Revised_PWS_-_140R2021Q0118_0002.docx

140R2021Q0118

Revised A0002 10/18/2021

Performance Work Statement

Goat Grazing Fire Prevention/Fuels Management Auburn Project Lands

1.0 General

This is a non-personal services contract to provide goat grazing fire prevention services for the Central California Area Office (CCAO) under the Bureau of Reclamation.

2.0 Background

Fire Prevention in the form of fuels maintenance and management on Auburn Project Lands is a top priority for CCAO. Previous grant funding for hand crews to reduce the fuels load has included treatments for removing brush, chipping and pile burning. In order to maintain this work, yearly maintenance is required and the use of goats grazing on this land will address this need to remove the fuel load and provide public safety and fire prevention efforts within the Auburn Project Lands.

3.0 Place of Performance

Approximately 200-acre area of the Phase 1 treated area of Auburn shaded fuel break located south of Murphy’s Gate to the Maidu Area. See attached map.

4.0 Period of Performance

The period of performance will be starting in November 2021. The contractor shall provide six months of services during the period of performance. The objective is to have the work start by November 2021 and be completed by May 2022.

5.0 Government Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services

Gate keys will be furnished to provide for access onto the Federal Lands. Contractor will work with Central California Area Office (CCAO) Natural Resources Specialist (NRS) and State Parks staff to coordinate keys and access to areas. The contact information will be provided post-award. CCAO Natural Resources staff and the contractor will provide notification signs for trail closures if necessary.

Access to water for the goats will be located at the Auburn Recreation District (ARD) on Maidu Drive as well as at other facilities within the Auburn State Recreational Area (e.g. China Bar).

Access to Government or Government Leased Property for temporary staging of Camper/RV will be made available with a special use permit provided by the Auburn Sector of the State Recreational Area.

6.0 Contractor Furnished Items and Services

The Contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, management, supervision, personnel, and transportation necessary to assure that all services are in accordance with the contract and all applicable laws and regulations. The contractor shall ensure all work meets performance standards specified in this Performance Work Statement and referenced documents.

7.0 Tasks

Reclamation proposes to issue a land use authorization for goat grazing contract on approximately 200 acres of the existing shaded fuel break to control the annual grasses and invasive plants (scotch broom, ornamental plants) and maintain the existing fuel break for vegetation fuel load density on Auburn Project lands along the boundary of the City of Auburn (Figure 1). The Proposed Action is expected to be implemented as needed due to fuel loading and vegetation conditions.

The following conditions shall apply:

· The Contractor shall perform goat grazing at Auburn Project Lands (approximately 200 acres) to reduce the fuel load from the urban interface boundary to approximately 600 feet from the fence line.

· The goats will provide for Fire Prevention maintenance needs to reduce the fuel load.

· The goats will be brought to the site and allowed to move within a fenced area while grazing. The project work shall be completed using goats. The goal of this grazing is to target vegetation for fuel reduction invasive blackberry in riparian areas and to generally reduce herbaceous and younger woody fuels in the understory of an oak/pine/mixed conifer forest.

· The Contractor is responsible for providing water and food and security for the goats.

· No drafting out of natural watercourses shall be allowed. If drafting out of man-made reservoirs, a screen must be fitted to the hose input to prevent impingement of aquatic wildlife. Spigots may not be located near the project area.

· Grazing is allowed within watercourse protection zones and cultural resource protection zones. However, CCAO NRS/Project Manager will monitor grazing to ensure that animal pressure is not having significant impact on stream health (including bank stability and riparian vegetation coverage) or cultural resources. If negative impacts are seen, CCAO NRS Project Manager may re-direct grazing. Canopy cover for riparian vegetation should not be reduced below 50%.

· If using a chainsaw while cutting material to place fencing, Contractor shall adhere to ASRA Fire Standards for cutting.

· Certain patches of vegetation (usually willow or elderberry) are flagged in pink “DO NOT CUT” flagging. Animals shall be fenced out of these areas to avoid damage to retained vegetation.

· The Contractor is responsible for contacting the Project Manager should questions arise.

· No active bird nests or protected species were found within the Project Area. With all environmentally sensitive areas, identification and avoidance during project implementation is important. Should any nests or species of interest be found during project implementation, the Project Manager shall be notified immediately.

· Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies governing the funds and scope under this agreement.

· CCAO-NRS will conduct inspections to ensure that the services are acceptable. Inspections do not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility for maintaining quality control. Compliance inspections will be made on a sporadic basis. Contractor is encouraged to break the job out into logical measurable units.”

· Contractor use of existing roads and trails will be used to deploy goats onto the grazing sites.

· Contractor use of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) may be used to drive on landscape no greater than 20% -30% slope to heard goats.

8.0 Contract Changes

Additional services required by changes in mission assignments must be documented by a written contract modification. If the contractor receives a request from Reclamation personnel directing or requesting work that the contractor believes is not within the terms of the Performance Work Statement or the contract, then the contractor must notify the Contracting Officer of the request. The only person that has the authority to modify the terms of the contract or request work for which compensation will be provided is a Contracting Officer.