2390641 ILARNG SOW INRMP APR2026.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

To Prepare An

INTEGRATED NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN

UPDATE

For The

SPARTA TRAINING AREA

ILLINOIS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

April 2026

ILLINOIS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PAGE 2

APRIL 2026

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

The Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) is responsible for natural resources management of the 2,653 acre Sparta Training Area (STA) located in Randolph County, Illinois. The last update to the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) was completed for the STA in July 2013. The ILARNG is seeking a Consultant to prepare an update of the STA INRMP.

The goal of revising the INRMP is to provide a plan that does not require major text revisions and a complete rewrite every time a five-year revision is due. The current INRMP contains background information, natural resources description information, and descriptions of management philosophies and practices. Much of this information will be used with minimal changes in the updated INRMP. The current plans will be reviewed, revised, updated where necessary, and reformatted in accordance with the current Army National Guard (ARNG) INRMP Template. The updated INRMP must, at minimum, follow this template, but may include additional sections if necessary and as approved by the ILARNG. The Consultant may also reference and, as applicable and compatible with the ARNG Template, use ideas from the Army INRMP Template to reorganize the INRMP. The Consultant will work closely with the ILARNG Environmental Branch Manager, the training site natural resource manager and other ILARNG personnel as necessary while updating the INRMP. The final updated INRMP content and format must be acceptable to the ILARNG.

Most management actions/practices identified in the current INRMP will remain unchanged in the updated plan. The main programs in the current INRMP will continue to be implemented.

The majority of changes will be in the area of scheduling rather than management goals, philosophies, techniques, and practices. There are no major changes anticipated in the updated INRMP for STA. The ILARNG will complete an Environmental Checklist and Record of Consideration (REC) for the STA INRMP update.

The Sikes Act Improvement Act (SAIA) of 1997, 16 U.S. Code (USC) §670a et seq., as amended, requires Federal military installations with adequate wildlife habitat to develop a long-range INRMP and implement cooperative agreements with other agencies. All of STA land is state owned. For this reason, STA is not a “military installation” as defined in the SAIA. This INRMP is an Army policy INRMP pursuant to the U.S. Army policy dated 25 May 2006 “Guidance for Implementation of the SAIA”. An INRMP is required by Army INRMP Policy for the STA because installation conducts intensive, on-the-ground military missions that require conservation measures to minimize impacts (e.g. soil erosion, prescribed burning, invasive species control) and sustain natural resources. The INRMP update is intended to be consistent with the SAIA.

The Consultant will provide professional and technical personnel, labor, facilities, equipment, materials, transportation and supplies needed to complete this scope of work. The Consultant will comply and conform to applicable rules, regulations, standards, and directives in the performance of this effort. The Consultant’s focus will be to provide the ILARNG with an INRMP update suitable to the needs of the ILARNG. The Consultant will advise the ILARNG, but the ILARNG is responsible for management of the natural resources and will determine, in conjunction with the cooperating agencies, how the resources are managed. The Consultant’s primary job is to update and revise the STA INRMP to include the ILARNG management philosophies and practices.

All maps and electronic data associated with this effort will be in Geographic Information System (GIS) format (ARCPRO format) compatible with the ILARNG GIS system. Maps and other graphic data will also be given in PDF format. Reports will be submitted in hard copy and electronically in Microsoft Word and PDF format.

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1.2 Available ILARNG Planning Documents

The ILARNG will provide the Consultant with project- and site-related planning documents that will facilitate the completion of the SOW. The documents that are expected to be made available to the Consultant are as follows, at a minimum:

GIS files or other information indicating installation features, topography, vegetation, soil types, or other natural resources.

Information on proposed operations including type of military activities and anticipated user units (e.g., types of, locations of, frequencies of, duration of, and troop involvement in training activities);

Current Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP);

Current or draft Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan (ICRMP);

Installation Planning Level Surveys (PLS);

Information on any new documents or studies detailing biological surveys including plant, animals, and natural communities;

A copy of ILARNG’s Real Property Development Plan (or analogous documents) and

ILARNG military mission statement.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

The following tasks will be undertaken to execute this SOW. The tasks are divided and sequenced to allow the process to proceed in a manageable, well-organized fashion. Copies of each deliverable itemized in this section, unless otherwise specified, will be provided to the ILARNG Point-of-Contact (POC) by the Consultant. Internal and external circulation of all deliverables will be the sole responsibility of the ILARNG POC.

2.1 Task 1: Kick-off Meeting and Site Visit

The Consultant will attend a one-day meeting with ILARNG representatives (i.e., training officers, land management personnel, and environmental staff) at the STA in Randolph County, Illinois. At this meeting, the Consultant will be furnished with relevant documents, files and information, including those listed in Section 1.2, as available. Whenever possible, this data will be provided to the Consultant in electronic format. The ILARNG POC will be responsible for copying documents in cases where the original cannot be distributed to the Consultant for the Consultant’s use during the execution of this SOW. The Consultant will be responsible for reviewing provided data.

In addition, the Consultant will accompany ILARNG training and environmental personnel on a field review of the STA. The Consultant will be able to talk to ILARNG personnel and to visit the STA at any time during the performance period.

Deliverable: One (1) electronic copy (pdf) of letter report summarizing meeting, data findings, and reference list summarizing available data and understanding

Performance Period: 0.5 month after kick-off meeting/site visit

2.2 Task 2: Intergovernmental and Interagency Coordination and Environmental Planning (IICEP) Process

The Consultant will initiate coordination with the of the INRMP revision with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) by preparing a letter to be submitted on ILARNG letterhead. The letter will inform the agencies of the INRMP update and request their input as a natural resources management agency. The letter will be signed and mailed by the ILARNG.

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Data on local species of special concern, threatened and endangered species, soils, water resources, and other data, either in written or electronic formats, pertinent to natural resource management is anticipated to be gathered through this effort. Copies of correspondence, including replies from the agencies, will be provided to the ILARNG POC.

The Consultant shall assist the ILARNG by providing draft letters to these entities for ILARNG to send on ILARNG letterhead informing them about the INRMP Update process and seeking their participation.

To supplement the government-furnished data, the Consultant will conduct a review of available local and regional literature to obtain additional information on natural and cultural resources at or proximal to the proposed ranges. Such literature may include technical publications, reference books, prior proximate studies, theses, or other data related to natural resources in Randolph County, Illinois.

Deliverable: Copies of correspondence and replies (1 copy) Performance Period: 2.0 months

2.3 Task 3: Preparation of Internal Draft INRMP (idINRMP)

The Consultant will review the 2013 STA INRMP and will revise and update it using new resource data and management information provided by the ILARNG and cooperators. The Consultant will use the 2013 STA INRMP as a foundation and reformat it in accordance with the most current ARNG Template as applicable and approved by the ILARNG. The Consultant will update text, figures, tables, maps and graphics as necessary to reflect new data and the management desires of the ILARNG and cooperators. If there are missing parts/sections when converting to the new INRMP Template, the Consultant will produce these parts/sections in close coordination with the ILARNG. The Consultant will also develop updated Prescriptions/Goals and Objectives in close consultation with the ILARNG. Deviations from the ARNG INRMP Template may be made if necessary and if approved by the ILARNG. The ILARNG reserves the right to revise and/or write all or portions of text for inclusion in the INRMP. The goal is to use available information to produce a streamlined, operational, and useable INRMP that supports and complements the military mission. The INRMP will integrate conservation, management, and restoration of all aspects of renewable natural resources on STA lands used in support of the National Guard mission, in consonance with Army Regulation 200-1, and other pertinent national, state and local policies, regulations, and laws. The INRMP must have an project implementation table that shows the implementation schedule, funding requirements, and source of funds. The INRMP and the implementation table must be realistic and in accordance with available staffing, funding resources, and requirements to support the military mission and stewardship of the natural resources.

The idINRMP will have line numbers on each page to aid in the review and comment process.

The ILARNG POC will be responsible for circulating this document within the ILARNG structure, as appropriate.

Deliverable: idINRMP (2 copies) hardbound and electronic in MS Word and PDF format Performance Period: 4 months to submit; 1 month for ILARNG review

2.4 Task 4: Preparation of Preliminary Draft INRMP (pdINRMP)

The Consultant will revise the idINRMP based on comments received from the ILARNG and will prepare the pdINRMP. The pdINRMP will have line numbers on each page to aid in the review and comment process. The ILARNG POC will be responsible for circulating this document to the NGB and within the ILARNG structure for staff review, as appropriate.

Deliverable: pdINRMP (4 copies) hardbound and electronic in MS Word and PDF format Performance Period: 1.0 month to submit; 1.5 months for ILARNG/NGB review

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2.5 Task 5: In-Progress Review Meeting

The Consultant will participate in a teleconference with ILARNG representatives to discuss and resolve ILARNG and NGB comments on the pdINRMP.

Deliverable: Letter summarizing meeting minutes (1 copy) Performance Period: 0.5 month

2.6 Task 6: Preparation of Draft INRMP (dINRMP)

The Consultant will synthesize comments received on the pdINRMP and will prepare the dINRMP.

The dINRMP will have line numbers on each page to aid in the review and comment process.

The ILARNG will provide an opportunity for the USFWS and IDNR to review and comment on the dINRMP. Public review and comment are not required as part of this SOW.

Deliverable: dINRMP (4 copies) hardbound and electronic in MS Word and PDF format Performance Period: 1.0 month to submit after Task 5; 1.0 months for interagency review period.

2.7 Task 7: Preparation of Draft Final INRMP (dfINRMP)

The Consultant will synthesize comments received on the dINRMP and will prepare the dfINRMP.

The ILARNG will submit a copy of the dfINRMP to the USFWS and IDNR regional offices and request concurrence on the dfINRMP.

Deliverable: dfINRMP (4 copies) hardbound and electronic in MS Word and PDF format Performance Period: 1.0 month to submit; 1.0 month to obtain agency concurrence.

2.8 Task 8: Preparation of Final INRMP (fINRMP)

The Consultant will synthesize comments received on the dfINRMP and will prepare the fINRMP.

The ILARNG will be responsible for obtaining NGB signatures on the INRMP.

Deliverable: fINRMP (4 copies) hardbound and electronic in MS Word and PDF format Performance Period: 1.0 month to submit; 1.0 month to obtain agency concurrence.

3.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The ILARNG anticipates completion of this SOW will require a maximum of 13.0 months. Table 1 provides a listing of key project milestones based on deliverables itemized in Section 2.0 of this SOW. This includes required preparation and revision time and review/comment periods.

The performance period may be reduced or extended as necessary with the approval of the ILARNG POC. An extension may be needed if internal and interagency reviews beyond the control of the Consultant run longer than anticipated.

4.0 LIST OF ASSUMPTIONS

In addition to the assumptions and conditions specified in Sections 2.0, the Consultant may make the following critical assumptions as part of this SOW:

The Consultant may assume for the purposes of costing this SOW that:

○ All necessary natural resource baseline studies have been, or will be, completed prior to initiation of the INRMP update;

○ The management practices identified in the STA 2013 INRMP will continue in the updated INRMP. The bulk of the work to update the INRMP will be in reorganizing existing information and developing new GIS graphics; and

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○ The ILARNG will provide required information, and revised policies, procedures and regulations for the Contractor to update the INRMP. The Consultant will not create policies and/or determine management strategies but will work closely with the ILARNG to update the text of the current 2013 INRMP and reformat the INRMP into the required ARNG Template.

The ILARNG will provide hard and digital (e.g., ArcPRO GIS format) copies of existing documents, data, figures, and maps related to the STA. Project graphics will be generated by the Consultant using ESRI ArcPROGIS for ease of use, modification, and input into the ILARNG electronic database. The Consultant will NOT provide a GIS data deliverable under this SOW.

The ILARNG will identify and designate specific points-of-contact (POCs) for the Consultant to facilitate data gathering and communication. The government POC, identified in Section 5.0, will be responsible for coordinating and forwarding document submittals, publications, notices, and other related information to NGB. The government POC will be responsible for consolidating comments on draft deliverables from involved ILARNG and NGB personnel (e.g., training staff, facilities staff, environmental staff) for the Consultant, and for forwarding these consolidated comments to the Consultant.

The ILARNG will serve as the liaison with STA personnel and NGB, as appropriate, for coordinating, scheduling, and staffing project meetings. The ILARNG will be responsible for internal circulation of the submitted materials.

Access to the property will be available at times arranged between the Consultant and the ILARNG, including STA personnel.

The Consultant will NOT undertake or complete any new, detailed, on-site biological, ecological, noise, air quality, cultural resources, land use, land cover, water quality, water resources, or other environmental issue area, site-specific field surveys or modeling analysis as part of this SOW. The cost estimate provided by the Consultant may assume that all data necessary to complete this SOW is available from ILARNG personnel or other sources identified within the SOW. Should the need for such additional site-specific survey work be identified during the course of the Consultant’s work, the Consultant will immediately notify the ILARNG POC via e-mail correspondence and telephone and a determination of how to proceed will be made by ILARNG.

The schedule, outlined in detail in Table 1, will be followed. Deviations from the outlined schedule that extend the performance time must be approved by the ILARNG.

The project proponent and lead agency will be the ILARNG, under direction from the NGB, and no cooperating or other lead federal agencies will be involved in this process.

The Consultant will not conduct a new NEPA EA analysis as part of this project. The NEPA analysis for the STA INRMP is still valid and will adequately cover the actions in the updated INRMP. The ILARNG will complete an Environmental Checklist and REC for the STA INRMP update.

If at any time during the INRMP update, it is determined that additional NEPA documentation will be required, the POC will be notified immediately, and a contract modification may be necessary.

Public review and comment is not required for this SOW because it is considered a minor update.

No public meetings will be required as part of this SOW.

If substantial changes to NGB INRMP policy occur prior to completion of this SOW, a contract modification may be necessary.

5.0 ILARNG POINT OF CONTACT

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The primary POC for this project is MAJ Amanda Emerson at (217) 761-3784 and email address Amanda.c.emerson.mil@army.mill. All material submissions are to be sent to MAJ Amanda Emerson at the following address:

Illinois Department of Military Affairs ATTN: MAJ Amanda Emerson

NGIL-CFM-EV

1301 North MacArthur Blvd.

Springfield, IL 62702

6.0 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

All submittals, meeting minutes, correspondence, and reports are to be held in the strictest confidence. The release of information (written, electronic, or verbal) pertaining to any aspect of the project is not to be released to the public without written permission from the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR). Monthly progress reports are required.

– END OF SCOPE OF WORK –

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TABLE 1: SCOPE OF WORK TIMELINE AND PROCESS SUMMARY

TASK DESCRIPTION DELIVERABLE # COPIES

TIME (approximate months) for

TASK

from Contract

0 Contracting and Pre- Meeting Preparations N/A N/A 0.5 0.5

1 Kick-off Meeting / Site Visit Meeting Summary 1 0.5 1.0

Government Data Collection and Coordination

Copies of Correspondence 1 2.0 3.0

3 Preparation of idINRMP idINRMP 2 1.0 4.0 idINRMP reviewed by ILARNG over a 1.0 month period. Review and comments complete at Month 5.0.

4 Preparation of pdINRMP pdINRMP 4 1.0 6.0 pdINRMP reviewed by ILARNG and NGB concurrently over a 1.5 month period. Review and comments complete at Month 7.5.

5 IPR Meeting Meeting Summary 1 0.5 8.0

6 Preparation of dINRMP dINRMP 4 1.0 9.0 dINRMP reviewed by agencies (USFWS and IDNR) over a 1.0 month period. Review and comments complete at Month 10.0.

7 Preparation of dfINRMP dfINRMP 4 1.0 11.0 dfINRMP reviewed and agency concurrence (USFWS and IDNR) requested over a 1.0 month period. Review and comments complete at Month 12.0.

8 Preparation of fINRMP fINRMP 4 1 13.0

NGB and ILARNG review, approve, and sign fINRMP at Month 13.0.

SOW terminates and INRMP is implemented