Attachment_1_-_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS).pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Understory Vegetation Planting Requirements

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide [seeding and planting services]. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform [seeding and planting services] as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, St Marks National Wildlife Refuge has need for understory planting as part of a Burned Area Rehabilitation project. As partners with The Nature Conservancy we have a history of working together and they have the expertise and skill to perform the understory vegetation planting required.

1.4 Scope: Understory Vegetation Planting Requirements

This planting project is located at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County, Florida and is referenced as the (Logging Debris Fire BAR Project).

The project consists of mechanically seeding approximately 1,780 pounds of wiregrass seed on 178 acres with a Grasslander Seeder. Planting may commence as early as December 1, 2025 and must be completed by January 31, 2026.

This project area is located within the Wakulla Unit, Tract 216 (See Map 1)

Acquire: 1,780 pounds of wiregrass seed

Plant: Wiregrass seed at 10 pounds/acre over 178 acres = 1,780 pounds of seed

The site will have been mechanically site prepped, treated with herbicide, and burned. Planting may be complicated by natural vegetation and logging debris. Other areas may have low ground cover, such as grasses with isolated areas of small shrubs.

Scope of Work

1. The Permittee/Contractor is responsible for the collection, cleaning, storage, and transport of the seed.

2. The Refuge Forester shall identify all sites to be planted.

3. The Contractor will mechanically plant 1,780 pounds of seed on 178 acres.

4. The planting rate for the wiregrass seed will be 10 pounds/acre on 178 acres.

5. Seed shall be planted at the proper depth.

6. The planting foreman shall monitor planting to ensure seed is correctly planted.

7. The Refuge Forester has the authority to have any areas replanted at the Permittee’s expense that they believe were not planted properly or that the contractor’s personnel mishandled seed.

8. The Refuge Forester can stop the planting operation anytime unfavorable weather conditions prevail.

9. The contractor shall be responsible for the cleanup of seed containers, trash, and wrapping materials.

The contractor shall properly dispose of trash after planting all seedlings.

10. The contractor is responsible for any damage the crew causes to gates, fences, roadways, or other infrastructure.

11. The Contractor shall provide a daily log of the area and acres planted.

12. The Refuge Forester shall monitor the planting operation with onsite inspections and audit planted areas.

13. The Refuge Forester shall select the area to begin work and determine the sequence in which the site will be planted.

Performance Requirements

1. It is recommended, but not required, that all Contractor’s examine the site for operability limitations and for verifying the acreages listed in this quote. Bidders should be fully informed of the conditions and materials to be encountered (i.e. location of the site, quality and quantity of work to be performed, materials to be furnished, the nature of the ground and surface, location of buried utilities, any conditions surrounding and affecting the work, obstructions, the nature of any existing construction, and all other physical characteristics of the job).

2. The Contractor and/or their employees shall do all in their power to prevent and suppress forest fires:

shall pay the United States Government for any unnecessary damage resulting from the operation herein permitted; and shall repair all damages to roads, fences, gates, ditches, trails, telephone poles, and power lines resulting from the operation conducted hereunder except where otherwise provided for.

3. A pre-entry conference with the Refuge Forester and the Contractor will be held before any work is done on the planting site.

4. The Contractor will have access to only those lands described in the planting area and shall conduct planting operations during daylight hours only Monday through Friday. Operations on Saturday, Sunday, or Federal Holiday must be approved by the Refuge Manager.

5. The Contractor (or their representatives) will not litter. Littering violations will be handled under

Federal Code of Regulations 50CFR27.94(a) and carry a fine of $125.00 per incident upon conviction.

6. All Refuge regulations apply unless superseded by these special conditions.

7. The Contractor will comply with the State of Florida Silviculture Best Management Practices as stated under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Silviculture BMPs publication Silviculture Best Management Practices Manual. This publication can be found on the internet at

(Silviculture Best Management Practices / Forest & Wildfire / Home - Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (fdacs.gov)).

8. The Contractor shall notify a Refuge Official of any oil or hazardous material spill as soon as possible.

The contractor is responsible for the cleanup and removal of any spilled oil or hazardous material.

9. The Contractor shall submit an invoice upon completion. Payments shall be made upon approval of invoices by the Refuge Manager.

10. The Contractor shall provide all labor and equipment necessary to complete the project. The Contractor shall provide all equipment necessary to complete planting as specified in the scope of work.

11. The Contractor shall comply with all SMNWR rules and regulations. Note that the SMNWR land is open to public use and hunting. Contractor personnel shall wear state-approved hunter safety orange if working during refuge hunting season.

12. The Contractor shall provide Refuge Forester at least four days’ notice prior to the date he/she anticipates commencement of planting.

https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Silviculture-Best-Management-Practices https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Silviculture-Best-Management-Practices

1.5 Period of Performance: [October 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026.]

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: [Contractor is not required to perform services on holidays.]

New Year’s Day Juneteenth Labor Day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of [8:00 am thru 4:00pm] Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at:

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla County, Florida

1255 Lighthouse Road St. Marks FL 32355

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a (Firm Fixed Price Contract)

1.6.7.1 PHYSICAL Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use.

1.6.7.2 Key Control. Not applicable

1.6.7.3 Lock Combinations (Not applicable).

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: [at least 5 years’ experience in performing this work.]

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with

Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues.

These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance:

maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract:

issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

(This section includes all appropriate terms and phrases for this PWS. The definition must be clear and concise, not ambiguous. Carefully consider each definition because they will be binding for the duration of this contract, unless modified. In addition, include a complete listing of all acronyms and words or phrases they represent.)

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS: [List any terms used within the PWS that require further definition. At a minimum, insert the definitions provided below].

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS: [List all acronyms used in the PWS and what they represent. At a minimum, insert the acronyms provided below].

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative AFARS Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement AR Army Regulation CCE Contracting Center of Excellence CFR Code of Federal Regulations CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf DA Department of the Army DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report) DD254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center DOD Department of Defense FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs PIPO Phase In/Phase Out POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TE Technical Exhibit

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

(This section should identify those items such as property, information and/or services that will be provided for the contractor’s use (without cost to the contractor) to allow them to provide the required services, such as materials, facilities, training, etc. Examples provided below.)

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services (If applicable): The Government will provide [Insert the services that will be provided, i.e., may include personnel to assist with production set-up].

3.2 Facilities (If applicable): The Government will provide [Insert what facilities will be provided, i.e., the necessary workspace for the contractor staff to provide the support outlined in the PWS to include desk space, telephones, computers, and other items necessary to maintain an office environment].

3.3 Utilities (If applicable): The Government will provide [Insert what utilities will be provided, i.e., all utilities in the facility will be available for the contractor’s use in performance of tasks outlined in this PWS.] If utilities are furnished, the following is required: The Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

3.4 Equipment (If applicable): The Government will provide [Insert what equipment will be provided and/or what the contractor will have access to, i.e., scanners fax machines, printers, shipping crates, lighting and sound, etc.]

3.5 Materials (If applicable): The Government will provide [Insert what materials will be provided, i.e., Standard Operating Procedures and Policies.]

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

(This section is used to identify the materials and equipment that the contractor must provide. Examples provided below.)

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General (If applicable): The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance (If applicable): The contractor shall possess and maintain a SECRET facility clearance from the Defense Security Service. The Contractor’s employees, performing work in support of this contract shall have been granted a SECRET security clearance from the Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office. The DD 254 is provided as Attachment [Insert the attachment number].

4.3. Materials (If applicable). The Contractor shall [Insert what materials will be provided, i.e., furnish materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS].

4.4. Equipment (If applicable). The Contractor shall [Insert what equipment will be provided, i.e., furnish tractors, lighting and sound, containers, etc. to meet the requirements under this PWS].

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

(This section is the heart of the PWS. All of the services to be performed under the contract should be described in sufficient detail here. This includes all general tasks required by the Government.)

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for [Insert the services and/or tasks to be provided by the contractor].

5.2. Task Heading. (If applicable) [Insert the specific task to be provided in sequential order, i.e.,5.2, 5.3, etc. by the contractor]

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

(In this section list any publications, manuals, and/or regulations that the contractor must abide by. See example provided below.)

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS) (If applicable): (In this section list any publications, manuals, and/or regulations that the contractor must abide by. See example provided below.)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures. (For example, insert AR 25-2, AR 530-1.)

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

(Under this section list all attachments and technical exhibits that will be useful for the contractor to submit an appropriate proposal. )

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary (This document is required for every PWS. See attached example for format.)

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective (The Service required—usually a shall statement)

Standard Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1.

The contractor shall provide [Insert an objective that relates directly to a mission essential required item, i.e., analysis of DoD Business Process and Agency Operating Models and the PWS paragraph number, i.e., PWS paragraph 5.5].

The contractor provided [Insert the standard that should be followed, i.e, analysis of DoD Business Process and Agency Operating Model].

[Insert the minimum acceptable level of service, i.e., No more than one customer complaint per report.]

[Insert the method of surveillance ( see listing below) and who performs, i.e., Validated Customer Complaint received by

COR.]

PRS # 2

(See example provided in PRS 1.)

(See example provided in

PRS 1.)

(See example provided in

PRS 1.)

PRS # 3

PRS 1.)

(See example provided in

PRS 1.)

PRS # 4

PRS 1.)

(See example provided in

PRS 1.)

The following listing provides various types of Surveillance as examples to select from and should not be included on the final document:

Random Sampling: Appropriate for frequently recurring tasks. Evaluate randomly selected samples of the lot to determine the acceptability of the entire lot.

Random Inspection Guide, Method of surveillance, Lot size, Sample size, Performance requirement, Sampling procedure, Inspection procedure

100 Percent Inspection: Appropriate for tasks that occur infrequently. Inspect and evaluate performance each time task is performed

Periodic Surveillance: Evaluation of samples selected on other than 100% or statistically random basis. (i.e., monthly, quarterly, semi-annually etc.)

Validated Customer Complaint: Complaints must be validated.

NOTE: YOU MAY ALSO IDENTIFY ANY SURVEILLANCE METHOD USED IN THE COMMERCIAL

MARKET TO SURVEY THE REQUIRED SERVICE. (THIS WILL BE DISCOVERED WHEN MARKET

RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED).