12443924Q0052 Statement of Work.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards Attachment

Project Propagation of River Cane Transplants

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

It is the intent of this Statement of Work to secure services for growing and planting river cane (Arundinaria gigantea) transplants from rhizomes secured on National Forest System lands (see maps for general locations). No materials other than maps and access to river cane rhizomes will be furnished by the Government unless specifically identified as Government furnished Property. In addition, an initial field visit on the first, second or third day of rhizome collection will be arranged to discuss the process and answer questions.

1.1 Description and location

The following information is included as an attachment:

General vicinity maps (2 maps total)

Location: Cumberland Ranger District including Bath, Menifee, Powell, and Rowan Counties as specified by the Government on general vicinity maps. Shortage of rhizome stock shall be made known to the Government and approval shall be obtained from the Government to make changes to add sites.

COR Contacts: Travis Gibson, 606-784-6428 ext. 107, Cumberland District, Morehead, KY.

Project Manager: David Taylor, 859-745-3157, Forest Supervisor’s Office, Winchester, KY.

Acreage: Donor population sites may encompass more than 10 acres, but actual donation spots are anticipated to be less.

Boundaries: Where boundaries are not clear, (generally, but not always occurring as a change from river cane/field to forest, creek or road) boundaries will be marked in orange or pink flagging on trees and shrubs facing into the river cane collection unit.

1.2 Order of Work

The Government reserves the right to determine the sequence of areas worked. The estimated date for starting work will be on or after 15 October 2024. The contract duration will be no later than 6/30/2027. The Forest Service reserves the right to select optional alternative site locations as deemed necessary to provide adequate rhizome stock and meet Government needs. Shortage of rhizome stock shall be made known to the Government and approval shall be obtained from the Government to make changes to new source areas.

1.3 Contractor Furnished Property

For digging rhizomes, the contractor may use shovels and hoedads (or similar for both). Rhizomes must be cut from parent plants with pruning shears, loppers or a sharp knife to create clean cuts. The contractor shall provide all necessary tools to dig and remove rhizomes.

2.0 Background

Small scale river cane transplant production has occurred on the Daniel Boone National Forest in prior years, with 100- 200 transplants produced at a time. Government employees and volunteers then planted the transplants in appropriate locations. With the intent to increase river cane population size, provide stabilization of floodplain in some areas, or both, the Government is looking to increase production of transplants. As funding allows, there may be additional proposals for similar work in future years.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

3.1 Rhizome Digging Conditions

Rhizomes may be dug when the following conditions are meet:

• Ground is not frozen or flooded

• Air temperature is between 35 degrees and 80 degrees F.

• Winds are less than 10 MPH disregarding occasional gusts.

• Not during the period 15 July to 30 September of the year.

3.2 Rhizome Condition

Rhizomes shall be

• From growth not more than 4 years old, and preferably 2-3 years old. 1 year old rhizomes are acceptable if vigorous with multiple nodes

• Taken from the outer perimeter of river cane patches rather than the middle of those patches to increase the likelihood of securing younger growth, unless middle patch growth is clearly younger material

• Collected only if healthy in appearance

• Collected across donor sites, i.e, not concentrated within a population or solely from a few populations, so as to spread out impacts of collection

3.3 Rhizome Handling Requirements

• Rhizomes shall be cut with pruning shears, loppers or a sharp knife when removing them from the field, and when sectioning at the nursery for planting in nursery containers.

• Top pruning of canes for transport and planting in nursery containers shall be done with pruning shears, loppers or a sharp knife.

• Rhizomes shall be protected from drying conditions such as wind/breeze, and direct exposure to air (e.g., sitting uncovered in the back of a pickup, with or without cap) while they are collected and temporarily piled. Wet rhizomes down every 1-2 hours as needed to prevent drying.

• Rhizomes and or transport container shall be protected from direct sunshine or situations in which the rhizomes may heat up, such as covered by a tarp, but in the sun while they are collected and temporarily piled.

• Rhizomes shall be wet down before covering for transport or transported in containers which prevent water loss

• Each rhizome section selected for potting will have at least 2, preferably 3 nodes.

• Rhizome sections shall be planted diagonally in the nursery container.

• No more rhizomes may be collected in a day than can reasonably be processed within 24 hours, and the

Contractor has the responsibility to prevent drying of rhizomes during collection, transport, storage at processing facility, and processing/planting in nursery containers.

3.3 Transplant Handling Requirements

• Transplants (nursery pots) shall be protected from direct sun and wind/breeze during transport to drop off site.

• Transplants (nursery pots) shall be thoroughly watered prior to loading for transport to drop off site.

4.0 Government Furnished

• The Government will provide access to river cane rhizomes. The Contractor shall be responsible for digging, loading and transporting rhizomes from on the ground populations to the Contractor’s location of growing activities. Rhizomes will be considered delivered when they are removed from the ground.

• The Government will also provide a one-time meeting/training in the field at the beginning of the digging season to answer any questions and to show desired procedures.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Tasks and Associated Deliverables: Timely submission of deliverables is essential to successful completing this requirement.

Schedules for deliverables are specified in Exhibit A. All deliverables shall be prepared, delivered and planted according to content, and schedule described in the SOW.

Reporting Requirements: The contractor is required to provide written progress reports (quarterly) for the period (project duration). The original and (0) copies are required and is to be address to the COR via email with a CC to the Forest Service Project Manager. The progress report shall cover all work completed (collecting, potting, growing river cane rhizomes) during the specified period and shall present the work to be accomplished during the subsequent period. This report shall also identify any problems that arose and a statement explaining how the problem was resolved. This report shall also identify any problems that have arisen but have not been completely resolved and provide an explanation. A final summary report is also required which identifies the same elements required for the quarterly reports. The schedules for reporting are described in Exhibit B.

Exhibit A

Key Deliverables Item No. Deliverable Objective Due 1 River cane transplants-

1 gallon or larger nursery pots

Deliver 1400 18-24 month old nursery grown river cane transplants ready for transplant to the drop off site.

To be delivered week of 29 March, 2027. Earlier delivery will be considered, if for example, growth in pots is cramping the plants.

Exhibit B Key Deliverables

Item No.

Deliverable / Item Title

Description Frequency Reference Delivery Format

Due By

1 Quarterly Status Report

Quarterly report documenting tasks and issues identified during the reporting period

Once per quarter, ending Mar 31, June 30, Jul 31, Dec 31

Ref. SOW, Page 4, Section 5, Deliverables/ Schedules

Via email to COR and primary FS contact

The 30th day after the end of each quarter

2 Final Status Report

Summary of quarterly reports and final status

End of contract period or completion of contract requirements-which ever is sooner

Ref. SOW, Page 4, Section 5, Deliverables/ Schedules

Via email to COR and the primary FS contact

The 90th day after the earlier of contract end date or completion of contract requirements

6.0 Travel

The contractor is expected to travel to river cane rhizome collecting sites be planted. The contractor shall factor expected travel costs into bid quotations.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

The contractor shall provide one or more persons experienced in potting and care of nursery stock in the nursery setting. No specific education levels are required, but the individual(s) shall be experienced in handling plant propagules and proper watering techniques.

8.0 Security Requirements

There are no security requirements.

9.0 Data Rights

This section does not apply.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards This section does not apply.

Attachment If applicable, include an Attachment stating Evaluation Factors and significant Subfactors representing the key areas of importance and emphasis to be considered in the source selection decision.

Evaluation Factors

1) Price.

a) Price will be used help determine the successful bid.

2) Experience.

a) State any experience growing river cane from rhizomes. This is the preferred experience.

b) State any experience growing woody plants from rhizomes or stem cuttings

3) Capacity.

a) Provide a statement showing the capacity to produce and deliver 1400 river cane transplants