Invasive Species Support at JBMDL | W9126G 20 2 SOI 3061

Opportunity Information: Apply for W9126G 20 2 SOI 3061

The "Invasive Species Support at JBMDL" opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number W9126G 20 2 SOI 3061) is a Department of Defense effort administered through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, to identify a qualified partner to support invasive species and pesticide management work at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL). The Air Force intends to fund this work under a cooperative agreement to provide technical and professional support for implementation of the installation's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), consistent with the Sikes Act (16 USC 670c-1). At this stage, the government is not requesting a full technical proposal or a budget. Instead, it is requesting Statements of Interest (SOIs) that demonstrate the applicant's qualifications and relevant experience for the type of work described in a draft statement of work provided for reference.

Eligibility is tightly limited. Only non-federal partners within Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) located in the Rocky Mountain CESU region or the North Atlantic Coast CESU region may be considered. Even though the posting may show broad applicant categories in a general field, the narrative eligibility restriction controls: applicants must be an eligible, non-federal CESU partner in one of those two named regions to qualify.

The project focus is invasive plant control and compliant pesticide program support across varied terrain, including forested areas and wetlands. The anticipated scope is organized around three main objectives. First, the awardee will provide pest control and pesticide management support, including demonstrated experience identifying invasive plant species and applying treatments in challenging environments. If mechanical control is used, the partner is expected to have experience safely operating a forestry mower/mulcher across uneven ground and potentially forested wetland conditions. All pesticide use must follow label requirements (treated as legally binding) and comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The project also requires that pesticide applicators hold valid, current state pesticide applicator certifications in relevant categories, specifically including Category 2 (forest pest control), 5A (aquatic pest control - general), 6 (rights-of-way), and 7A (general pest control). The partner must also provide clear points of contact with phone and email information.

Second, the awardee must support JBMDL's pesticide application documentation and reporting requirements. This includes registering for and using the Air Force Integrated Pest Management Information System (IPMIS) to record pesticide applications performed on the installation. Each application must be reported to the installation Pest Management Coordinator (PMC) using the required pesticide application record format within five working days. The partner must provide copies of current applicator certifications, pesticide business licenses, and proof of liability insurance to the PMC no later than two weeks before any pesticide application occurs, and then annually within a week of renewals or recertifications. The posting also emphasizes that "registered technicians" are not considered certified under DoD pest management regulations and therefore cannot apply pesticides at JBMDL. In addition, the partner must submit pesticide labels and material safety data sheets for all requested products at least one week prior to use. Vehicle and safety compliance is also spelled out: vehicles used for pesticide work must be dedicated to pesticide use, clearly marked as "Contaminated with Pesticides" and with the company logo, operated only by certified applicators, maintained in a clean condition to minimize contamination risk, and equipped with appropriate spill response materials. The partner is expected to be familiar with and operate under the installation Integrated Pest Management Plan, including the Pesticide Discharge Management Plan, ensuring all treatments align with labels and applicable regulations.

Third, the awardee will carry out on-the-ground invasive species management. The partner must furnish the labor, materials, herbicides, and equipment needed to evaluate treatment areas and perform herbicide applications and vegetation removal. The opportunity lists numerous target invasive plants that may require treatment, including common reed (Phragmites), cypress spurge, lespedeza, mullein, pepperwood, tree of heaven, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle, wormwood, multiflora rose, spotted knapweed, stilt grass, autumn olive, garlic mustard, and barberry, among others. The overall expectation is a capable field and reporting operation that can treat priority species effectively while meeting strict documentation, certification, and safety requirements typical of military installations.

In terms of funding and timing, approximately $170,100 was expected to be available for the initial effort described, with the possibility of additional funding in later fiscal years for added tasks or follow-on work for the successful awardee. The posting lists an award ceiling of $903,084 and an expectation of one award, which suggests the government may anticipate potential expansion or optional tasks even if the initial amount is smaller. The original closing date for submissions was April 30, 2020, and the review of Statements of Interest was expected to begin on April 30, 2020. Questions and SOI responses were directed to Sandy Justman, Contract Specialist (CESWF-CT), via sandra.justman@usace.army.mil or 817-886-1073.

• The Department of Defense, Fort Worth District in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Invasive Species Support at JBMDL" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.005.
• This funding opportunity was created on Mar 31, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 30, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $903,084.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.

Apply for W9126G 20 2 SOI 3061

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