B09 Sol_140L3721R0002 spec and clauses_revised Prebid call_0001.docx

Bureau of Land Management—National Interagency Fire Center—Boise, Idaho

21-1 Spring Seed Buy

SOLICITATION # 140L3721R0002

Diane Barker, Contracting Officer Date revision 03/22/2021

Table of Contents

Sections

SECTION A – INFORMATION TO PROSPECTIVE OFFERORS

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CLARIFICATIONS, CHANGES AND REMINDERS FROM PREVIOUS BUYS IT IS STILL THE VENDOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION AND NOT RELY SOLELY ON THIS LIST.

With the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, we are going to continue to encourage Offeror’s to test and offer Pre-Qualified seed for the Spring 21-1 Seed Buy. We realize that not all seed will be harvested in time to be tested and offered as Pre-Qual. WE ARE NOT SAYING NOT TO OFFER NON-PRE-QAULIFIED SEED, we are only encouraging the Pre-Qualified process be used when possible. We will continue to the utilize the Pre-Qualified option (PQ) that is not Annual Brome Free. All qualifications for PQ remain the same other than Annual Brome free. ***This is the only place updated with the additional Pre-Qualified information.

***The Master Bidsheet (Attachment 1) Award Document is the governing document and has precedence over the line item information in the contract.*** IMPORTANT: A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for:

Pre-Bid Conference Call is scheduled for:

March 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM MT Phone # 1 866 581-1353 Passcode # 5201433#

We will be reviewing the Pre-Qualified Seed qualifications, Solicitation package, Attachment 1 Bidsheet, and required submission documents.

1.) Areas of communications that need to be reviewed. Communication is the key element that allows the best working relationship between the Government and the vendor.

A.) The vendor is responsible to communicate in writing to the CO and COR to notify the Government of any changes in their awarded items, such as, reduction in quantity, in ability to deliver, or late delivery.

B.) If the Government is kept up to date on potential issues in crop production, weather problems, or delays in delivery, accommodation can be addressed and talked about. If the contractor communicates early on and often with the COR and CO, in some circumstances, a beneficial outcome for both parties can be negotiated. The Government, of course, prefers to receive all of the seed delivered on time, but in lieu of a line being undelivered and terminated, we would rather receive some or all of the seed late. When seed is awarded in the fall, it is bought for specific projects with seed mixes already identified. Any last-minute undelivered items cause the Govt to shift seed from other projects and causing some projects to be canceled affecting the health of our public lands.

C.) I want to encourage you to contact me with questions or clarifications on the bidding process. I have more time available while you are preparing your bid, then correcting issues after the solicitation closes and I am creating the Master Bidsheet.

D.) Seed lots that have to be reconditioned or replaced seem to be areas where we end up having to check on the status. As a reminder that you have 10 days to replace the lots. If your time is nearing the 10 day mark, send an email to update the COR. The less time the COR spends tracking these replaced lots, the more time the COR has to process test results and accept lines for payment.

2.) Clarification on Seed Certification category We have encountered a significant number of issues regarding the Seed Certification category. On the Attachment 1 Bid Sheet, the requested seed types, you must provide seed of the same certification that we have listed on the Bid Sheet. If your certification doesn’t match what we are requesting, you must move the item down below in the additional items portion of the spreadsheet and update the certification and classification field to match what you are bidding. See Section C 4 for categories and descriptions.

A.) The offered PLS percentage is higher than the actual (tested) PLS percentage. Make sure the test results that you provide are the same ones that you figured the PLS percentage on. The offered PLS must be equal to or lower than the actual (tested) PLS.

F.) Listing the offer as PQ-ABF when the Official Certification Germination Test identifies an ANNUAL BROME SPECIES OF SEED (Bromus Secalinus, Bromus Tectorum, Bromus Rubens, and Bromus Japonicas) on the test.

G.) If the Official Certification Germination Test result (which is less than 6 months old) has a Viability percentage and a TZ percentage, you must use the Viability in your calculation of the PLS %. TZ percentage is only used when the Official Certification Germination Test is beyond 6 months or there is no Viability percentage on the test result.

a. For every shipment prior to delivery, each vendor must provide an itemized list of seed types, seed SSIDs, seed line items, quantities, and Lot #s sent via email blm_id_seed_all@blm.gov of each warehouse delivery. Contractor will be required to provide a separate itemized list that corresponds to each truck load if multiple or partial loads are being delivered. Refer to the Section D Packaging and Marking for more information.

6.) Reminder of requirements under Section D PALLETS A) All seed must be shipped in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the contract. Palletized seed must be delivered in a condition that can be safely unloaded with a forklift. Pallets that are not securely wrapped, tipped over, or excessively leaning may be rejected and returned to the contractor for repackaging. Seed will only be accepted on a pallet sized 48” X 40” unless prior approval has been made with the receiving warehouse. Seed bags cannot hang over the four sides of the pallet. A slip-sheet (piece of cardboard the same size of the pallet) shall be placed on top of the pallet before seed bags are stacked on pallet. Seed bags damaged due to improper handling or improper protection from the elements will not be accepted or will be subject to other considerations as determined by the Contract Officer (CO). In the event the Government must restack the seed bags because it was delivered out of spec, the Government will charge the Contractor the actual cost incurred by the Government in performing these services.

B) Each pallet of seed needs to be clearly marked as to species, vendor name, SSID #, lot number(s) and number of pounds of each lot.

C) Where multiple species or lot numbers are included on a single pallet, the distinction between lots and/or species must be clearly marked. A slip-sheet will be placed between lots and/or species to clearly separate mixed pallets.

D) If a pallet exceeds 54” (inches) in height, another pallet must be inserted before additional seed is stacked for shipping. Unless prior approval has been made with the receiving warehouse. A slip-sheet will be placed on top of the pallet before additional pallets are doubled stacked.

7.) Important information found in Section F 7 SEED DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

a. Required PRIOR to seed delivery:

The Contractor will be required to make an appointment with the appropriate Government RSW Manager or Delivery personnel at the telephone numbers listed below at least two (2) working days prior to delivery to arrange for unloading at the destination. If the seed does not arrive on the scheduled delivery date and the contractor is not communicating with the warehouses about the delay, the contractor may be required to reschedule two (2) working days prior to making a new delivery appointment. Delivery shall be made between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding Federal holidays, unless prior approval has been made with the receiving warehouse. DELIVERIES WILL BE SCHEDULED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS TO EACH Government Delivery location.

***FOR THE SPRING 21-1 SEED BUY THE ELY WAREHOUSE WILL BE STAFFED BY BOISE BLM EMPLOYEES. DELIVERIES WILL BE SCHEDULED BEGINNING AT 10:30 MONDAY AND ENDING AT NOON ON FRIDAY UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.** When scheduling deliveries with the Warehouses, the contractor must coordinate (physically speak) with the warehouse staff.

8.) In Section E 8 2, under PLS Tolerance points you will find more information on this subject.

Seed delivered under this contract will be allowed PLS tolerance (percentage) points as long as the PLS, with the tolerance points, is equal to or above the Government minimum. If the tested PLS is within the given tolerance points as stated in Table 1 - Allowable Tolerance Points and meets all standards including the Government minimum, then the Government will accept the seed and make payment to the contractor at the unit price quoted in the Schedule. If the seed doesn't meet the Government PLS minimum standards it will be subject to a price reduction or may be rejected per Government's discretion.

Examples for Sagebrush with a minimum PLS of .1600:

You bid .1600, you get no tolerance pts. Tested PLS is .1600 or higher, you get the full price. Test PLS at .1599 or below, will be a price reduction or terminated.

9.) Sourced Identified seed bidding process is changing. We have been considering for several years, moving in the direction that all source identified seed collections would be offered by Eco-region and Seed Transfer Zone, mirroring the Sagebrush process. By switching to this procedure, we would eliminate the need for County, State, Elevation, and Precip of the collection site. We are switching to this new process for any New Collection seed offers. Any previously collected seed can be offered by using the old method of County, State, elevation and Precip information. Both options are available on the bidsheet for SI seed. If you are bidding one seed type both ways (new collection and previously collected) then copy and paste to create a second line for the bid row.

If you are bidding previously collected Source Identified (SI) Class seed, the location information needs to be offered in a consistent format from all vendors. The collection location should match what is on the tag and should be specific to 1 collection site, County, State, elevation range and precipitation range. If you can offer the seed from 3 different locations, offer 3 bid lines with the specific site location for each line.

Forage Kochia is an exception to the previous paragraph. Forage Kochia is no longer evaluated based upon collection site location due to it being a non-native, introduced seed that adapts well to a board range of growing conditions found in the west. On the Attachment 1, you still need to identify the SI location site that matches the information on the tags, but the site information can be more generic, including multiple collection sites on one 1ine.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES/PRICES

B.1 BID SCHEDULE

BID SCHEDULE IS ATTACHED SEPARATELY

File name is Attachment 1 Bid Schedule

A tab has been added to the Attachment 1 document with Instructions on how to fill out the form.

A third tab has been added to the Attachment 1 document that is required to be filled out if you are bidding Pre-Qualified Annual Brome Free seed. It provides a document for you to fill out that cross references your PQ-ABF bid items with the original test result and updated TZ test per lot number. You must scan and email, along with all the other required bid documents, test results for all PQ-ABF line items you are bidding. The scanned document must provide tests (original and TZ) for each line item in bid row order and must match the order in the spreadsheet.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATION INDEX

1. SEED OFFERS

The Government reserves the right to award on any item offered in any category, or a combination of the categories, per the evaluation criteria specified in Section M of this solicitation, “Basis for Award,” if it is in the best interest of the public and the best value for the Government to do so. All awards are contingent upon price reasonableness and the availability of funds at the time of award.

Offerors may offer all available seed. The estimated quantities column on the Attachment 1 bidsheet has been removed. Due to the unpredictability of fires, the estimated amount is an unknown figure.

Substitutions: Do not offer alternate species for substitution within a stated variety. For example, you cannot offer Paloma Indian Ricegrass or any other variety or species of grass under the Item No. XYZ Indian Ricegrass Rimrock. You will need to offer Paloma under its specific item number, or if the variety is not listed, then you can offer the item in the Additonals section at the bottom of the bidsheet. If substitutions need to be made individual warehouses will select the species and variety that they wish to substitute for.

Seed bids will be competed on a lowest Pure Live Seed (PLS) price per pound. However, award amount will be for bulk price per pound, expressed with a maximum of two decimal places calculated from PLS price. If one offeror receives award of more than one item, simultaneous performance is required.

All costs of transportation from shipping point(s) to destination shall be paid by the Contractor and included in the price offered for the item(s). The Contractor shall be responsible for any/all damage occurring in transit.

Additional Seed Offered: Vendors may offer additional seed not requested on the spreadsheet. There is no limit to the species nor quantities that are offered. Government makes no guarantee to purchase additional seed.

NOTE: Seed specifications may be included herein for items which are not specified in the seed price schedule.

2. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

All successful offerors shall comply with the Seed Dealers Licensing requirements of the Pure Seed Law for the State in which seed is delivered (currently Idaho and Nevada). For the State of Idaho and Nevada a Seed Dealers License is required (Title 22, Chapter 4). Reference the following sites for the Pure Seed Law by State:

UT - Utah Seed Act

3. FEDERAL SEED ACT, DESTINATION STATE LAWS, NOXIOUS WEEDS - STATE LAWS

All seed offered must meet all requirements of the Federal Seed Act (7 U.S.C. §. 15511610 incl.) and the seed laws of the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, as applicable.

4. SEED OFFER CATEGORIES: CERTIFIED/CERTIFIED PRE-VARIETY GERMPLASM/NON-CERTIFIED/AREA of ORIGIN CLAIMED A. CERTIFIED SEED: For a definition of the various certified classes refer to the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agency (AOSCA) website at www.aosca.org. Once you enter the site click on programs, then “seed certification”. Also, click on “Native Plant connection” to download the publication entitled “The AOSCA Native Plant Connection”. This publication explains the certified pre-variety germplasm (PVG) program specified in the next section.

i. RELEASED VARIETIES: Certified Seed of released varieties (Letter designator (A) in the schedule) is field cultivated seed of native or introduced species produced according to rules established by AOSCA and official state seed certification programs.

1. Wild collected (e.g. released varieties such as Lassen Antelope Bitterbrush or Hobble Creek Sagebrush, can be classified as certified when specific collection areas have been established).

2. Classes of certified seed are foundation (white tag), registered (purple tag), and certified (blue tag).

ii. All blue, white and purple tag certified seed shall meet the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA) quality standards and/or State standards, whichever is stricter, for the State in which the seed was certified or of seed origin. Visit the website at http://aosca.org.

iii. Seed varieties which have plant variety protection (PVP) shall be tagged with official tags from the company which owns the rights to the variety showing authorization for use of the plant materials.

B. PRE-VARIETY GERMPLASM (SEED LETTER DESIGNATED PVG IN THE SEED PRICE SCHEDULE): Certified Pre-Variety Germplasm (PVG) seed is either wild collected or field cultivated seed of native or naturalized species produced according to rules established by AOSCA and official state seed certification programs. PVG seed tags include verified source information of county, state and elevation of both the site or original collection and the site of field production, if applicable. Three categories of certified PVG may be accepted:

PVG certification tags shall include the scientific and common species’ names: specific germplasm identification (information applicable); location information for New Collection 2021 and forward will be Eco-Region and Seed Transfer Zones. For Stored seed collected in 2020 and prior can be submitted as (county, state, precipitation range, and elevation range (latitude may be included if customer requests from certifying agency of the seed germplasm source site and whether or not it is indigenous on that site; the location and generation of a seed increase field from which the seed was harvested (if applicable); and whether the tagged seed is natural –track or manipulated track in status (meaning whether or not the seed germplasm has been altered or manipulated during the original collection or during subsequent cultivated production.

C. NON-CERTIFIED SEED - ONLY IN OTHER OFFERED CATEGORY (Letter designator (B) on the schedule):

D. AREA OF ORIGIN CLAIMED SEED - ONLY IN OTHER OFFERED CATEGORY (Letter designator (AOC) on the schedule):

Offerors must insert, in the spaces provided in the Schedule, the percent of purity and germination of the seed offered under each item. Failure to furnish this data for an item on which an offer is made, will result in rejection of that item. For the purpose of determining the percentage of pure live seed (% PLS) and the pure live seed price ($ PLS), the following formula shall be used:

(% Purity) x (% Germination (TZ))

100 = % PLS

Offered Price $

PLS = $ PLS

The PLS rating and PLS price shall be stated to a maximum of 4 decimal places, rounding the 4th place up if the 5 decimal place is 5 and above. In case of mathematical discrepancies between purity, germination, % PLS, and $ PLS, purity and germination will govern along with bulk price.

7. PRE-QUALIFIED-ANNUAL BROME FREE SEED PQ-ABF

PRE-QUALIFIED-ANNUAL BROME FREE SEED: (Letter designator (PQ-ABF) in the schedule) is seed that meets the Government’s need to rapidly expedite the use of the seed within Close of Business (COB) of delivery meeting all of the requirements listed in Section E 2 and 3. There must not be any reason the seed cannot be used directly from the actual delivery location and date. To qualify as “Pre-Qualified-Annual Brome Free” please read and understand the steps:

STEP 1: The contractor must provide a valid Analysis report which is the Official Certification Germination Test from an approved seed testing facility that meets all of the seed quality standards and is WITHOUT ANNUAL BROME SPECIES OF SEED (Bromus Secalinus, Bromus Tectorum, Bromus Rubens, and Bromus Japonicas).

Sampling of the Official Certification Germination Test and an updated viability (TZ) test from an approved seed testing facility dated less than 6 months of solicitation issued date and up to the date of the bid closing. Seed Samples are not needed with the delivery.

STEP 2: All appropriate documentation (Original Test and TZ update) must be scanned together in one document for all PQ-ABF line items bid, in numerical order by Bid Row, and submitted with your offer. In the Attachment 1 spreadsheet, there is a new tab that contains a spreadsheet that cross-references bid information to test results with lot numbers. The spreadsheet needs filled out and submitted with the attachment 1 Bid sheet.

STEP 3: Upon review of the initial receipt of documentation, if the test result paperwork identifies that the lot # doesn’t qualify as PQ-ABF seed, the line will be marked as “unresponsive” and may not be evaluated in Round 1. The vendor may be notified and allowed to correct the information and adjust the pricing. The line item will be considered for award in the future rounds of the seed buy. What disqualifies seed offers from PQ-ABF are the following items:

1. Preliminary tests or incomplete items of documentation.

2. Seed tests which are dated prior to 6 months from solicitation issued date,

3. PLS rate listed on bid sheet is higher than PLS on test

4. TESTS THAT REFLECT ANY ANNUAL BROME SPECIES (Bromus Secalinus, Bromus Tectorum, Bromus Rubens, and Bromus Japonicas)

5. Or any other issues identified on the test that does not meet the Government specifications.

STEP 4: If after delivery of seed, the offer has been disqualified from Pre- Qualified Annual Brome Free status the GOVERNMENT MAY ELECT ONE OF THE OPTIONS:

Option 1, the Government may elect to accept the seed as non-prequalified seed with a price reduction for the specifications that was not met or was below the offered bid AND a reduction for non-prequalified status.

Option 2, elect to have the seed reconditioned or replaced with a new seed lot# that meets the offered- if time allows. Thereafter, the Government will choose one of the approved testing facilities which will be reviewed for acceptance of the seed and subsequent price reduction determined by the Contracting Officer for the rework. Seed testing costs shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

Option 3, elect to reject the seed without replacement. If seed does not meet contract specifications and time does not allow replacement, the seed may be rejected and terminate the contract for cause. Re-procurement charges may be assessed to the Contractor if the seed is still needed, otherwise, actual damages may be assessed as determined by the Contracting Officer.

Seed certification types that are eligible to be bid as Pre-Qualified: Certified blue tag (A), Selected Green tag (S), and all requested Source Identified Yellow tag (SI) seed species excluding Sagebrush and Kochia that meets the minimum PLS, maximum restricted noxious weed free content standards for all (ALL WESTERN STATES) and free from the following brome species (if bidding PQ-ABF): Bromus Secalinus, Bromus Tectorum, Bromus Rubens, and Bromus Japonicas will be considered. (The Government will exercise its right to perform random seed testing for compliance on Pre-qualified seed.) (Section E).

The seed shall be certified only by the legally authorized AOSCA seed certifying agency in each state (i.e., State Dept. of Agriculture, Crop Improvement Association, etc.). Each bag of seed shall bear the official (Blue, Green or Yellow tag as listed above and the certification tag attached in the approved manner under the supervision of the certifying agency.

iv. All bags containing certified seed shall be marked (stenciled or marked with indelible ink) with the lot number under which the lot was originally certified.

v. Seed purchased under this option will still be labeled with its applicable seed analysis tag.

8. TESTED APPROVED SEED- ONLY APPLIES IN SEED BUYS WITH MULTIPLE ROUNDS

TESTED APPROVED SEED: (Letter designator (TAPS) in the schedule) is a seed lot that was previously submitted, sampled by a certified sampler, and tested from an approved testing facility during the current contract performance period. The seed lot needs to meet the compliance requirements and specifications in the solicitation to be approved. (This excludes: (Freezer Stored Sagebrush and Kochia) To qualify please read and understand the steps:

STEP 1: The contractor must provide the same lot number of seed that was offered, awarded, and approved after lab testing, in a previous round of the procurement process without the need for a modification. For example: if the seed lot number was sampled and tested in Round 1 and it met the BLM’s minimum PLS, the vendor’s offered PLS, and maximum restricted noxious weed free content standards for ALL WESTERN STATES. Then this seed lot can be resubmitted and eligible as a tested and approved seed lot for the Government to use the seed test without further sampling of the lot on any additional rounds during the procurement award process.

STEP 2: The Government will evaluate the Seed Analysis report and will utilize the test for the same lot# of seed that is offered and awarded on any further round or rounds of procurement in the current solicitation process.

STEP 3: If the offered seed lot is found not in compliance with the contract requirements or specifications it will not be approved and will need to meet the compliance requirements for seed certification, seed sampling and seed testing procedures. Inform the Contract Officer (CO) and the Contract Officer Representative (COR) immediately of any issues.

9. ORIGIN AND SOURCE REQUIREMENTS

1. For Certified seed offered under this solicitation ORIGIN (where the seed is grown in a cultivated field) shall only be from a country or state of North America (unless otherwise specified) Classes of certified seed are foundation (white tag), registered (purple tag), and certified (blue tag).

b. Non-Certified Seed (variety/cultivar)

i. ORIGIN Requirement:

1. For seed offered under this solicitation ORIGIN (where the seed is grown in a cultivated field) shall be from a country or state of North America (unless otherwise specified)

ii. SOURCE Requirements:

1. WITH A “VARIETY” NAME: Source is not restricted nor does source information have to be provided since seed is a known cultivar.

c. Source Identified and Area of Origin Claimed Seed (Certified PVG and non-certified germplasm respectively) All geographic site requirements as specified in this section must be met with the seed that is offered on the schedule. Offeror, by submission of its offer, is claiming that seed meets geographic site requirements. The requirement to provide Source Identified (or other category of PVG) Tags or Signed Species Area of Origin Claimed Statement for non-certified wildland collected seed is at time of delivery. Geographic site (New collections require Eco-Region and Seed Transfer Zone) previous collections require COUNTY, STATE, ELEVATION and PRECIP) is required as part of the Bid package.

10. INDIVIDUAL SPECIES

a. SANDBERG’S BLUEGRASS SEED Source Identification (SI) certification and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All Sandberg’s bluegrass seed (Poa Secunda) delivered under this contract shall be accepted when collected from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. However, seed will also be accepted when collected from sites in northern Nevada, Utah, or California (north of 40° North Latitude). Seed from collection sites in Nevada, Utah, or California (north of 36° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude) will also be accepted if collected from sites between 4,000 feet and 7,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Poa Secunda plants.

b. BOTTLEBRUSH SQUIRRETAIL SEED Source Identification (SI certification), and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All bottlebrush squirreltail seed (Elymus elymoides) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected (source/origin) from collection sites in Idaho, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, or Utah (North of 34° North Latitude and south of 45° North Latitude) will also be accepted if collected from sites between 3,500 and 6,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Elymus elymoides ssp elymoides or Elymus elymoides ssp. Californicus or Elymus elymoides ssp. Brevifolius plants. Debearding – seed shall be processed and cleaned so that a minimum of 90% of the individual seeds. The remaining 10% of the seeds shall have awns less than ½” in length.

c. BLUEBUNCH WHEATGRASS SEED Source Identification (SI certification), and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All Bluebunch Wheatgrass seed (Pseudoroegneria spicata) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected (source/origin) from Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Seed will also be accepted when collected North of 40° North Latitude from sites in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or California. Seed from collection sites in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado or California (North of 34° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude) will also be accepted if collected from sites between 3,500 and 6,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number complies with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Pseudoroegneria spicata plants.

d. NEEDLE AND THREAD GRASS Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification - The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Hesperostipa comata plants.

Debearding – Needle and Thread seed shall be processed and awns cleaned so that a minimum of 90% of the individual seeds have less than 1/8” in length of the awn remaining. The remaining 10% of the seeds shall have awns less than ¼” in length.

e. SAND DROPSEED Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All Sand Dropseed delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected from Idaho, and Oregon. However, seed will also be accepted when collected from sites in northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or California (north of 40° North Latitude). Seed from collection sites in southern Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico or California (north of 35° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude) will also be accepted if collected from sites between 3,500 feet and 6,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Sporobolus cryptandrus plants.

f. WESTERN YARROW Source Identification (SI certification), Selected Class (S) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification - Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis) has a key identifying characteristic: five or six ray flowers are white and surround 25 to 30 white to yellowish disk flowers. The source of Western Yarrow seed will be accepted when collected from naturally occurring sites in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, or Utah. The offered seed must be grown (origin) in North America if the SI seed is harvested from field production. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevation requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis plants.

g. GLOBEMALLOW SEED Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All Munroe’s globemallow seed (Sphaeralcea munroana) and gooseberryleaf globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected (source/origin) from sites in Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington or from other areas of natural occurrence in the western USA. Desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) seed will be accepted when collected from sites of natural occurrence North of 33° North Latitude in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and California.

Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Sphaeralcea munroana and S. ambigua plants.

h. PENSTEMON Source Identification (SI certification), and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All penstemon seed (Penstemon sp.) delivered under this Contract shall be collected (source/origin) from Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado, or California (north of 35° North Latitude).

Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from the respective species (Penstemon sp.) plants.

i. FOURWING SALTBUSH SEED Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification All Fourwing seed (Atriplex canescens) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Northern Utah, Nevada, or Colorado (north of 40° North Latitude) and sites in Central Utah, Nevada, or Colorado (north of 36° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude) when collected above 4,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevations requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from (Atriplex canescens) plants. Cleaning Fourwing seed shall be dewinged and cleaned.

j. WINTERFAT SEED Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All winterfat seed (Krasheninnikovia lanata) delivered under this Contract shall be collected (source/origin) from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Montana. However, seed will also be accepted north of 40° North Latitude when collected from sites in northern Nevada, Utah, or California and north of 36° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude in Nevada, Utah, or California between 3,000 feet and 6,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevation requirements The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Krasheninnikovia lanata plants. Cleaning: Winterfat seed shall be cleaned of all stems and other debris to pass through a 5/16 inch mesh screen.

k. BITTERBRUSH SEED Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – All bitterbrush seed (Purshia tridentata) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected (source/origin) from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, northern Nevada, Utah, or California (north of 40° North Latitude). Seed from collection sites in central Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, or California (north of 38° North Latitude and south of 40° North Latitude) will also be accepted if collected from sites between 4,500 feet and 6,500 feet elevation. Ensure each lot number is in compliance with latitude and elevation requirements. The Area of Origin Claimed Statement shall also include verification that each lot of seed was collected from Purshia tridentata plants.

l. SAGEBRUSH Source Identification (SI certification) and Area Collection Specification – All Sagebrush seed (Artemisia tridentata, Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia nova) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected from the correct Eco-Region and Provisional Seed Transfer Zone. Seed from the collection site shall, include verification of each lot of seed that was collected with proper documentation of permission to collect for all wildland collections (Agency collection permits, and or private landowner agreement to collect). Ensure each lot number is in compliance with correct Source Identification SI tag displaying the correct Eco-Region and Provisional Seed Transfer Zone. Sagebrush seed shall be processed and cleaned to meet a minimum of 16.00% Pure Live Seed (PLS) for best application practices.

Offeror must indicate one (1) Omernik Level III Eco-Region and one (1) Provisional Seed Transfer Zone per offer on the bid sheet.

Link for Sit report: https://www.nifc.gov/ Link for InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Link to TRM Seed Zone Applications: https://www.fs.fed.us/wwetac/threat-map/TRMSeedZoneMapper.php Link to Provisional Seed Transfer Zones http://fs.bioe.orst.edu/web_maps/Seed_Zones.html EXAMPLE OF WWETAC MAP and WEBSITE NAVIGATION STEPS **Step 1. Click on Provisional Seed Zones and Seed Zones-All Spp **Step 2. Click on Boundary Layers and Omernik LIII Eco Regions, State & County for your reference.

**Step 3. Identify the one Omernik L III EcoRegion and one Provisional Seed Transfer Zone that the Wildfire is in.

m. NATIVE FORBS – SMALLER QUANTITIES For the following species, the amount of seed needed for an official sample for a purity test affects the available total material: Castilleja linarifolia, Wyoming Indian Paintbrush; Crepis acuminate, Tapertip Hawksbeard; Crepis atribarba, Slender Hawksbeard; Crepis occidentalis; Largeflower Hawksbeard; Erigeron pumilus, Shaggy fleabane; Eriogonum niveum, Snow Buckwheat; Linanthus pungens, Prickly phlox; and Lomatium triternatum, Nineleaf Biscuitroot Vendor will still submit TZ test result (dated <6mos). Purity will be optional. Weed content however will be documented through an acceptable submission such as purity test, pre-harvest field inspection report submitted by an approved State Agriculture agency clearly referring to species offered or other COR approved documentation showing submitted lot conforms to all Federal and western State noxious weed laws related to prohibited and restricted species.

n. OTHER:

Source Identification (SI certification) and Area of Origin Claimed Specification – Seed of all other species listed with SI or AOC need to be from collection sites in Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, or California (north of 33° North Latitude and south of 48° North Latitude) will be accepted if collected from sites between 2,000 feet and 6,500 feet elevation. Unless otherwise specified under specific source identified requirements.

A signed Area of Origin Claimed Statement from the seed collector will be required upon delivery of any wildland collected seed that is not certified as Source Identified seed. The Source/Origin Statement and bag labels (See Section 3. B) for Analysis tag requirements, shall list the state, county, elevation, latitude, and species from which each lot of seed was collected (source/origin). Reference each lot number to ensure compliance with latitude and elevations requirements.

Seed collection dates will be verified by Source Identification certification number and certification documentation. Area of Origin Claimed statements must include collection dates.

o. FORAGE KOCHIA:

Source Identification (SI certification) and Area Collection Specification – Forage Kochia is non-native and introduced from the regions of Central Eurasia. Forage Kochia is well adapted to U.S. rangelands across a broad range of growing conditions found in the west. Forage Kochia seed (Bassia prostrata) delivered under this Contract shall be accepted when collected and verified from the correct subspecies virescens represented by the release of “Immigrant”. Seed from the collection site shall, include verification of each lot of seed that was collected with proper documentation of permission to collect for wildland collections (Agency collection permits).

Link for information on Forage Kochia:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BAPR5 https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_044279.pdf

11. DEBEARDING AND CLEANING GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All seed shall be cleaned so that no stems or debris longer than ¾ inch remain unless stated otherwise in these specifications. Awns removed from seeds shall be cleaned out of the seed.

b. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is required upon delivery of any seed which has been treated with an inoculant or any type of coating.

c. If seed other than alfalfa and other legume seed is inoculated or coated with treatments of other kinds, that seed can be offered, but the inoculant must be identified and a SDS or a product data sheet must be submitted with the bid. This inoculant or seed treatment must be identified in the offer and can be a factor in the selection.

13. IMPORTED SEED

i. All seed imported from outside the United States shall comply with the importation laws of the Federal Seed Act and be cleared for admittance by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prior to delivery. Imported seed shall be labeled according to the Federal Seed Act and proper USDA documentation shall be submitted to the COR prior to delivery. For seed offered under this solicitation ORIGIN (where the seed is grown in a cultivated field) shall be from a country or state of North America only.

14. DEFINITIONS

NATIVE (Seed bid items designated with the letter (N)): A species or subspecies with natural occurrence (indigenous) on a site of defined geographic area prior to 1800. The site may be described by floristic books and documented information from USDA-NRCS ecological site data, PLANTS database, etc. A native species may be described by the States, counties, ecoregions, and major land resource areas of natural occurrence.

PRE-QUALIFIED-ANNUAL BROME FREE (Letter designator (PQ-ABF) in the schedule) is seed that meets the Government’s need to rapidly expedite the use of the seed within Close of Business (COB) of delivery meeting all of the requirements listed in Section E 2 and 3. There must not be any reason the seed cannot be used directly from the actual delivery location and date.

INTRODUCED (Seed bid items designated with the letter (I)) (synonyms: non-native, exotic, naturalized or foreign): A species, subspecies, or varieties not part of the indigenous plant community on a site prior to 1800.

CULTIVATED PRODUCTION: Seed harvested from land (Public and private) that is intentionally planted or seeded for the production of crops. Does not include areas seeded for rehabilitation, stabilization or restoration.

REHABILITATED SITE: Public or private land which has been planted with seed of known and/or unknown seed source and origin.

WILDLAND COLLECTED: Seed collected from Wildlands, i.e. Public or private land that is non-cultivated (areas of plant growth not intentionally planted or seeded for the production of crops).

VARIETY/ CULTIVAR: A cultivated variety of any species or subspecies. A subdivision of a species or subspecies which is characterized and selected for by growth, plant, fruit, seed or other characteristics by which it can be differentiated from other sorts of the same species or subspecies (Federal Seed Act). For example: ‘Hycrest’ Crested Wheatgrass, ‘Luna’ Pubescent Wheatgrass, and so forth.

VARIETY NOT STATED (VNS): Seed trade term used to indicate that the seed in question maybe a variety, or mixture of varieties, but the variety identify is not officially verified by a seed certifying agency. VNS is always uncertified. The Government relies on the integrity of the offeror when providing a variety name on a non-certified named variety.

PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION (PVP): A variety may receive Federal PVP status which means…