B08_Attachment__1_-_PWS_revised_8_19_2022_0001.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

FORT ORD NATIONAL MONUMENT TARGETED GRAZING FOR FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION, CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, AND IMPROVED ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF COASTAL GRASSLANDS AND OAK WOODLANDS FORT ORD NATIONAL MONUMENT, CENTRAL COAST FIELD OFFICE, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA REGION

1. SUMMARY

1.1 Project Description

The purpose of this project is to use targeted livestock grazing (goats and potentially sheep) for fire hazard reduction, increased climate change resilience, and improved ecological health of Coastal Grasslands and Coast Live Oak Woodland at Fort Ord National Monument (FONM). The goal is to reduce the density and abundance of non-native European grasses (using goats or sheep) as well as dense brush (using goats) in some areas and noxious weed species (using goats or sheep) while increasing native perennial grasses and native forbs (wildflowers). The area targeted for grazing is approximately 3400 acres in size. The contract could include up to five years of grazing between 2022-2026.

Location:

Fort Ord National Monument Central Coast Field Office 940 2nd Ave.

Marina, CA 93933

1.2 Access to Project

Access is via Hwy1 from State Route 68 west from Salinas in Monterey County. Turn east onto Lightfighter Dr. then south onto General Jim Moore Blvd. then east onto Gigling Rd. then south onto Parker Flats Cutoff Rd. then southeast onto Parker Flats Rd. and enter Fort Ord National Monument. Then east onto Eucalyptus Rd. then southeast onto Jacks Rd. then south onto Skyline Rd. BLM will provide the combination for the gate to the contractor upon award of contract.

2. EXECUTION

2.1 Grazing Parameters: The BLM requires the following.

A. Approved Parameters

1. Herd size shall be a minimum of 500 head of goats/sheep and a maximum of 2500 head of goats/sheep, depending on the age of the goats/sheep and depending on the state of vegetation/rainfall for that given year. It is expected that up to 2000 goats/sheep per month would be needed between December – March and approximately 500 would be needed each month between April-July.

2. Grazing period shall be a minimum of four months, not to exceed 9 months beginning June, or as late as December, depending on the state of the vegetation/rainfall for that given year and unless BLM determines there is not sufficient forage. Each calendar year beginning in April, BLM will inform contractor of vegetation/rainfall conditions and provide an approximate time for livestock to arrive for summer grazing, if needed. Starting each October, BLM will inform contractor of vegetation/rainfall conditions and provide an approximate time for livestock to arrive for winter/spring grazing.

3. Grazing Methods - Herd would be confined and controlled by temporary poly-wire electric fencing as needed to accomplish high-intensity, short-term grazing of Coyote Brush, annual European grasses, and other invasive species.

4. Goats preferred for grazing Coyote Brush, sheep preferred for grasses, no preference for other herbaceous noxious weeds.

5. Herd watering shall be the responsibility of the contractor. A reliable water truck will be necessary to transport water from a water vendor to the location of the goats/sheep. No spring or pond water from FONM will be used. No municipal water from federal facilities will be utilized except in emergencies. Troughs will be placed on previously disturbed areas and not on undisturbed vegetation.

6. A full-time herder shall live on site to tend and control the goats/sheep, herding dogs and., as necessary, livestock guardian dogs (LGDs). Other duties would include setting up and removing temporary fencing, providing water to the goats/sheep and responding to issues as needs arise.

7. Contractor shall provide self-contained mobile housing. BLM will provide mobile housing setup locations without utility connections.

8. Loading and unloading will take place in the Skyline Rd. corrals or, if authorized by BLM for special circumstances, off Toro Creek Rd.

9. Herding dogs and LGDs (livestock guard dogs) shall have up to date vaccinations and will be under the control of the herder at all times. Records of update vaccinations will be provided to BLM annually.

10. Unless otherwise authorized by BLM, LGDs would be leashed where there is no public access from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. LGDs are authorized to be off leash as long as they pose no threat to people or domestic dogs. If one confirmed observation of LGDs off-leash occurs during prohibited hours than a verbal warning will be given to the Contractor. If two confirmed observations or one confirmed attack on people or domestic dog occurs off leash during prohibited hours, the Contractor will remove the LGDs for the rest of the grazing season.

11. Proof of insurance will be submitted to the BLM. The contractor shall maintain bodily insurance and property damage liability insurance for the Property with a responsible insurance carrier in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 for injury to any one person, $3,000,000.00 for injury arising from any one accident or occurrence, and $100,000.00 for damage to property and fire damage. Such policy shall carry the BLM as additional insured and shall be endorsed to provide 30 days written notice to BLM prior to cancellation, non-renewal or reduction in coverage. Such insurance may be carried under a blanket policy.

12. Contractor shall submit an actual use report at the end of goats/sheep grazing period that describes the goats/sheep stocking rate and duration of grazing.

13. Contractor shall not use Agri-chemicals, including fertilizers, herbicides and biocides, or supplemental feeds without prior permission for their use from the BLM.

14. The BLM shall not be responsible for the loss of livestock due to death by any reason.

15. All vehicle use (pickup trucks, sedans, and with special authorizations, Utility Terrain Vehicles (aka “quads”) will be confined to administrative roads (e.g., Barloy Canyon, Pilarcitos Canyon, Skyline, Oil Well, Jack’s, and Eucalylptus, Toro Creek Rd., Guidotti Rd.).

16. Whenever possible, BLM will notify livestock owner of temporary wet road conditions and ask livestock owner to use alternate access routes or postpone vehicle trips until roads are sufficiently dry to support vehicle use without causing damage to road surfaces. It will also be expected of livestock owner personnel to use their own judgment at all times to avoid using wet roads whenever a noticeable rut in road surfaces would occur if driven on.

17. Contractor would be responsible for reimbursing BLM for the cost of repairing roads damaged by Contractor personnel.

18. All water tanks placed near Barloy Canyon Rd. will be installed no less than 10 feet from the edge of the asphalt.

18. The following shall not be conducted on the public lands without written consent of the Authorized Officer;

19. Remove all litter and herder camp materials prior to pull-off or moving off goat bedding areas or herder camps.

20. No use of alcohol or campfires will occur on FONM during activities related to goat grazing on FONM.

21. Locations for Goat Herder Camps will be approved in advance by BLM

22. The livestock owner’s field personnel is required to carry a cell phone so that BLM may contact field personnel to report lost goats/sheep or public complaints, discuss road conditions, etc. BLM would appreciate notification by phone if livestock owner’s field personnel observe any illegal activity such as off-highway vehicle trespass, harassment of goats/sheep, possession of firearms, etc.

23. Provide goat grazing treatments on target grazing areas below as coordinated with the BLM:

a. Anza Drive Residential Area Fuelbreak

b. Creekside Place Residential Area Fuelbreak

c. Toro Park Estates Residential Area Fuelbreak at least 2 weeks prior last goat/sheep band’s removal from Fort Ord National Monument

d. Pilarcitos Canyon 5-acre dense coyote brush area upstream of Upper Pilarcitos Pond

e. Barloy Canyon south from Barloy Spur Rd. to Lookout Ridge Rd

f. Nine grassland Paired Plot Treatment Areas

g. Seven new experimental plots established in 2019

24. Livestock owner will be required to install and maintain small temporary enclosure fence as may be needed to prevent livestock grazing in certain areas.

25. Abide by all public land laws and closures appropriate for the administration of the public lands at FONM.

26. Contractor and onsite operators shall have completed annually required munitions and explosives recognition training

2.2 Contractor Use of Premises:

A. Sanitation: Contractor may use vault toilets at trailhead parking lots or shall provide portable sanitation facilities.

B. Only contractor personnel engaged in livestock operations on FONM are allowed on federal lands here, driving vehicles where only authorized vehicles are allowed or walking off-routes where public not allowed.

2.3 Quality Assurance:

A. Prohibited Grazing: Non-treatment areas will be fenced or flagged or noted on the detailed map to be provided to the contractor upon award.

B. Primary forage material shall be Coyote Brush, European annual grasses, and other invasive species. Reduction in the density and abundance of non-native European grasses and other noxious weed species while increasing native perennial grasses and native forbs (wildflowers) is the goal. The contractor and BLM will agree when an area is sufficiently grazed before moving herd to a new area.

C. BLM will monitor grazing effects on weeds by installing enclosures and comparing un-grazed vegetation density and composition with grazed. BLM will also have repeat photo point locations to measure changes to the vegetation over time.

3. PAYMENT

BID SCHEDULE (BASE YEAR with 4 OPTION YEARS)

FORT ORD NATIONAL MONUMENT TARGETED GRAZING FOR FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION, CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, AND IMPROVED ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF COASTAL GRASSLANDS AND COAST LIVE OAK WOODLANDS

FORT ORD NATIONAL MONUMENT TARGETED GRAZING FOR FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION, CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, AND IMPROVED ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF COASTAL GRASSLANDS AND COAST LIVE OAK WOODLANDS

0010 - Grazing Services Base Year 09/15/2022 – 09/14/2023

0020- Grazing Services Option Year 1 09/15/2023 – 09/14/2024

0030- Grazing Services Option Year 2 09/15/2024 – 09/14/2025

0040- Grazing Services Option Year 3 09/15/2025 – 09/14/2026

0050- Grazing Services Option Year 4 09/15/2026 – 09/14/2027