Integrated Pest Management Services for Sioux Falls VA Medical Center

of Program. This specification is part of a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for the premises listed herein. IPM is a process for achieving long term, environmentally sound pest suppression by using of a wide variety of technological and management practices. Control strategies in an IPM Program extend beyond the application of pesticides to include structural and procedural modifications that reduce the food, water, harborage, and access used by pests. The IPM program s goal is to ensure a pest-free environment that will focus on significantly minimizing pest sightings and eliminating pest infestations within the confines of each building on the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System s campus located at 2501 W. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (herein referred to as SFVAHCS), and the Wagner CBOC clinic located at 400 West Hwy 46, Wagner, SD 57380. Infestations that occur must be addressed immediately and persistently until such pests are eliminated. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan is a comprehensive document describing the facilities pest problems, programs and systems required to deliver economical and effective control of pests in accordance with VHA Environmental Program Service guide 1850.2 Integrated Pest Management and the VHA Bed Bug Management Guide. The plan proposed by the Contractor must also comply with VHA guidelines, SFVAHCS Center Circular 137-04 Integrated Pest Control, and approved industry standards. The Contractor shall complete a thorough, initial inspection of each building or site at least five working days prior to the starting date of the contract. The purpose of the initial inspection(s) is for the contractor to evaluate the pest control needs of all premises and to identify problem areas and any equipment, structural features, or management practices that are contributing to pest infestations. Access to building space shall be coordinated with the

Contracting Officer s Representative (COR). The contractor shall develop a complete IPM plan for approval by the

Contracting Officer s Representative (COR). The contractor s written IPM plan will be provided to the COR within 10 days of contract award. The plan will be presented at a meeting consisting of the Contractor s Pest Control Operator (PCO), the COR, delegated Environmental Management Services (EMS) representatives and the EMS Chief. Any changes needed to the plan shall be agreed upon prior to the commencement of services. Thereafter, quarterly meetings shall be held to review the plan, plan specifications, quality assurance, treatments, pest control methods, improvement opportunities, issues, review of pest control activities presented by contractor, corrective actions, etc. The Contractor shall provide all licenses, supervision, supplies, laboratory testing tools, transportation, labor, and equipment necessary to accomplish the surveillance, trapping, pesticide application, and pest removal components of the IPM Program. The Contractor shall provide detailed, site-specific recommendations for structural and procedural modifications to aid in pest prevention at SFVAHCS. The Contractor shall provide a Pest Sighting Log Book to list items serviced on each date of service. The log book will be kept in Environmental Management Services (EMS) offices, and maintained by EMS staff. The health care setting demands a high level of sensitivity when addressing pest management concerns. The SFVAHCS is not only a health care setting, but one that is housed in older buildings that necessitates a greater importance in the routine/preventative maintenance of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. An IPM program focuses on non-chemical methods of controlling pests and is most conducive to a healthcare setting. Chemical applications are regarded as a secondary method and are avoided whenever possible. All services provided onsite will be performed by a licensed/certified Pest Control Operator (PCO) with experience at a Health Care setting. The PCO will be onsite and allow sufficient time to complete all routine inspections, routine maintenance, treatment, and other services covered in this statement of work. The qualifications, credentials, and licenses of the PCO assigned to the SFVAHCS must be provided to the CO and COR for review and approval. The SFVAHCS includes 567,135 gross square feet of facilities space contained within approximately 22 buildings covering a range of purpose and use to include medical, health care, operating rooms, full service kitchens, restaurants, administrative , facilities management spaces, mechanical shops, underground utility tunnels, interconnecting facilities, regulated medical waste processing and waste management, linen and laundry distribution, recreational, storage and warehouse, research, government vehicles on premise, portable storage units, etc. The Wagner CBOC clinic includes 3,072 square feet and is contained within 1 building. The total combined gross square footage is 567,135. IPM

REQUIREMENTS: Integrated Pest Management Services (IPM) required of the Contractor as follows and will be included in the regular contract

pricing: Inspection to determine which pest management measures are appropriate and required. Recommending environmental sanitation practices that restrict or eliminate food, water or harborage for pests. Selection and utilization of non-chemical control methods which eliminate, exclude or repel pests (i.e. inspect electrocution devices, traps, caulking, air, screens, etc.). Selection and use of the most environmentally sound pesticide(s) to affect control when chemical control methods are necessary. Control of general anthropod pests (i.e., cockroaches, ants, carpet beetles, spiders, carpenter ants, carpenter bees, etc.) Control of flying insect pests (i.e., house fly, stable fly, blow flies, etc.). Control of predatory pests (i.e. lice, bedbugs, fleas, mites, ticks, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, scorpions, etc.). Control of stored products (i.e., saw tooth grain beetle, red/confused flour beetles, Trogoderma beetles, grain moths, etc). Consists of all required control methods except fumigation. Control of mice and rats (i.e., house mouse, field mouse, roof fat, Norway rat, etc.) with a snap and trap control system. Indoor Trapping. As a general rule, rodent control inside occupied buildings shall be accomplished with trapping devices only. Trapping devices shall be checked on a schedule approved by the COR. The Contractor shall be responsible for disposing of all trapped rodents and all rodent carcasses off-site, in an appropriate manner. Use of Rodenticides. In exceptional circumstances, when rodenticides are deemed essential for adequate rodent control inside occupied buildings, the contractor shall obtain approval of the COR prior to making any interior rodenticide treatment. All rodenticides, regardless of packaging, shall be placed either in locations not accessible to children, pets, wildlife, and domestic animals, or in EPA approved tamper-resistant bait boxes. As a general rule, rodenticide application outside buildings shall emphasize the direct treatment of rodent burrows wherever feasible. Use of Bait Boxes. Frequency of bait box servicing shall depend upon the level of rodent infestation. All bait boxes shall be maintained in accordance with EPA regulations, with an emphasis on the safety of non-target organisms. The Contractor shall adhere to the following five points: All bait boxes shall be placed out of general view, in locations where they will not be disturbed by routine operations. The lids of all bait boxes shall be securely attached or anchored to the floor, ground, wall, or other immovable surface, so that the box cannot be picked up or moved. Bait shall always be placed in the baffle-protected feeding chamber of the box and never in the runway of the box. All bait boxes shall be labeled on the inside with the Contractor s business name and address. The contractor s technician must also record the date on the inside of the bait box at the time of installation and for each servicing. Contractor shall maintain a log of all bait stations/traps in an electronic (preferred) or paper system indicating the location, placement dates, and activities of traps. SFVAHCS will have access to this system upon request. This could be in the form of an excel spreadsheet for example. Control of pest birds (i.e., pigeon, sparrows, blackbirds, etc.). Control of other vertebrate pests (i.e., dogs, cats, bats, squirrels, raccoons, gophers, moles, skunks, snakes, rabbits, etc.). Bat control consists of all required methods including mist machines, which are to be provided as part of the contract cost. Evaluation of control measures through follow-up inspections. Maintenance of all insect trap lights, and sticky traps will be performed by the Contractor. Contractor will also be required to provide insect trap lights and sticky traps. Drains are to be treated with liquid bacteria and enzymes for digesting organic matter build up. Exterior treatment of all buildings 3 times per year with pesticide application 3 feet up and 3 feet out from base of buildings. The IPM plan includes compliance with Federal Law, EPA, OSHA, CDC Regulation and guidelines, Local VHA program guide, station standard procedures and guidelines, State of South Dakota Laws, State of South Dakota Department of Agriculture, City of Sioux Falls ordinance, Minnehaha County Laws and various laws, regulation, instructions and guideline. The IPM approach should use targeted, effective, and environmentally sound methods including habitat/facility modification, biological/genetic/cultural control, mechanical/physical control, and where necessary, the judicious use of least hazardous pesticides. IPM Plan Maintenance - The contractor will receive an annual call letter or notice email from the COR within 10 days of the end of each contract year. The call letter/notice will include EMS leadership and Executive leadership to discuss the IPM and an appropriate critique will become part of the IPM plan. Necessary changes will be incorporated in the plan. A summary list of scheduled treatments by location must be kept current and provided separately to the COR for distribution within the VA. The Contractor must be able to provide same day emergency pest control services within four (4) hours of notification by telephone or email. Notification will be given during normal business hours 7:00am 4:30pm. The contractor shall have the capacity to eradicate bed bug infestation as required by methods approved by the COR and listed in the IPM. The Contractor must be able to provide same day treatment with four (4) hours of notification of positive bed bug sighting and be able to treat a minimum of 2,000 sq. feet at a time at no additional cost to the SFVAHCS. Contractor will provide all insect lamps necessary and will provide service maintenance on all lamps. Contractor will also provide service maintenance on any existing insect lamps that may currently be on campus. Contractor will provide a list of Insect lamps necessary and share the locations of the insect lamps with the COR. HOURS OF OPERATION: Normal Work Hours: 7:00am 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. The following Holidays are observed by the Department of Veteran Affairs: New Year s Day Martin Luther King s Birthday President s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran s Day Thanksgiving Christmas Any day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. Some contract tasks may require work to be performed after normal business hours. In the event of an emergency, some contract tasks may need to be performed on Federal Holidays at no additional charge to the VA. CALL BACK

REQUIREMENTS EMERGENCY CALL BACK: The Contractor shall respond to emergencies within ONE (1) hour after notification by the COR or his/her designee 24/7/365. The Contractor shall report to perform necessary services no more than TWO (2) hours after notification or within mutually agreed upon time between the Contractor and the COR or his/her designee. This call back service shall be accomplished at no additional charge to the government. NON-EMERGENT CALLS: Contractor shall report within the mutually agreed upon time with COR for non-scheduled, non-emergent services with no additional charge to the government. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL Throughout the term of this contract, all Contractor personnel providing on-site pesticide application must maintain certification as Commercial Pesticide Applicators in the category of Industrial, Institutional, Structural, and Health Related Pest Control. Uncertified individuals working under the supervision of a Certified Applicator will not be permitted to apply pesticides under this contract. No Employee status: The Contractor shall be responsible for protecting Contractor employees furnishing services. To carry out this responsibility, the Contractor shall provide or certify that the following is provided for all their staff providing services under the resultant contract: Workers Compensation Professional liability insurance Health examinations Income tax withholding, and Social security payments SCHEDULE OF IPM Installation Services include set up of Insect Light Traps (ILT), catch all stations, pigeon traps and perimeter residual application to all buildings listed in Attachment