R9_NEPA_BPA_RFQ-Att_2.docx

NOTE: This is an example of a performance work statement that was borrowed from another region in the Forest Service. It is intended to simply provide an example of work that may be requested under this BPA and is not intended to reflect a current project in Region 9. Pricing is NOT requested.

SCHEDULE FOR

INSECT AND DISEASE RESTORATION PROJECT

A NATIONAL FOREST

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

SCHEDULE

Total Price:

1. Payment

(a) Payment for individual projects must be made as follows:

1) Upon Forest Service approval of inventory fieldwork - 40%

2) Upon Forest Service receipt of draft report and appropriate attachments– 20%

3) Upon Forest Service approval of final report, appropriate attachments, collections, and miscellaneous materials - 40%.

(b) No changes to this payment schedule will be accepted.

Performance Work Statement for the Insect and Disease Restoration Project A National Forest

Table of Contents

Introduction This Statement of Work (SOW) provides for the survey, analysis, and documentation of the Insect and Disease Restoration Project on the A National Forest (ANF).

Background Established in 1905, the Forest Service (FS) is a federal agency that manages public lands in national forests and grasslands under a founding principle, "To provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run". The agency’s mission is to “sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations”. The FS has the responsibility for stewardship of more than 193 million acres of the nation’s forests and grasslands; for developing and communicating scientific knowledge through research and development that leads to informed natural resource decision-making; for delivering technical assistance through state and private forestry programs; and for sharing knowledge and experience with others in the global community through international forestry.

The FS must meet legal requirements imposed by numerous laws in fulfillment of the multiple use mandates for U.S. forest and grasslands. The FS also has professional services needs to meet program management direction for implementation of projects, monitoring of plans and decisions, and inventory of natural resources leading to future project design and decisions.

The project is located on the [Name] Ranger District of the ANF. The nearest town with lodging is [City, State]. Most sites are accessible by road and are approximately a [30 minute to one-hour] drive from [city listed above].

Crews may camp at site locations with prior notification and approval from Forest staff.

ObjeCtives

· A decision memorandum is created based on data gathered and analyzed in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

· The administrative record is created.

Attachments

1. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

2. Appendices

SCOPE

The Contractor will provide analysis and documentation assuring NEPA compliance for a project that is anticipated to be “categorically excluded” from an EA or EIS, but will require a Decision Memo (DM) and project file as described at 36 CFR 220.6(e). Analysis will provide the documented support for the FS line officer to determine if extraordinary circumstances exist which would preclude use of a categorical exclusion. The resources that need to be analyzed for this are specified below. The project must also comply with relevant environmental law and be consistent with the A National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan as amended. The Contractor will provide the analysis necessary to inform those findings. Work will include contact with FS personnel, preparation of scoping documents, analysis of scoping comments, analysis of relevant environmental effects, maintenance of the project record, and preparation of the DM. Field work will be necessary to support the environmental analysis.

For the project tasks listed below, the contractor must provide any and all qualified personnel, transportation, labor, supervision, equipment, supplies, permits, licenses, and incidentals that are not provided as Government Furnished Property, that are necessary to collect field data and complete the analysis documents.

For all tasks described, correspondence will be between the contractor and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Requests for information from the Government will be in writing and include specifications regarding format and content with a not-to-exceed due date for receiving the information. The COR will coordinate all communications between the ANF and contractor.

Note: Required meetings will be held at the [Name] Ranger District, [address of meeting location]; unless otherwise noted or agreed to.

Attend and Participate in Pre-Work Meeting (CLIN 001A)

1.1 Key Personnel from the Contractor’s staff will participate in a pre-work meeting to be hosted by the Government upon issuance of the award. The date for the meeting will be agreed to by both parties but will need to take place within 10 business days of the project award. The Coordination of the meeting will be the responsibility of the Government. The meeting will consist of one eight-hour day, including time in the field to familiarize the Contractor’s staff with the project area. The Contractor must actively participate in the meeting and lead a discussion of the draft project plan.

1.2 The Contractor must type notes from the meeting, identifying participants, summarizing the issues discussed, and describing any agreements or decisions reached. Notes are due within 5 business days of the meeting.

1.3 The Contractor must provide field transportation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its employees participating in the meeting.

Project Plan (Price with CLIN 001A)

2.1 The Contractor must develop a draft project plan, which provides a work breakdown structure and timeline for the project.

2.2 Based on Government feedback, the Contractor must finalize the project plan within five business days of the pre-work meeting.

Progress Review Meetings (CLIN 001B, 001C)

3.1 The Contractor must, in consultation with the Government, schedule and conduct progress review meetings, approximately one per month, lasting 1-2 hours.

3.2 Location meetings may be required at critical points within the planning schedule. The Contractor is expected to have in-person attendance, or otherwise available, sufficient members of the Contractor’s team to adequately address survey and report progress, any concerns, and preliminary determinations. For price purposes, assume 2 eight-hour location meetings and monthly 1-hour calls needed throughout the length of the contract; however, the actual number and length of meetings and calls may vary. For pricing purposes, assume location meetings will be held in the Government’s office or in the field.

3.3 Additional communication and coordination activities with specialists may be required to facilitate project progress and completion. Contacts will be initiated through the COR with advanced notice.

3.4 The Contractor must type notes from the meetings, identifying participants, summarizing the concerns discussed, and describing any agreements or decisions reached.

3.5 The Contractor must provide field transportation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its employees participating in the meeting.

Project Record (CLIN 001D)

4.1 The Contractor must provide a complete project record. A complete project record is the entirety of the information used to support findings from the analysis and used to prepare the decision rationale.

4.2 The Contractor must organize the information composing the project record by topic and include an index, in accordance with the Government-provided checklist (Appendix I). The geospatial data files and metadata must be included.

4.3 The Contractor must provide the draft project record through the Contractor’s file sharing site. The draft project record must be ready for Government review when the draft Decision Memorandum (DM) is submitted.

4.4 The Contractor must prepare and assemble a final project record, furnished on electronic media (e.g. thumb drive) to the Government within 1 week of submitting the final DM.

Scoping Document (CLIN 002A)

5.1 The Government will provide a preliminary description of the proposed action and maps to the Contractor. The Contractor must then prepare a scoping document using the template provided by the Government to inform the public of the project and describe the proposed action. The Government will handle the document distribution, legal notices, and manage the 30 day public scoping period. The final scoping document must be submitted as both a Word and PDF document.

5.2 The Government will provide an initial mailing list of the interested and affected parties. The Contractor must review the initial mailing list and offer additional suggestions for recipients. The final mailing list for the scoping document must be submitted as an Excel file and a PDF document.

Sequence: Scoping should take place after the historic range of variability (HRV) analysis, fuels analysis, and treatment descriptions, but prior to the final analysis.

Public Meeting Facilitation (CLIN 002B)

6.1 The Contractor must host 1 public meeting in the project area. For pricing purposes, assume the meeting will be 8 hours and have 3 scheduled field stops, though the actual numbers may vary. The objective of the meeting is to provide the public with an opportunity to ask questions about the proposed action and discuss potential concerns. The field stops should be representative of the range of treatments being proposed for the project.

6.2 The Contactor must draft the meeting agenda for Government review and approval.

6.3 The Contractor must provide all logistical information and materials for the meeting.

6.4 The Contractor must answer public questions in coordination with Government personnel.

6.5 The Contractor must type notes from the meeting, identifying participants, summarizing the concerns discussed, and describing any agreements or decisions reached. Notes are due within 5 business days of the meeting.

6.6 The Contractor must provide field transportation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for its employees participating in the meeting.

Content Analysis Report (CLIN 002C)

7.1 The Contractor must prepare a content analysis report that identifies comments received during scoping, concerns to be addressed in the analysis, and draft responses to the comments. For pricing purposes, assume 20 letters, 7 with substantive comments, though the actual numbers may vary. The Contractor must use this process to identify any project concerns that require additional focus.

7.2 The Contractor must propose refinements to the list of resource topics to be analyzed in detail based on the comments identified.

7.3 The Contractor must prepare a briefing for the Government on content analysis, concerns to be addressed, resources to be analyzed, additional design features/mitigation measures, or suggested modifications to the proposed action.

Fuels Survey (CLIN 003A)

8.1 The Contractor must assess fuel conditions to determine their departure from the HRV. The Contractor must work with the Government to determine survey design prior to fieldwork.

8.2 The Contractor must record survey results on the Fuels Field Appraisal form (Appendix D:)

8.3 The draft forms must be reviewed and approved by the Government prior to the development of the treatment description report (Task 14:).

Stream Surveys (CLIN 003B)

9.1 The Contractor must conduct up to 4 miles of stream surveys on the northern tributary to Fish Creek per the protocols described in the Stream Inventory Handbook: Level I and Level II (provided). Base flows occur between July and September.

Botany Survey (CLIN 003C) Pre-field review and planning standards The Pre-field review and planning must be conducted in accordance with the following specifications:

10.1 The Contractor must familiarize themselves with the TEPS Species to be surveyed and the potential habitats which they are likely to exist. A complete list of TEPS Species that are currently documented or suspected to occur on the National Forest is provided in Appendix E:.

10.2 The Contractor must work with the Government botanist to determine plant associations for special status plants, as well as high potential habitat sites.

10.3 The Contractor must prioritize when surveys will take place to accommodate the proper timing for identification. It is estimated that the appropriate field survey time falls between May 1 – 31 for all moist sites which could be Viola renifolia habitat and June 1 through August 15 for other TEPS Species. Most of the plant species on the ANF TEPS Species List can be identified via various plant characteristics over a span of time that may last several weeks, although each species has an optimal identification period. Some species can only be positively identified during a short portion of the season. Not all TEPS Species can be surveyed for during any given week. It is expected that some areas may need to be visited more than once, to properly survey for TEPS Species that are evident at different times of the field season.

Field Survey Standards Field survey must be conducted in accordance with the following specifications:

10.4 The Contractor must perform an “intuitive controlled” survey technique in which the surveyor performs a complete examination of specific areas of the project after walking through the project area and perimeter or by walking more than once through the area. A desired outcome of the botanical field surveys is that major topographic features and areas of high probability potential TEPS Species habitat are surveyed by walking routes. A representative cross-section of minor topographic features, plant associations, and moderate to low probability habitats are also surveyed by walking routes. Each unit must be surveyed intensively enough to locate special habitats and high probability areas for TEPS Species. A representative portion of moderate and low probability habitats must also be surveyed for each unit. It is expected that the Contractor will apply their best professional judgment in implementing these surveys.

10.5 The Contractor will work with Government botanist to identify the probability of an area containing suitable habitat. 100% of areas identified with a high likelihood of containing sensitive species will be surveyed. 20% of areas identified with a lower likelihood of containing suitable habitat and are on less than a 45% slope will also be surveyed.

10.6 The Contractor must complete one Plant Survey Field Form (Appendix F:) per ecological unit surveyed. For example, if a survey occurs on one contiguous scabland, regardless of the number of days taken surveying the area, the survey would only require one Survey Form. On the other hand, if a survey was conducted in an upland dry forest for the first half of a day, and the second half of the day was used to survey an adjacent riparian zone, this would require two survey forms to be completed. The professional judgment of the Contractor should be used to determine what constitutes an “ecological unit”.

Standards: Botanical field surveys must comply with the standards of the professional botanical community. Photos and shapefiles related to each survey area must also be included with the survey reports, to be provided to the Government botanist prior to the end of the fiscal year (September 30) in which it was completed.

10.7 The Contractor must document survey routes on maps provided. LIDAR or other GIS tools will be used to map streams/wetlands in the northern portion of the project area. It is expected that suitable TEPS Species habitat within ecological unit polygons would be fully covered by the surveyors; however, extraordinary circumstances (e.g. matters of safety) may necessitate that only part of the unit be traversed. This exception must be documented both on the map and in writing on the Plant Survey Field Form.

10.8 No previously known Elemental Occurrences (EOs) exist in the project area; however, if new EOs are located, the Contractor must complete EO site forms with photos and documentation of both rare plants and habitat associations

10.9 The Contractor must select appropriate survey dates based on plant phenology, site elevation, seasonal conditions, etc. It is estimated that the appropriate field survey time falls between May 1 – 31 for all moist sites which could be Viola renifolia habitat and June1 through August 15 for other TEPS Species. Some species can only be positively identified during a short portion of the season. It is expected that some areas may need to be visited more than once to properly survey for TEPS Species that are evident at different times of the field season.

10.10 While conducting botanical field surveys, the Contractor must identify and record all plant species that are encountered by the scientific Latin binomial (e.g. Poa secunda). In cases where species have numerous scientific synonyms or where species have undergone numerous recent taxonomic changes, the complete Latin binomial with authority must be used (e.g. Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Löve); this will assure that there is no ambiguity with the identification of taxonomically dynamic species. This information must be recorded on the Plant Survey Field Form and/or additional documents, if necessary.

10.11 The GIS data displaying survey boundaries or tracks, species locations, and populations must be reported in NAD83 UTM coordinates. GPS points must have an accuracy of 3-meters or better; the error distance must also be recorded. A PDF version of the survey layer overlaid onto the harvest units must also be provided for inclusion in the project record.

10.12 The Contract must submit photos as JPG files.

Standard: Element Occurrence forms for each survey area and/or species must conform to the requirements of the USDA Forest Service Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Plants Element Occurrence and Field Guide (pp. 2, 17-20).

Heritage Survey (CLIN 003D)

18.1 The Contractor must provide the professional services to perform archaeological inventory for all areas requiring survey in the project area. Planning units within the project area are approximately 3,480 acres. The area within the planning units that require survey is approximately 1,758 acres (see Appendix G:). Survey of adjacent temporary roads, skid roads, access areas, and staging areas will also likely be required – these areas outside of the planning units are estimated to be about 10% of the total unit acreage. The purpose of the required work is to identify and document the nature and extent of cultural resources located within the project area.

18.2 The Contractor must furnish all labor, personnel, supervision, equipment, materials, supplies, tools, transportation, travel, and incidentals to perform all work necessary for completion of tasks.

18.3 The Contractor is responsible for all other data collection and reports that will be used as the basis for deliverables.

18.4 The Contractor must keep archaeological information and all materials that discuss archaeological site locations confidential (Archaeological Resources Protection Act). All data and materials resulting from this project must remain the sole property of the USDA Forest Service. Assume 5 previously unknown recordable site.s Pre-field Work

18.5 Prior to field work an Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA), the Contractor must obtain a permit from the Forest Heritage Program.

18.6 The Contractor must identify acres to be surveyed and survey intensity utilizing the Forest Inventory design (Appendix G:). This information can be obtained from the Forest Heritage Program Manager.

18.7 The Contractor must coordinate with the Forest Heritage Program Manager to obtain access to known sites, prior surveys, and if there are areas of concern in the project area prior to entering the field.

18.8 The Contractor must conduct pre-field research that includes historical background research, GLO Records, Historic Maps, SHPO site files, and Forest Heritage Program files.

18.9 The Contractor must meet with the Heritage Program Manager and/or her representative prior to the commencement of survey to discuss any questions/concerns regarding the project.

Survey Protocols

18.10 The Contractor must develop survey protocols that consist of pedestrian surface surveys in 20m transects. Survey intensity for an area is dictated by the Inventory Design. Intensity levels include High (100% coverage), Medium (35% coverage), and Low (5% coverage) survey levels.

18.11 The Contractor must monitor all known archeological sites in the project and update site forms as needed.

18.12 The Contractor must record new sites on the State Site form.

18.13 The Contractor must flag a 30m buffer around the site. The buffer will be flagged with FS-provided flagging (white with red dots) and it will be recorded by the Contractor using a GPS unit. The Contractor will tie flagging securely to trees with 7 m spacing between flags.

18.14 The Contractor must produce site documentation (new sites and site updates), which will include a site sketch map, made to scale, using a tape and compass or high precisions (sub-meter accuracy) GPS Unit. All site features must be recorded.

18.15 The Contractor must hang a metal datum tag on a tree or other appropriate object. The tag must include the following information in a permanent marking: site number, latitude and longitude, initials of crew, and date. The Contractor must record the location of the datum on the site sketch map.

18.16 The Contractor must not collect artifacts. Instead, diagnostic artifacts will be documented in detailed notes and by photography.

18.17 The Contractor must ensure that all diagnostic features are clearly recorded. The one exception to the No Collection rule is diagnostic pre-contact artifacts, which must be collected, and the Government archeologist must be made aware of the find. Legal descriptions in the report must agree with those shown on maps and figures. All inventory locations, sites, scatters, isolated artifacts and features mentioned in the report must be shown on the report maps and vice versa.

The FS Heritage Program Manager or authorized heritage professional may monitor the crew while in the field.

Soil Disturbance Sampling (CLIN 003E)

12.1 The Contractor must follow the Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol: Volume I: Rapid Assessment to collect a minimum of 30 soils samples for each unit where mechanical treatments are proposed (as identified in Task 14:), using 40 transects or grids. Samples do not have to be taken on slopes greater than 45%. Samples must be taken when the ground is not frozen or covered with snow, generally May through November.

12.2 The Contractor must record samples on the Soil Disturbance Monitoring Form. The blank form can be downloaded at https://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/smp/solo/InfoPath/monitoring/documents.php.

12.3 The Contractor must provide a GIS layer showing the location where samples were taken.

12.4 The Contractor must propose design features for Government approval to ensure consistency with the Forest Plan and Region 6 Soil Standards and Guidelines.

12.5 The Contractor must provide the GIS layer displaying the sampling points as shape files. A PDF version of the sample layer overlaid onto the harvest units must also be provided for inclusion in the project record.

Silviculture Analysis (CLIN 004A)

13.1 The Contractor must complete an analysis (HRV analysis) that addresses structural classes (formerly structural stages) and vegetation types (formerly biophysical environments) per Regional Forester’s Forest Plan Amendment #2 (a.k.a. Eastside Screens, 1995): http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_033053.pdf and the Regional Forester’s Forest Plan Amendment #2: Revised Interim Standards for Timber Sales on Eastside Forests (and revised environmental assessment): http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5314617.pdf. The updated HRV numbers for structure classes and vegetation types must be used (Appendix C:).

GIS Shapefiles of structure classes and vegetation types for the project area are available. An example structure class and vegetation type analysis is attached.

Treatment Description Report (CLIN 004B)

14.1 The Contractor must propose and draft a treatment description report based on the Government-approved information from 7.1 and Task 8: to determine what actions or treatments are needed to move timber stands towards HRV.

14.2 The Contractor must develop treatment units that have one or more of the following treatments types as applicable to reduce susceptibility to important insects and diseases (including, but not limited to: mountain pine beetle; Douglas-fir beetle; western pine beetle; spruce beetle; fir engraver-root disease-balsam woolly adelgid complexes; Armillaria root disease; dwarf mistletoe; Douglas-fir tussock moth; and western spruce budworm):

· Commercial treatments for trees >7 inches dbh.

· Understory treatments for trees < 7 inches dbh.

· Surface fuel treatments for natural fuels and harvest-generated fuels.

A draft of treatment units is available as a GIS Shapefile and it should be used as a starting point for developing treatments.

14.3 The Contractor must provide descriptions for the treatments under each of the treatment types. An example of treatment descriptions and attribute key are available. The Contractor must provide a shapefile of proposed treatments that includes the following attribute fields:

· Unit number

· Priority

· Logging system (if commercial)

· Commercial treatment

· Understory treatment

· Surface fuel treatment

· Proportion of each unit requiring regeneration due to harvest created opening

14.4 The Contractor must keep the Government’s silviculturist informed of pertinent issues and developments.

14.5 The Contractor must evaluate and document that the project will be consistent with the desired future conditions, standards, and guidelines of the Forest Plan.

14.6 The Contractor must consider road systems and treatment of natural barriers (e.g. shaded fuel breaks, ladder fuel reduction, etc.) to assist firefighters in initial attack suppression.

Fire regime condition class GIS layers are available from the Government for the project area.

Wildlife BE/BA (CLIN 004C)

15.1 The Contractor must write the Biological Evaluation/Assessment (BE/BA) to determine potential effects of implementing the project on Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and Region 6 Sensitive (TEPS) species (Appendix E:) and associated suitable habitat.

15.2 The Contractor must evaluate and document that the project will be consistent with the desired future conditions, standards, and guidelines of the Forest Plan.

15.3 The Contractor will propose design features or mitigation measures for Government approval to ensure consistency with law, regulation, and policy. The Government will approve the determinations of effect and proposed design features/mitigation measures for all TEPS species prior to the development of the draft BE/BA.

15.4 The Contractor must keep the Government’s biologist informed of pertinent issues and developments and maintain close coordination with Government biologists regarding review of the BE/BA and consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (if consultation is needed).

15.5 If consultation is needed, the Contractor must support the Government biologist with coordination regarding review of the BA and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Standard: The BE must contain the standard BE requirements found in FSH 2672.4.

Aquatics Report (CLIN 004D)

16.1 The Contractor must write an aquatics report that addresses how the proposed action will impact the riparian management objectives (RMO) set forth in the Inland Native Fish Strategy (INFISH).

16.2 The Contractor must address the proposed action’s impacts to sensitive aquatic species (Appendix E:). It may be assumed that if the project is consistent with the RMOs, there will be no adverse effects to sensitive aquatic species. A formal BE is not required.

16.3 The Contractor must address the proposed action’s impacts to extraordinary circumstances as described in 36 CFR 220.6(b)(i-ii) and other laws, regulations, and policy.

16.4 The Contractor must propose design features or mitigation measures for Government approval to ensure consistency with law, regulation, and policy.

Botany BE/BA (CLIN 004E)

17.1 The Contractor must write the Biological Evaluation/Assessment (BE/BA) to determine potential effects of implementing the project on TEPS species and associated suitable habitat.

17.2 The Contractor must evaluate and document that the project will be consistent with the desired future conditions, standards, and guidelines of the ANF Forest Plan.

17.3 The Contractor must propose design features or mitigation measures for Government approval to ensure consistency with law, regulation, and policy. The Government will approve the determinations of effect and proposed design features/mitigation measures for all TEPS species prior to the development of the draft BE/BA.

17.4 The Contractor must keep the Government’s biologist informed of pertinent issues and developments and maintain close coordination with Government Biologists regarding review of the BE and consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (if consultation is needed).

17.5 If consultation is needed, the Contractor must support the Government biologist with coordination regarding review of the BA and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Standard: The BE must contain the standard BE requirements found in FSH 2672.4.

Heritage Report (CLIN 004F)

18.18 Using the heritage survey, the Contractor must draft a cultural resource inventory report and site forms.

18.19 The Contractor must offer the FS Heritage Program Manager the opportunity to review and comment on the draft cultural resource inventory report and site forms prior to finalization.

18.20 The Contractor must provide all survey and site data to the FS in electronic and hard-copy form. This is to include survey notes, GPS data, site and survey GIS products (submitted as shapefiles or in a geodatabase). The Contractor must project GIS data into Latitude/Longitude with the NAD 83 datum.

18.21 Within 10 days of completion, the Contractor must submit of the fieldwork one copy of the fieldwork summary to the Forest Archaeologist and COR. The fieldwork summary must include at a minimum:

· the number of sites documented;

· the field assessment of their eligibility;

· draft maps and shapefiles of the site locations

18.22 The Contractor must submit two color, unbound, hard-copies of the final survey report, along with all associated maps, photos, and site forms and other documents, and one digital copy of the report and shapefiles. Legal descriptions in the report must agree with those shown on maps and figures. All inventory locations, sites, scatters, isolated artifacts and features mentioned in the report must be shown on the report maps and vice versa.

Tribal Consultation

18.23 The Contractor must assist the Government archeologist to answer any project-related questions during tribal consultation. For cost purposes, assume 2 hours per tribe for 3 tribes, equaling a total of 6 hours of consultation assistance, though the actual numbers may vary.

18.24 The Contractor must type up notes from the meeting, identifying participants, summarizing the issues discussed, and describing any agreements or decisions reached. Notes are due within 2 business days of the meeting.

Soils Report (CLIN 004G)

19.1 The Contractor must write a soils report describing the projects impacts to soil resources based on the survey data collected and other relevant information. A sample report has been provided.

Decision Memo (CLIN 004H)

20.1 The Contractor must conduct all necessary analyses to comply with law, regulation, and policy and to inform the decision to be made in the Decision Memo.

20.2 The Contractor must gather information and use the information/data furnished by the Government to prepare narratives documenting baseline environmental conditions. The literature cited and the data used in the analysis must be included by the Contractor in the project record.

20.3 The Contractor must gather, assemble and review existing data describing the resource topics to be analyzed. The documentation must be sufficient to, at a minimum (1) assess the resources that will be affected, either beneficially or adversely, by the proposed action and (2) demonstrate compliance with NEPA and other laws, regulation and policy. The Contractor will identify indicators (units of measure) with which to track existing conditions, desired conditions, and effects of the project.

20.4 The Contractor must alert the Government immediately if any resource analysis leads to the conclusion that there would be extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed action. Refer to FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30.

20.5 Project record must be submitted in the file structure prescribed by the Government (general checklist provided in Appendix I:, additional guidance also available). The indexed project record is the deliverable under this task.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The following performance standards apply to services under this task order.

(AQL)

Monitoring Method

Reactive communication is minimized through the Contractor’s proactive communication.

Government requested information is provided within two business days.

Feedback from Government stakeholders on contractor efforts.

Draft review identifies fewer than five missing content items in accordance with the checklist.

Final version is 100% complete.

Government review of the record.

Deliverables are thorough, professional, and conform to prescribed standards.

No deviation to the deliverable schedule without prior COR approval.

Drafts may include only minor typographical errors.

Government review of deliverables.

Aggregated Incentives/Disincentives:

For each missed AQL, a 5% disincentive will be applied. For PS-1, the disincentive will be applied to the aggregate CLIN 001 firm fixed price. For all other missed AQLs, the disincentive will be applied to the sub-CLIN.

Deliverables Deliverables are due as proposed in the Table below; the schedule will be based on the contract award date and the contract end date of November 15, 2018 (15 months).

Due dates are expressed as federal business days, unless otherwise noted.

Draft documents must be posted on the Contractor’s SharePoint, FTP, or similar file sharing site. The Government’s comments on all draft documents in this SOW, including comments on the draft deliverables, will be submitted on the file sharing site, unless otherwise listed or agreed to by the COR. The Contractor must incorporate the Government’s comments and repost the final version on the file sharing site, unless stated otherwise.

Deliverables must be provided in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and/or Adobe PDF, unless otherwise directed or agreed to by the Government. Draft deliverables for review must be in Microsoft word and Government comments on drafts will be in the form of Microsoft Word “track changes.” All NEPA documents must include the required EPA document properties and broken down as needed for web publishing. Final documents must be submitted as both Word and PDF files that meet EPA filing requirements and are Section 508 (amendment to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) compliant.

Deliverables must contain the information mentioned above and must be written in a style that is clear, concise, and most importantly, well organized and easy to use. Poor writing, organization, production, insufficient information, etc. are grounds for rejection of the deliverable.

Deliverables listed below will be reviewed and approved by the Government before acceptance. Multiple rewrites of deliverables that do not meet Government standards must not affect the schedule unless agreed to by the Government.

Task Number Task Description

Due Date (Federal business days, unless otherwise noted)

Notes due within 5 days of meeting.

Final record due within 1 week of final decision memo.

Revised draft due within 5 days of transmittal of Government comments.

Revised forms due within 3 days of transmittal of Government comments.

Revised forms due within 3 days of transmittal of Government comments.

Revised forms due within 5 days of transmittal of Government comments.

Revised report due 15 days from transmittal of Government comments

Revised forms due within 3 days of transmittal of Government comments.

inspection and acceptance The Government will perform inspection of the deliverables and services received from the Contractor in accordance with the Government’s Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The Government has the right to perform periodic surveillance of the Contractor to ensure that the Contractor’s work products and processes are in compliance with the contract requirements. The Government and the Contractor will coordinate Government surveillance in a manner that will not unduly delay or disrupt the Contractor’s performance of the contract.

The COR will review draft deliverables and make comments. The Contractor will have five (5) business days to make corrections. Upon receipt of the final deliverables, the COR/designee will have five (5) business days for final review prior to acceptance or providing documented reasons for non-acceptance.

The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR/designee of the specific reasons for rejection. The Contractor shall have five (5) workdays to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

The Government at all times will have access to the work wherever it is in preparation or progress. The Contractor must provide proper access for inspection.

Key Personnel The key personnel specified in the Offeror's Technical Proposal are considered to be essential to the work being performed herein. Prior to diverting any of the specified individuals to other programs, the Contractor must notify the Contracting Officer reasonably in advance and must submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract. No diversion must be made by the Contractor without the written consent of the Contracting Officer: Provided that the Contracting Officer may approve in writing such diversion and such approval must constitute the consent of the Contracting Officer required by this clause. The contract may be amended from time to time during the course of the contract to either add or delete personnel, as appropriate.

The Contractor must supply necessary specialists (e.g. IDT leader, forester, archeologist, fisheries and wildlife biologists, botanist, hydrologist, soil scientist, recreation specialist, writer/editor, NEPA specialist, GIS specialist, etc.) for preparation of the NEPA documentation.

Archeology The Principal Investigator must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards as outlined in 36 CFR 61, which includes:

A graduate degree in archeology, anthropology, or closely related field plus, At least one year of full-time professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archeological research, administration or management;

At least four months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archeology, and demonstrated ability to carry research to completion.

At least 6 months experience in archaeological survey or excavation within Washington.

Demonstrated competence in collecting, handling, analyzing, evaluating, and reporting archaeological data.

Ability to obtain a valid Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) permit from the A National Forest.

The Crew Chief of each survey crew must have the following minimum qualifications:

An undergraduate degree in anthropology, specializing in archaeology, or equivalent archaeological experience.

Completion of an archeological field school.

At least 16 months of professional experience and/or specialized training in archaeological field work, artifact analysis, and administration.

The demonstrated ability to plan, equip, staff, organize, and supervise a cultural resources survey.

The demonstrated ability to accurately plot archaeological site locations on topographic maps and to map sites using GPS.

Demonstrated competence in identifying and describing artifacts including identification of Toolstone found within Washington.

Must be listed as a crew chief on the Principal Investigator’s valid Archeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) permit for the A National Forest.

Each crew member must have the following minimum qualifications:

At least 24 semester hours of credit in archaeology, anthropology, and/or history courses. Courses must include information on the conduct and theory of archaeological survey and excavation.

Completion of an archeological field school.

At least 3 months field experience in archaeological survey. Crew members must work under the direct field supervision of a certified crew leader or project supervisor at all times.

Botanist/ Biologist Local botanical identification skills, skills in taxonomic classification of both vascular and non-vascular plans of the Inland Northwest are required. Orienteering and photo interpretation skills preferred. Bachelors in biological sciences.

Soils Demonstrated experience in soils survey work is required.

Roles and Responsiblities The Contractor has the responsibility to contact the COR in the event of questions regarding policy, analysis, or format requirements. Agency personnel will be available to the Contractor for consultation and participation as agreed upon by both parties.

The Contractor has the responsibility to contact the CO for questions regarding the contract specifications.

Government Furnished ProPerty The Government will supply to the Contractor the following supplies:

· Cultural resource GIS shapefiles of the project and survey areas, project maps and any previously recorded site locations. Property furnished by the Government will be available at the pre-work meeting.

· Example resource reports and/or forms either provided as part of this solicitation or requested subsequently The Contractor will furnish all other equipment needed to accomplish the field work and site form documentation, according to the specifications of this contract. This includes, but is not limited to:

· Transportation to and from meeting locations and field sites

· GPS units capable of recording feature locations within sub-meter accuracy

· Computers and computer software

· Compasses with azimuth settings calibrated in 2-degree increments, set to local declination

· Digital cameras

· Applicable field guides/dichotomous keys

· Printed copies of Survey and Element Occurrence forms if necessary

· Fire behavior modeling and landscape planning programs such as FOFEM, FVS Suppose, IFTDDS, Flammap, and Behave Plus.

Future use of work products All field notes, maps, electronic data, photographs or digital images, and artifacts collected or generated from this procurement are considered property of the United States Government and will be submitted to the USFS COR with the final inventory report at the conclusion of the project.

All computer files generated or gathered as a result of this project must be deleted from all non-federal computers used by the contractor or his/her subcontractors immediately following submission of the final report. During the course of the project, reasonable precautions will be taken to avoid the disclosure of archeological sites and federally protected species locations to all but authorized personnel.

Government Vehicles Government vehicles will not be available for contractor personnel.

Training The Contractor is responsible for all…