Watkins Glen State Park Tree of Heaven Management

Solicitation No.

2133054

Type / RFx

RFQ

Level

state

Published Date

March 19, 2026

Due Date

May 4, 2026

NAICS Code

115310AI guide

Jurisdiction

new york

State

new york

Agency

Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation, NYS Office of

The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), Finger Lakes Region, is seeking quotes for: 2026 WATKINS GLEN STATE PARK TREE-OF-HEAVEN MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND Located in the village of Watkins Glen just south of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks. At 778 acres, the park is centered around a 400-foot-deep gorge cut through stone by Enfield creek. The gorge is comprised of flumes, potholes, and 19 waterfalls, drawing in over 1.3 million visitors in 2024 with its scenic views and gorge trails. Stewardship strategies focus on mitigating or adapting to changes to ecosystem resiliency, including invasive species management. Watkins Glen is poised to sustain a serious spotted lanternfly population in the next few years, with frequent visitors from quarantined states and extensive populations of tree-of-heaven. To mitigate and neutralize this risk to the park and the vineyard rich region, we seek to remove multiple tree-of-heaven populations throughout the park while keeping a select few alive to be treated with a systematic insecticide that will act to draw in and eliminate any spotted lanternfly. PROJECT DESCRIPTION To eliminate and control the growth and spread of the invasive plant, Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), as well as creating a limited number of ‘trap trees’ with the intent to attract and neutralize the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) seeks to hire a contractor to: 1. Chemically treat populations of Tree-of-Heaven using herbicide containing the active ingredient, Glyphosate. Application methods will include hack-and-squirt, cut stump, basal bark and foliar spray, based on size and location. 2. Chemically treat pre-selected Tree-of-Heaven with the systematic insecticide, Dinotefuran, via trunk injection Methodologies are further explained in the Scope of Work. MANDATORY PRE-BID SITE VISIT Pre-Bid Site Visits will be held on April 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET At: Watkins Glen State Park Parking 971 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 The Site Visits will be held promptly on the date and time indicated in the IFB Timeline. Attendance at the Pre-Bid Site Visit is MANDATORY. Prospective Bidders should notify the designated contact by the date/time indicated in the IFB Timeline of their intent to attend. At OPRHP’s sole discretion, the start of a Site Visit may be reasonably delayed for Prospective Bidders that registered for the Site Visit but were not present at the indicated start time. ARTICLE 3: SCOPE OF WORK The Contractor will need the necessary certifications, experience and equipment to carry out the required work. The Contractor will be responsible for communicating with the lead agency, OPRHP, on a regular basis until the Scope of Work is completed or deemed finished by OPRHP. OPRHP will provide guidance and logistical support throughout the project. TASK 1: The majority of upland (no ropes access needed) Ailanthus populations have been treated during the 2025 growing season, and these areas will need to be chemically re-treated using herbicide containing the active ingredient, Glyphosate. We expect grow-back from root suckers, and even more TOH emergence from the seedbank, but densities will vary based on the efficacy of previous treatments. These areas are indicated by the polygons in Figure 1 and will need to be surveyed for ailanthus re-growth. Individuals and populations will have the following application methods based on size and location: o All trees greater than 6 (six) inches diameter breast height (DBH) and not located in high use public areas should be treated via the hack-and-squirt method. This method requires the use of a hatchet to make spaced cuts with intact bark around the circumference of the stem. Herbicide is then immediately applied to the fresh wounds.  Contractor will treat up to 800 inches DBH via hack-and-squirt application. o All trees located in high use public areas, or trees that pose a risk to public safety or infrastructure will be treated via the cut-stump application method. This method entails felling the tree then immediately applying herbicide treatment to the stump. All trees removed using the cut stump method will entail all material being removed and chipped at a designated onsite location shown in Figure 1.  Contractor will treat up to 275 inches DBH via cut stump application. o All trees with ALL FOLIAGE that are under a height of ~6 feet and not located in high use public areas should be treated with a foliar application method. Discretion on height will be left up to the applicator performing the treatments as the individual’s height affects the reach with the spray wand and subsequent ability to provide complete coverage.  Contractor will treat up to 2.5 acres via foliar application. All remaining trees (i.e., trees that are not in high use public areas and have a diameter too small for the hackand- squirt method but are too tall for the foliar application method) should be treated via basal bark application.  Contractor will treat up to 1,150 inches DBHvia basal bark application TASK 2: Several upland (no ropes access needed) TOH populations were not treated during the 2025 season for various reasons. Their locations are indicated by the polygons in Figure 2. These Ailanthus will need to be chemically treated using herbicide containing the active ingredient, Glyphosate. Individuals and populations will have the following application methods based on size and location specified in Task 1. o Contractor will treat up to 52 inches DBH via hack-and-squirt application. o Contractor will treat up to 110 inches DBH via cut stump application. o Contractor will treat up to 1 acres via foliar application o Contractor will treat up to 45 inches DBH via basal bark application Task 3: Surveyed Ailanthus populations and individuals within the gorge needing ropes access have not previously been treated and will need to be chemically treated using herbicide containing the active ingredient, Glyphosate. Gorge populations will need a variety of levels of ropes access work to treat. Some populations are located on steep terrain where rappelling gear must be used for safe access up and down the slope, others will require treatment while hanging vertically, and some require rappelling down (hanging vertically) to reach a ledge that can be stood on during treatment. These treatments take place in ecologically sensitive area, in the vicinity of rare, threatened or endangered species. Their locations are mapped, and contractors will need to take extreme precautions to minimize any negative effect to these species. This work requires technical training, experience, and equipment. Gorge ailanthus populations are mapped and shown in Figure 3. Individuals and populations will have the following application methods based on size and location specified in Task 1, with the exception of cut stump treatments, as removal of the tree from the gorge would be unrealistic. o Contractor will treat up to 7 inches DBH via hack-and-squirt application. o Contractor will treat up to 1 acres via foliar application o Contractor will treat up to 100 inches DBH via basal bark application Task 4: Pre-selected and marked male ailanthus with a DBH or six inches or larger will be treated with the systematic insecticide Dinotefuran via trunk injection. These trees have not been, and will not be treated with herbicide, as they are being used as a lure. No ropes access will be needed for Trap Tree treatments. Their approximate locations are shown in Figure 4. (See Request for Quote) PROJECT LOCATION AND ACCESS There are multiple Tree of Heaven populations within the park to be treated. All are located within a quarter mile from a road or trail. Several populations occur on steep slopes or off sheer edges and will require ropes and harnesses. Several populations are located adjacent to Glen Creek and will require water adjacent treatments, but no over water treatments. The target work window is between July 1st and August 31st, ideally between Monday-Thurs. While treating Ailanthus in the gorge using rope access, morning treatments earlier in the week are preferred • Contractor will coordinate with NYS Park staff to get access to the site and routes. • Water for herbicide mixing may be sourced at the park maintenance shop. • Restrooms available at park facilities. • Contractors will be exempt from NYS Parks entry fee when conducting treatments. Restricted time for completion of work: Contractor MUST schedule applications with OPRHP staff in advance and fine-tune dates in case of weather and temperature-related conflicts. Contractor shall perform all work as instructed and under the supervision and direction of OPRHP staff. ARTICLE 4: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Valid NYS Herbicide Applicator license: Contractor or Contractor’s Subcontractor must possess and maintain in effect at all times during the duration of contract a valid New York State Herbicide Applicator License, such as Pesticide Applicator Certification Title 6 of the NYS Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations Part 325, section 325.6.16c (1) Ornamentals, Shade Trees, and Turf. ARTICLE 5: QUALITY ASSURANCE Weather: Prior to scheduling work, Contractor shall provide OPRHP staff with a weather forecast and assessment of work conditions in writing/email. Unfavorable work conditions on the scheduled workday or within a 24-hour period afterwards shall automatically prompt the re-scheduling of work. Treatment will be stopped if temperatures reach above 85°F or as recommended by the chemical label. Support: OPRHP staff shall accompany Contractor to and from the work sites and direct Contractor in correctly targeting the appropriate invasive plant species and treatment area. OPRHP staff shall have the authority to delineate, inspect, approve, or, as necessary, stop work. Inspection: All work shall be reviewed and inspected by OPRHP staff. Record of application: Applicator shall furnish copies of the applicators’ paperwork (e.g. chemicals used, concentration, amount used/acre, surfactant) to OPRHP for its records. Material handling guidelines:  Label instructions, all rules and regulations for the safe and proper handling of herbicide shall be followed. No unused materials shall be discarded in the park.  Herbicide mixing: Sources of fresh water (lakes, ponds, or streams) should not be used. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: NONE

1. March 19, 2026Published
2. May 4, 2026Responses Due