10/4/2013. Request for Proposals: Tree Planting Services

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1 10/4/2013 Request for Proposals: Tree Planting Services The Maryland Forestry Board Foundation is seeking proposals from contractors to provide tree planting services for their Healthy Forests Healthy Waters Initiative (HFHW). The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay s Chesapeake Forest Program will serve as field managers for the Foundation. This HFHW seeks to engage private landowners that have proposed, but not yet implemented nutrient and sediment projects in their forest management plans. A list of potential tree planting projects has been compiled by Maryland Forest Service staff and has been bundled into two project regions: eastern and central Maryland. The Alliance is accepting separate proposals for each regional project. Maryland Forest Service staff recommended specifications for individual plantings within each bundle. These planting plans are attached and are considered to be part of this Request for Proposals. This request is for the planting and maintenance of provided tree seedlings and shelters. The Alliance staff will procure all planting materials including seedlings and shelters. Use of chemical band spraying around labeled seedlings is required. Preference will be give to proposals that use a machine tree planter. In addition, the Foundation is requiring use of quality control specifications used by the Maryland DNR (see below). The selected contractor will work directly with Alliance staff for delivery of materials to the sites. Please categorize within the proposal total costs for a) the planting, which includes site prep and b) two years of maintenance - all of which are outlined in the specifications. The Foundation and Alliance reserve the right to reject any or all bids when such rejection is in the best interest for the initiative. Bids will be evaluated on price, qualifications to meet project 1

2 specifications, guarantees and contractor s experience with comparable tree planting projects. Top bids may be asked to submit two references to evaluate past experiences prior to final selection. Proposal due date: 10/16/13 at 5:00 pm Please complete the attached proposal form and submit by mail or electronically as a scanned document with original signature. Mail to: Alliance for the Chesapeake, Chesapeake Forests Program th Street Annapolis, MD Attn: HWHF Or to: esprague@allianceforthebay.org If you have any questions please contact Eric Sprague at or at the referenced above. 2

3 Quality Control Specifications Qualifications / General Requirements Contractor shall provide documentation satisfactory to the Maryland Forestry Board Foundation (Foundation) that they have a minimum of three (3) years experience successfully planting bare root tree seedlings. Contractor shall provide documentation satisfactory to the Foundation that they have a minimum of three (3) years experience successfully installing tree shelters. Contractor shall provide documentation satisfactory to the Foundation that all herbicide work shall be performed by, or under the supervision of, a Maryland Department of Agriculture Licensed Pesticide Applicator. Contractor agrees to begin work on the job at a date mutually acceptable to both parties, and to complete all herbicide applications by April 15, 2013, and all tree planting and shelter installation by no later than April 30, 2013 absolutely no exceptions. All work related to the contract shall be performed according to all applicable local, state, and federal safety laws and regulations. Contractor shall completely remove all man-made debris from the job site on a daily basis. Any unusual circumstances, requests for deviation from the job specifications, or nonemergency problems related to the job specifications shall be forwarded to the contract officer or appointed Foundation representative, prior to the Contractor taking any action. Traffic control, if necessary, including signage, flaggers, etc., is the responsibility of the contractor and shall conform to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Contractor agrees to repair, replace, or pay for damage done to any property in the performance of the contract, beyond ordinary wear and tear. Contractor agrees to hold harmless Foundation for any injury or damage to any person that arises out of the performance of the contract. Tree Planting Requirements Contractor agrees to furnish all equipment and labor necessary for planting seedlings in a satisfactory manner. Planting shall not be conducted when excess water is standing on the tract, or when the ground is frozen or extremely dry 3

4 Contractor will plant the seedlings at the proper depth seedling root collar even with existing ground level. Contractor will compress the soil gently on all sides to eliminate air pockets and firm the seedling with mineral soil packed in and around the roots, such that the planted seedlings cannot be pulled out of the ground by a light tug. Contractor will plant seedlings with root system in the proper growing orientation such that J and U roots will not occur. Contractor will ensure that tree seedlings are kept moist and protected from sun and wind at all times. Contractor will plant seedlings in linear rows and in accordance with specified spacing requirements per site conditions and direction from Foundation supervisory staff. Tree Shelter Installation Requirements Contractor agrees to furnish all equipment and labor necessary for installing shelters in a satisfactory manner. Contractor shall install tree shelters according to all manufacturer requirements, including straight and upright shelter orientation, proper shelter base seating, straight and upright stake orientation and proper depth, tightly fastened ties, and correctly installed bird netting. Contractor will complete all tree shelter installation concurrent with tree planting. All planted seedlings will be sheltered on a daily basis to prevent overnight deer damage. Contractor will install shelters in accordance with specified spacing requirements per site conditions and direction from Foundation supervisory staff. Herbicide Application Requirements Contractor agrees to furnish all equipment and labor necessary for completing herbicide application in a satisfactory manner. All herbicide applications shall be performed in complete accordance with product label requirements. All herbicide applicators must wear the appropriate level of personal protective equipment (PPE) as described on the herbicide label. Contractor shall remove and dispose of all excess herbicides and herbicide containers from the project site in accordance with product label instructions and leave the site in a neat and clean condition. Herbicide applications shall be made in the spring of 2014 after initial grass growth has begun, but prior to bud break, if possible. If application cannot be made before bud 4

5 break, a guard on the sprayer will need to be in place to ensure that no herbicide is sprayed onto existing tree seedlings / trees. Applications shall not be made when eye-level wind speed is greater than 5 miles per hour. A daily record shall be kept during each day of herbicide application. Information collected shall include, but not be limited to: date, time of day, location, herbicides applied, rates of application, temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and any other information required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, Sections 11 and 26(c). A copy of all applications records shall be provided to the DNR supervisory staff after all herbicide applications have been completed. Penalties In case of failure of the Contractor to satisfactorily complete to work project by the specified date or in compliance with the specified contract conditions, a penalty will be assessed at 10% of the total contract price. Foundation has the right to seek another Contractor to finish the project in a satisfactory manner. In case of failure of the Contractor to repair damage to the property, the penalty shall be equal to the cost of having the repairs done by other contractors and be deducted from the contract price. 5

6 Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters Initiative: Tree Planting Service RFP The Undersigned Acknowledges that: 1) That he or she is an authorized agent of the contractor submitting this bid 2) The contractor has the proper licensure and qualifications to complete the specified tasks outlined in the proposal in accordance to state and local regulations 3) The contractor can meet all of the specifications outlined in the Quality Control Specifications Form 4) The contractor submitting this bid has not defaulted on any public or private contract Please indicate which project you are bidding: (Eastern or Central) Contractor/company name: Signature of authorized agent: Printed name: Address: Phone and Bid Total $ Planting $ Maintenance $ (Minimum 2yrs)

7 Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters Initiative Planting Plan for Irvine Nature Center Garrison Forest Rd. Owings Mills, MD Cell Evening Contact: Wally Vait Location:.3 miles south of Crondall Ln. on east side of Garrison Forest Rd. Lat./Long.: W N Baltimore ADC Map 17, A 13 Tax Map: 58 Parcel: 918 Sub-watershed # Jones Falls Patapsco Watershed on 16.8 acres 4371 linear feet (both sides) Prepared by Beth Sanders, DNR Forest Service 24 June

8 IRVINE NATURE CENTER Landowner Objectives: To replant seedlings that have died and install Tubex tree shelters and Vispore weedmats To straighten tree shelters on surviving trees, replacing stakes and weedmats To remove shelters from surviving trees as appropriate To spot spray invasive plants and mow in the fall To provide 2 years of follow-up maintenance in the form of mowing and herbicide spraying Property Overview: This area was a private farm and is now a non-profit, privately owned nature center providing environmental education to the region. Soils Information: The planting areas are primarily comprised of Dunning silt loam. These soils are deep, poorly drained with a moderate hazard of flooding. See page 7 for more soil details. 2

9 Planting Recommendations: IRVINE NATURE CENTER Acres: 16.8 Spacing: 10 X 12 ; (10 in the row, 12 between rows, approx. 363 trees/ac.) Planting Method: hand Instructions: Fields will be rehabilitated in the following order: 1) Field ac. - replant trees, replace shelters and mats, straighten tubes and replace stakes and mats as needed. 2) Field ac. - replant trees, replace shelters and mats, straighten tubes and replace stakes and mats as needed. 3) Field ac. - replant trees, replace shelters and mats, straighten tubes and replace stakes and mats as needed. 4) Field ac. - if any seedlings are left after replanting in Fields 9,10, and 2, place in this field. Replace shelters and mats, straighten tubes and replace stakes and mats as needed. 5) All fields and perimeters spot spray thistle, mile-a-minute, multiflora rose and oriental bittersweet. The Nature Center tries to limit the amount of herbicide used on the premises. The herbicide used for thistle, mile-a-minute and multiflora rose shall be Lontrel. Oriental bittersweet will be treated with Lontrel and 2,4-D. *Tree shelters will be 5 with an accompanying 5 oak stake 3

10 Dunning Series The Dunning series consists of deep, very poorly drained, nearly level soils on flood plains in limestone valleys on the Piedmont Plateau. These soils are naturally neutral or only slightly acid, and they are subject to flooding at irregular intervals. The native vegetation is wetland hardwoods, but most of the soils have been cleared. In a representative profile the surface layer is very dark brown and black silt loam about 19 inches thick. The subsoil, about 18 inches thick, is mottled with yellowish brown and is dark-gray silty clay that is sticky and plastic. The underlying material is mottled dark-gray sandy clay loam to a depth of about 48 inches. Gravelly coarse sand extends to a depth of about 60 inches. The Dunning soils have high available moisture capacity and slow permeability. Where they are not frequently flooded, Dunning soils are suited to cultivated crops, pasture, and trees. Drainage improvement is needed for crops and for improved pasture. The very poor natural drainage and the flood hazard are severe limitations for most nonfarm uses. Representative profile of Dunning silt loam, in a nearly level area on the north side of Oregon Branch, about one-half mile west of Cockeysville. Dunning silt loam (Du). This is the only Dunning soil mapped in the county. It is nearly level and is on flood plains and in depressions in areas within flood plains. Where there is no more than a moderate hazard of flooding, the soil is used mostly for corn and pasture. Areas subject to severe or frequent flooding generally are kept in trees or are used for seasonal grazing. Intensive drainage measures are needed to attain full use in farming. Capability unit IVw-3; woodland subclass 1w. Management Practice Schedule: IRVINE NATURE CENTER Aug. 15th-Oct Mow between rows to prepare for spring 2014 planting March 2014 Seedlings picked up from nursery and stored in cooler at 340B Hoods Mill Rd., Woodbine, MD March-April 2014 All seedlings planted, sheltered and mats installed May-August 2014 Spot spray thistle, mile-a-minute, multiflora rose and oriental bittersweet Aug. 15 th - Oct Mow between rows before winter Sept. Oct Perform survival check May August 2015 Spot spray thistle, mile-a-minute, multiflora rose and oriental bittersweet Aug. 15 th - Oct Mow between rows before winter Sept.-Oct 2015 Perform survival check Nov. Dec Remove shelters from older trees as appropriate 4

11 Post-Planting Maintenance as included above in Management Practice Schedule is the responsibility of the contractor for two years. The planted stock should not fall below the minimum survivability limits of 65% or 236 trees per acre. As part of the Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters Initiative the landowner has agreed to retain the planted tree area on the property for a minimum of 10 years. Contractors are not held responsible for situations outside of their control including weather related conditions. For additional assistance and advice to complete your buffer planting objective, please contact Eric Sprague at or esprague@allianceforhtebay.org 5

12 Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters Initiative Planting Plan for Ronald E. Wagner 2373 Old Washington Road Westminster, MD Location:.Driveway entrance is across from Salem Bottom Rd., at the above address. Lat./Long.: W N Carroll Co. ADC Map 24, Block G4 Tax Map: 58 Parcels: 689,690,691 Sub-watershed # Double Pipe Creek Middle Potomac Watershed on 7.0 acres 2,433 linear feet of stream Prepared by Donna Davis, DNR Forest Service 25 June

13 RONALD WAGNER FARM Landowner Objectives: invasive weed control, reinforcement planting, and rehabilitation of a CREP forest buffer planting project installed in Early or late season broadcast-ground application of Garlon 3A herbicide to control Japanese honeysuckle, poison ivy, Oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose. The goal is to retain the grasses and indigobush. Replant 1000 seedlings that have died and install Tubex tree shelters with 5 oak stakes and Vispore weedmats. Remove/treat with herbicide impeding vegetation inside shelters containing existing live trees (approx. 100). Straighten tree shelters on smaller surviving trees, replacing stakes and zip-ties as needed. Remove shelters from larger surviving trees as appropriate. Spot spray with glyphosate or Garlon to control invasive plants. Provide 2 years of follow-up maintenance in the form of mowing and herbicide spraying Property Overview: This area is a private farm. The work-site is a CREP forest planting installed in 2005 with areas of good tree and shrub survival interspersed with areas of poor survival. Rows were established on 11 ft. intervals. Vehicle access is good. The landowner mows between the planting rows once/year in late winter or early spring. Invasive shrubs and vines are becoming a problem. Groundcover consists of grasses, herbaceous broadleaf plants, raspberry, multiflora rose, and problem vines (poison ivy, Oriental bittersweet, Japanese honeysuckle) with areas of desirable indigobush regeneration. Soils Information: The planting area is primarily comprised of Brinklow channery loam soils on 8 to 25% slopes. These soils are stony and somewhat thin and droughty, especially on the steeper sloping areas. 2

14 Planting Recommendations: RONALD WAGNER FARM Acres: 7.0 Spacing: 10 X 11 ; (10ft. in the row, 11 ft. between rows) Planting Method: hand Instructions: 1) All fields and perimeters broadcast ground-spray to control multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle, poison ivy, and Oriental bittersweet. The herbicide used for broadcast spray will be Garlon 3A. Spot-spray where needed to control invasive vines and shrubs. The herbicides for spot-spray will be glyphosate and/or Garlon. The goal is to control the vines and rose while retaining the grasses and indigobush. 2) Field A ac. (no existing trees). Replant with 300 hardwood trees. Random species mix. Install 300 shelters and 300 mats. 3) Field C- 1.0 ac. Replant 200 hardwood trees (any extra trees after other fields are planted can also be placed in this field). Install 200 shelters and mats. Remove/treat competing vegetation from tubes with live trees. Straighten tubes and replace stakes as needed. 4) Fields B & D 5.3 ac. - Replant 500 hardwood trees. Random species mix. Locate replants across the acreage to fill in bare areas and achieve a minimum 200 trees/acre. Install 500 shelters and mats. Remove/spray competing vegetation from tubes with live trees. Straighten tubes and replace stakes as needed. 3

15 Timeline: Ronald Wagner Farm October 2013 December 2013 March 2014 March-April 2014 May-October 2014 October 2014 December 2014 Sept. Oct May August 2015 Sept Oct 2015 December 2015 May August 2016 Broadcast spray and spot spray to prepare for spring 2014 planting. Rehab existing sheltered trees with removal/treatment of competing vegetation. Mow between rows. Seedlings picked up from nursery and stored in cooler at 340B Hoods Mill Rd., Woodbine, MD All seedlings planted, shelters, and mats installed. Spot spray vines and invasives. Existing sheltered trees rehabbed with removal/treatment of competing vegetation. Tubes straightened, stakes replaced where needed. Remove shelters on larger trees as appropriate. Broadcast spray if needed to control invasive vines & shrubs. Mow between rows before winter Perform survival check Spot spray vines and invasives. Perform survival check Mow between rows before winter Spot spray vines and invasives Post-Planting Maintenance as included above in Management Practice Schedule is the responsibility of the contractor for two years. The planted stock should not fall below the minimum survivability limits of 65% of what was planted (ie. 650 seedlings) As part of the Healthy Forests, Healthy Waters Initiative the landowner has agreed to retain the planted tree area on the property for a minimum of 10 years. Contractors are not held responsible for situations outside of their control including weather related conditions. For additional assistance and advice to complete your buffer planting objective, please contact Eric Sprague at or esprague@allianceforhtebay.org 4

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