B08_Attachment_1_Performance_Work_Statement.docx

PROJECT TITLE: Special Status Plant Surveys – Applegate FO PWS 1.0 Background on the Government’s Requirement

The BLM Applegate Field Office (AGFO) manages approximately 1,750,000 acres of public lands in northeastern California and northwestern Nevada. The BLM’s multi-use mandate to provide public lands for a variety of uses including mining, livestock grazing, and recreation; while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use; makes it important and necessary to survey for and monitor special status plant species to provide for the protection and conservation of these species and their habitat. Special status plant species include threatened, endangered, proposed, or candidate species for federal listing, as well as BLM sensitive (i.e., California Native Plant Society List/Nevada Department of Natural Heritage Conservation Status Rank) species.

This requirement would consist of botanical surveys on BLM land for certain priority special status plant (SSP) species as determined annually by the BLM (see Section 4.0 Specific Tasks). The work would include surveys of suitable habitat to find new occurrences of SSP species, as well as surveys to update previously documented Element Occurrences of SSP’s for the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB). Some of these Element Occurrences have not been verified in many years, making the information less reliable to land managers and resource specialists.

There are 34 SSP species that occur or have potential to occur in the AGFO (Exhibit 2 – Applegate FO Special Status Species List). While some SSP’s have been surveyed for in the past and documented in the Field Office, new SSP species have been added to the list periodically over the years which may never have been surveyed for in the AGFO. Many SSP’s are associated with unique soils such as ash flows, residuum derived from tuff, alluvium derived from volcanic rocks and vitric pyroclastic materials, and other unique geology such as basalt flows, but some have more general habitat requirements.

This project will result in presence or absence data, rare plant status, distribution, and impact assessments for SSP populations in the AGFO, especially those in which future land management actions may have an impact on the SSP’s and their habitat.

PWS 2.0 General Scope of Work

The contractor is expected to have access to CNDDB Element Occurrences (EO) records, and soils, geology, and vegetation data to assess where suitable habitat for SSP’s may occur to focus surveys in those areas. The contractor will conduct surveys for SSP’s in order of priority as indicated in Section 4.0 Specific Tasks.

For each SSP occurrence, a CNDDB EO record will be filled out via the Survey123 form provided by the BLM and submitted to the BLM with the following data (Exhibit 3 for a full description of data to be collected):

· The approximate number of plants at the site

· The plants life stage (vegetative, flowering, fruiting, etc.)

· Associated species

· Habitat features and condition

· Potential threats to habitat

Surveys will be conducted during appropriate phenological periods to best identify the target species. Survey results (including negative findings) will be collected using the mobile data collection platform Survey123 and ArcGIS online (AGOL). The BLM will provide the CNDDB linked data form and maps via GeoPlatform that can be seamlessly uploaded into AGOL at the completion of each field day. This will ensure that contractors are collecting all necessary information for effective integration into CNDDB. Collecting high quality data contributes to a better understanding of rare species distributions and provides immediate data to the BLM to aid in decision making. The contractor will be responsible for editing their own data and the BLM will be responsible for transferring the quality-checked data to CNDDB.

Place of Performance:

The work to be performed under this requirement is within the Applegate BLM Field Office (Exhibit 4 - Map). It is anticipated that 95% of the work will be field related and 5% will be office related (GIS processing/data editing). Field work will be in natural areas, with rugged terrain, and may involve inclement weather such as extreme heat or rain.

Period of Performance:

For the best results field work will be conducted from April through August each year; however, field work should not be conducted past the appropriate phenological period for each species and most (if not all) SSP species in the AGFO are dried up and/or done flowering by July and/or August. The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year and (2) two option years.

PWS 3.0 Overall Objective(s)

The objective of this work is:

· To obtain information on SSP populations in the AGFO that would be used to better understand rare plant status, distribution, and impacts, especially those in which future land management actions may have an impact on SSP and their habitat.

· To provide SSP data to CNDDB which will benefit the public, other agencies, and conservation organizations by helping to drive conservation decisions, aid in the environmental review of projects and land use changes and provide baseline data helpful in recovering endangered species and for research projects.

PWS 4.0 Specific Tasks

All tasks are to be conducted only on BLM land in the AGFO. The following tasks will be performed in order of Priority, as time and money allow:

Priority #1A: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Ash Valley milk-vetch (Astragalus anxius)

· Lemmon's milk-vetch (Astragalus lemmonii)

· Schoolcraft's wild buckwheat (Eriogonum microthecum var. schoolcraftii)

· Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop (Gratiola heterosepala)

· Ash Creek ivesia (Ivesia paniculata)

· Howell's thelypodium (Thelypodium howellii ssp. howellii)

· California screw-moss (Tortula californica)

· Baker's cypress (Hesperocyparis bakeri)

Priority #1B: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Long-haired star-tulip (Calochortus longebarbatus var. longebarbatus)

· Prostrate buckwheat (Eriogonum prociduum)

· Ephemeral monkeyflower (Erythranthe inflatula)

· Modoc bedstraw (Galium glabrescens subsp. modocense)

· Warner Mountains Bedstraw (Galium serpenticum subsp. warnerense)

· Bellinger's meadowfoam (Limnanthes floccosa subsp. bellingeriana)

· Adobe lomatium (Lomatium roseanum)

· Modoc County knotweed (Polygonum polygaloides subsp. Esotericum)

· Black Rock potentilla (Potentilla basaltica)

· Columbia yellow cress (Rorippa columbiae)

Priority #1C: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Slender Orcutt grass (Orcuttia tenuis)

· Williams's combleaf (Polyctenium williamsiae)

Priority #2A: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Schoolcraft's cryptantha (Cryptantha schoolcraftii)

· Crosby's buckwheat (Eriogonum crosbyae)

Priority #2B: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Grimy ivesia (Ivesia rhypara var. rhypara)

· Janish's beardtongue (Penstemon janishiae)

· playa phacelia (Phacelia inundata)

Priority #2C: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· field milk-vetch (Astragalus agrestis)

· green buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum var. glaberrimum)

· Sagebrush loeflingia (Loeflingia squarrosa var. artemisiarum)

· Raven's lomatium (Lomatium ravenii var. ravenii)

· lilliput lupine (Lupinus uncialis)

Priority #3: Survey and update existing CNDDB Element Occurrences for:

· Susanville beardtongue (Penstemon sudans)

· woolly stenotus (Stenotus lanuginosus var. lanuginosus)

· little ricegrass (Stipa exigua)

Additional SSP species can be added for survey in 2025 or future years if/when the contractor finishes surveys for the first six priority tasks.

PWS 5.0 Delivery / Performance Schedule The contractor should provide data collected (both positive and negative survey results) using the mobile data collection platform, Survey123, and ArcGIS online (AGOL) by the end of the period of performance – August 31, 2027. The BLM will be responsible for transfer of the data to the CNDDB. Digital data should be successfully uploaded data at regular intervals throughout the life of the project using ArcGIS Online.

Coordination with BLM for plant surveys will start September 15, 2024. For the best results, surveying will be conducted between April and August each year of the agreement. The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year of two option periods.

PWS 6.0 Government-Furnished Property, Materials, Services

General:

The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, materials, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the work tasks defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished.

Materials/Services:

The Government shall furnish the following materials/services to assist the Contractor in meeting this requirement:

· A GeoPlatform Account Setup for external users

· Survey123 Form to enter digital data

· Access to the BLM’s Geospatial data library for land ownership and resource management data and a variety of GIS products published by the agency.

· Submittal of contractor’s Quality checked data to CNDDB.

· A government point of contact to answer data collection questions and logistics question about the project.

PWS 7.0 Security and Administrative Matters

Access:

Study areas are accessible via paved and unpaved county or public roads, and administrative access roads under the jurisdiction of BLM. No vehicles are allowed off road. Off road access will only be on foot. Access through locked gates on BLM land, where applicable, will be provided by BLM to the contractor. This may include providing lock codes and a gate key. If access through locked gates is required, the contractor must contact the BLM COR or Government Representative a minimum of 5 days prior to the requested date for access. Vehicle travel off existing roads or cross-country driving is prohibited for the protection of cultural resources and sensitive plant and animal species. Parking on the road edge or shoulder is allowed, provided animal burrows and vegetation are avoided. Road conditions vary depending upon inclement weather and seasonality. Access through private property must be obtained through property owner. The contract award does not grant access to Non-BLM land.

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period for this requirement is only restricted to field work being conducted during daylight hours, starting in April, and ending when the phenology of the priority species is past when it can be surveyed. Work schedules are left to the discretion of the contractor and can include any day if no overtime rate is requested. The contractor will be paid the same rate per hour regardless of when the work occurs.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

Rights of Data All deliverables required by this contract shall become the property of the United States government. The government may publish, reproduce, and use all deliverables in any manner and for any purpose, without limitation, and may authorize others to do the same. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Contractor agrees that he/she shall not assert any copyright at common law or equity and shall not establish any claim to statutory copyright on such deliverables.

PWS 8.0 Technical Exhibits and Definitions Standard Definitions:

Physical Condition: The Physical appearance of Federal equipment or facilities that considers cracks, chips, dents, abrasions, rust, corrosion, general cleanliness, vibration, operating temperature, and discoloration and other items as identified by the COR. Physical condition may be determined by visual as well as diagnostic means.

Contracting Officer (CO): The Secretary of the Interior or designated authorized representative who is the only agent capable of signing a federal award or obligating funds.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): The Contracting Officer’s designated representative as indicated in a delegation of authority letter.

Quality Assurance (QA): Surveillance of Contractor performance to determine performance requirements are met.

Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) (see Technical Exhibit below): The PRS identifies the key performance indicators of this requirement that will be evaluated by the Government to assure performance standards are met by the Contractor.

Quality Control: Those actions taken by the Contractor to control the production of goods or services so that they meet the requirements of the performance work statement.

Acronym List

Technical Exhibits:

EX 1: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

EX 2: APPLEGATE FO SPECIAL STATUS PLANT LIST

EX 3: SURVEY 123 FORM DATA COMPONENTS

EX 4: MAP OF APPLEGATE FO – BLM LANDS IN NORTHWESTERN NEVADA AND IN NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

PWS Page 5

EXHIBIT 1: QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP)

Task 1: Field Surveys & Mapping

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that Period of Performance.

For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

Task 2: Reporting

No more than 1 unsatisfactory inspection result per week.

For 2 unsatisfactory inspections, a 5% deduction from the invoice for that Period of Performance.

For 3 unsatisfactory inspections, a 10% deduction.

EXHIBIT 2: APPLEGATE FO SPECIAL STATUS PLANT LIST

G3

S3

G2T2

S2

CNPS stands for the California Native Plant Society. 2B.2 is a state ranking for a species status within California. For example, 2B.2 means that plants are rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere; fairly threatened in California. The ranking can be found at https://map.dfg.ca.gov/rarefind/view/RF_FieldDescriptions.htm#CA_RARE_PLANT_RANK.

EXHIBIT 3: SURVEY 123 FORM DATA COMPONENTS EXAMPLE

EXHIBIT 4: APPLEGATE FIELD OFFICE AREA MAP

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