Article 1 — Description
Apply herbicide to control undesirable vegetation within the highway right of way .
Article 2 — Materials
Furnish herbicide materials in conformance with the Department herbicide operations program, as shown on the plans, or otherwise approved. Furnish surfactant, drift control, and blue indicator dye that are aquatic approved. Materials furnished by the Department will be shown on the plans. All use of materials must be in conformance with the product label and federal and state laws and regulations. All mixing and applications must be in conformance with the Department herbicide operations program .
Article 3 — License Requirements
Possess a commercial pesticide applicator’s license with the Vegetation Management (5) category, or a structural pest control services commercial business license with the Weed Control category, issued from the Texas Department of Agriculture. A Department Direct Supervision Affidavit must be completed for unlicensed employees working under a licensed commercial pesticide applicator. Provide the Department with documentation of licenses, Department Direct Supervision Affidavits, and verifiable training records. The Engineer may conduct on- site sup ervision of all mixing, transporting, handling, spraying, and disposal of materials. The Engineer at any time may request documentation of licensure and Direct Supervision Affidavits, verifiable training records, application records, and equipment calibration. The Engineer may at any time request review of Department herbicide operations, program knowledge, and policy and procedures with any employee making applications for the Department. The Engineer reserves the right to determine that applications are being made in conformance with the Department’s herbicide operations program and may stop noncompliant applications immediately .
Article 4 — Records
Document work in conformance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Department’s Herbicide Records or other approved format will be used to document all applications for the Department. Submit a copy of the herbicide records on the next business day following the application. Submit a copy of application records upon request by the Engineer. Submit final copy of all herbicide application records upon completion of the Contract .
Article 5 — Season
Spray herbicide during active growing periods unless otherwise approved.
Article 6 — Equipment
Furnish all equipment. Equipment must be functional and in conformance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Provide the Engineer with documented calibration rates or equipment that is to be calibrated in the Engineer’s presence.
6.1 Broadcast Application . Furnish self -propelled equipment and tractor mounted or pulled spray rigs with a
low center of gravity that allows a safe traverse on a maximum 3:1 slope. Provide equipment capable of making uniform broadcast applications calibrated between 20 gal. and 40 gal. per acre. 979 6.2. Pavement Edges and Structures. Provide spray equipment capable of spraying a pattern that will cover cracks and expansion joints in the entire pavement shoulder and a continuous band along the pavement’s edge. Provide additional booms or nozzles capable of spraying under guardrails and around sign posts , luminaire poles, or other structures within 10 ft. of the pavement edge. Provide equipment capable of making uniform broadcast applications calibrated at a rate between 20 gal. per acre and 40 gal. per acre.
6.3 Handgun Applications . Provide equipment with a handgun and enough hose to reach all fixtures on the
right of way and capable of making applicable applications .
6.4 Basil Bark and Cut Tree Applications. Furnish sprayers with low volume spray tips (Spray Systems 5500 Adjustable Spray Tip X -2 or approved equivalent).
6.5 Wiper Applications . Furnish equipment capable of performing a uniform herbicide application while safely
traversing a 3:1 slope and performing applications in variable heights ranging from 12– 30 in. Use double coverage applications in opposite directions. Outfit equipment with components necessary to provide an adjustable, consistent flow of herbicide, but prevent undesired leakage of materials while storing, transporting, and making applications.
6.6 Storage and Nurse Tanks. Outfit equipment with components necessary to prevent undesired leakage of materials while transporting, storing, or making applications .
6.7 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) or Four -Wheel Utility Vehicles (FWUVs) . Use ATVs and FWUVs to expedite
the work as approved. Operate ATVs and FWUVs on the right of way roadside in conformance with all state laws and regulations .
6.8 Personal Protective Equipment . Follow the manufacturer’s label requirements for personal protection of
employees .
Article 7 — Work Methods
Apply approved herbicide in conformance with the manufacturer’s label recommendations, as shown on the plans or as approved. Add surfactant and blue dye marker at the manufacturer’s recommended rate unless otherwise approved. Prepare herbicide solution to the rates shown on the plans using procedures on the herbicide container label. Mix herbicide solution under the direct supervision of Department personnel. Return any unused, Department -furnished herbicide to the Department. Dispose of empty containers and unused chemical mixtures in conformance with label directions and local, state, and federal regulations. Cease spraying operations immediately when wind or other environmental conditions cause off-target spray drift, leaves are wet, or rainfall is imminent. An inspection of the treated areas will be made not less than 14 days and no later than 30 days after the application. Re- treat areas in which the undesirable vegetation has not been controlled for no additional compensation. All applications made after October 1 will be inspected in May of the following year to determine whether any re- treatment is required. Repair and replace any damaged desirable vegetation or erosion from negligent applications .
7.1 Broadcast Application . Spray undesirable vegetation by broadcasting using spray nozzles at the desired
rate. Spray from the pavement or roadside to reach the vegetation being controlled as approved. Ensure nozzles spray consistently across the area being covered.
7.2 Pavement Edges, Structures, and Fixtures. Apply herbicide to eliminate all grass and weeds en croaching
into or on pavement mainlane, shoulder edges, riprap, and structures including retaining walls, sidewalks, islands, traffic barriers, raised medians, curbs, mow strips, and any other concrete or asphalt structure as shown on the plans, or as directed.
7.2.1 Pavement . Spray a band of herbicide on and along the outside edge of pavement surfaces and curbs wide
enough to spray vegetation growing in the pavement or curbs and approximately 6 in. of vegetation off the pavement edge or behind the curb. Do not treat roadways adjacent to highly maintained or manicured landscapes, such as residential yards or parks, with herbicides . 980 7.2.2. Guardrails and Cable Barriers. Spray a band of herbicide approximately 18 in. wide under guardrails and cable barriers .
7.2.3 Appurtenances (e.g., Retaining Walls, Sidewalks, Islands, Traffic Barriers, Mow Strips, and
Attenuators) . Spray a band of herbicide on and along the outside edge of appurtenances and approximately 6 in. of vegetation along or around the fixture.
7.2.4 Supports (e.g., Sign Supports, Luminaire Poles, and Mail Box Supports) . Spray a 12 in. wide band
around and on all sides of the base of sign posts, luminaire poles, mailbox supports, or other roadside hardware within 10 ft. of the pavement edge.
7.2.5 Handgun Applications . Use a handgun to spray structures inaccessible to spray using boom mechanized
spray equipment .
7.3 Basal Bark Treatment. Apply herbicide solution using a low -volume, low -pressure sprayer that thoroughly
wets the lower 12–15 in. of stems on all sides, including the root collar area, but not to the point of runoff. Perform applications anytime throughout the year, except when stems or stumps are wet from rainfall or dew, or snow prevents spraying to the base of plants .
7.4 Cut-Stump Treatment . Cut plants parallel to the ground, not to exceed 2 in. above the ground line. Apply
the herbicide solution using a low -volume, low -pressure sprayer that thoroughly wets the area adjacent to the cambium and bark around the entire circumference of the stump. Thoroughly wet the sides of the s tump, but not to the point of runoff. Make the herbicide application within 1 hr. from the time each plant is cut. Dispose of removed materials and debris at locations off the right of way in conformance with local, state, and federal requirements .
7.5 Wick Ap plication . Apply herbicide to targeted vegetation within the full width of right of way, excluding areas
as shown on the plans, by wiping the rope wick applicator across the vegetation at a constant rate in a smooth manner. Adjust wick height to achieve the control of only the targeted weeds. Apply herbicide only to target weed species as shown on the plans, or as directed. Replace any desirable trees, shrubs, wildflowers, or grasses damaged by negligent applications. Re- treat all target weeds not controlled after 15 days until weeds are controlled. Pressure- wash all herbicide application equipment before beginning work and again before leaving the jobsite to remove any weed seed on equipment. Notify the Inspector before washing the equipment, and wash equipment in an approved area.
Article 8 — Measurement
This Item will be measured by the lump sum, centerline mile, or acre.
Article 9 — Payment
The work performed and materials furnished in accordance with this Item and measured as provided under “Measurement” will be paid for at the unit price bid for “Broadcast Application” “Pavement Edges, Structures and Fixtures,” “Basal Bark Herbicide Treatment,” “Basal Bark Herbicide Treatment (Cut Stump),” or “Wick Application of Herbicide.” A partial payment of 50% of the unit price bid will be paid after the initial application is performed. The final 50% of the unit price bid will be paid after the inspection and required re- treatments have been completed and accepted. This price is full compensation for herbicide application and furnishing equipment, materials, labor, tools, re- treatment, and incidentals .