1. Statement of Work (Revised) 7.26.2024.docx

Bison Pasture Seeding

1. Scope of work The purpose of this project is to systematically spread seed on the soil surface on the Midewin to promote natural species and habitat.

2. Background Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie (Midewin) is located in Will County approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago and approximately 10 miles south of the town of Joliet. Prior to the creation of Midewin, the land was part of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant that the Department of Defense (DoD) closed in the 1990’s. During DoD management lands not associated with the manufacture of munitions were either in row crops, pasture or left idle.

3. Technical requirements A broadcast seeder or similar implement that systematically spreads seed on the soil surface will be used for seed installation via ATV/UTV or Tractor. The contractor must ensure an even distribution of seed across the entire site. Seed mixes will be provided and mixed with rice hulls for carrier and given to the contractor by Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. All seeds (commercial and collected) will be cleaned to the degree it can be spread by a broadcaster. COR will provide seeding rate once final seed tally is known. The topography and the irregular nature of the seeding areas requires use of GPS navigation and track recording (App based software like Avenza or field maps). The contractor shall provide spatial data (Files can be KMZ or SHP files sent via email daily during performance of contract) on tracks of seed distribution including the date and seed mix applied. Native prairie seeding requires seed be applied to specific habitats. In this project, three mixes will be put out, dry-mesic, mesic, and wet-mesic. Please reference the included map and table below for acreages and locations. Contractor will inform the COR what area will be seeded, and the proper seed mix will be provided upon request. Approximately 264 acres of this project fall within an area with active bison grazing. Fall dormant seeding can be conducted from September 25th until February 28th. The seed spreading contractor is responsible for distributing seed across the entire project area as specified in the project plan. Once the notice to proceed is issued the COR and contractor will come to a mutually agreed upon start date. From that agreed upon start date seeding in the project area should be completed in 14 days.

Seeding habitat acres

Contractor shall avoid using heavy equipment during times when the soil is soft. Contractor may enter project areas when ground is dry or frozen or with vehicles that have ground pressures of 4 pounds per square inch or less. Work shall be halted if thawing or heavy precipitation occurs. Operation of heavy equipment in creek beds or within creek channels is not allowed. Soil ruts deeper than 2 inches or covering more than 10% of the designated work area must be avoided or mitigated by the contractor. Mitigation will include filling the ruts with soil approved by the COR and planting an appropriate seed mix approved by the COR. Any rutting needs to be communicated with the COR at the time of the incident.

All equipment must be thoroughly cleaned prior to coming on site to remove any invasive plant species seeds and propagules. Compressed air cleaning may be an adequate cleaning method but must be approved by the COR. COR or designated Inspectors will inspect equipment when brought onto Midewin for the first time, or subsequent returns if the equipment is taken off site and returned. Any spill of fuel or hydraulic fluid greater than one (1) pint must be immediately reported to the COR or PM. Contractor personnel must have training to ensure they are qualified to identify such releases and be capable of proper cleanup and reporting. All spilled materials and impacted soils will be removed and properly disposed of as necessary.

Areas prone to soil saturation/mucky soils exist within the project area. The contractor will receive a map outlining these areas. Care should be taken throughout the project area, but extra attention should be paid to when taking vehicles into areas identified on the provided map.

If wind speed is greater than 15mph seeding operations will be suspended. Adverse weather conditions that prevent seeding operations will be discussed with the COR and extension may be granted in the interest of protecting soil integrity and wind conditions that influence seed dispersal.

Part of the project area has active bison grazing. Care should be taken as bison are wild, potentially dangerous animals and should never be approached or harassed. The contractor will receive a written protocol for entering and working in this area. This protocol will be strictly adhered to for safety. Contractor is responsible for conducting themselves in a safe manner and adhering to the protocol provided. Midewin is closed to vehicular traffic except for administrative purposes. Contractors will be given keys and placards for use on site. Loss of keys may result in charging the contractor with replacing all locks which could amount to several thousand dollars. The placards must be in plain view while working on Midewin. Keys and placards are for official use on Midewin. The keys and placards don’t allow the contractor to take tours throughout Midewin by vehicle. The keys and placards allow the contractor to egress and ingress the work area only. All keys and placards will be turned in within 10 calendar days of contract expiration.

During times of high fire danger, the contractor may be required to suspend work temporarily or avoid driving or parking off road with some types of equipment. Ingress, egress, parking areas and equipment storage areas may have to be modified during high fire danger. The contractor will work with the COR and Midewin Fire Management Officer in times of high fire danger.

4. Project area description The project area is made up of former cattle grazing land and is, in part, grazed by Midewin’s bison herd. Dates and times for seeding within the active bison area must be coordinated with the COR. Scattered shrubs and trees are present in some areas while other areas are open. Terrain is generally gently rolling. Soils in the project area can be mucky when wet and frozen ground is not guaranteed in winter. Most areas have vegetative cover present with bare ground being scattered. Fences with locked gates are along the perimeter of the project area in some locations and run between the actively grazed and inactive pastures. Contractor is responsible for closing and locking all gates after entering/exiting the site.

5. Safety requirements

Equipment suitable to fulfill the Contract shall be furnished on a fully operated basis, of modern design and in good operating condition, with a competent qualified operator. Exhaust stacks on all engines, except those with exhaust-driven turbo-chargers, shall be equipped with spark arrestors that will prevent the expulsion of sparks from the engine into the atmosphere.

Contractor shall maintain Forest Service-approved spark arresting devices on any piece of equipment operated by an internal combustion motor. Each piece of motorized equipment shall be equipped with a serviceable round-pointed shovel and an operational fire extinguisher of at least five-pound rating suitable for the equipment being used. All fuels, supplies, repairs and incidentals shall be furnished by the Contractor.

The Contractor and its employees and subcontractors shall comply with all State and local safety requirements and will be thoroughly familiar with the Forest Service Safety Code for work of this type. This code is available for review at the nearest Forest Service office. Protective devices such as hard hats shall be worn at all times according to Federal, State, and local safety regulations. IAW Forest Service Acquisition Regulation (FSAR) 4G52.222-704 Personal Protective Equipment, contractor shall comply with ANSI Standard Z87.1-2003.

6. Covered Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Covered UAS will not be operated on USDA managed lands. The term “Covered UAS” as defined by Executive Order 13981 means any UAS that:

· Is manufactured, in whole or in part, by an entity domiciled in an adversary country;

· Uses critical electronic components installed in flight controllers, ground control system processors, radios, digital transmission devices, cameras, or gimbals manufactured, in whole or in part, in an adversary country;

· Uses operating software (including cell phone or tablet applications, but not cell phone or tablet operating systems) developed, in whole or in part, by an entity domiciled in an adversary country;

· Uses network connectivity or data storage located outside the United States, or administered by any entity domiciled in an adversary country; or

· Contains hardware and software components used for transmitting photographs, videos, location information, flight paths, or any other data collected by the UAS manufactured by an entity domiciled in an adversary country.

The term “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS) means any unmanned aircraft, and the associated elements that are required for the pilot or system operator to operate safely and efficiently in the NAS, including communication links, the components that control the unmanned aircraft, and all critical electronic components. The term UAS does not include any separate communication device, such as acellular phone or tablet, designed to perform independently of a UAS system, which may be incorporated into the operation of a UA.