contract number, award amount, contact information for references, and percentage of completion.
• Past Performance: Questions regarding failure to complete awarded work.
• Organization Information: Details on the number of employees (minimum and maximum), whether employees are regularly on payroll, and available equipment for the project.
• Principal Individuals' Experience: A table to list the experience of key individuals, including their name, present position, years of experience, and type of work.
• Remarks: A section for additional comments.
• Certification: A statement by the contractor certifying the accuracy of the information provided and authorizing the Forest Service to verify references.

Bidders must complete this questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. The information provided will be used by the government to assess the bidder's experience and capability to perform the work described in the solicitation. Failure to provide complete and satisfactory information may impact the evaluation of the bid.