A04_0040585403_SOW_Revised_2022Sept7.pdf

National Park Service Native Seed Increase FY 2022

Bryce Canyon National Park PMIS # 240173, 307677

Statement of Work

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 Introduction: The contractor shall perform work related to seed increase in a high elevation environment (> 6,000’) similar to Bryce Canyon National Park (BRCA) where the original plant accessions originate. BRCA genetic sourced seed is needed for utilization in the recovery of disturbed areas as a result of visitor impacts and facility developments occurring on park land and for the restoration of important wildlife habitat. The contractor will be requested to perform the following tasks: establishment and harvesting of seed from NPS genetic stocks; cleaning, testing, inspection, storing, and delivery of propagated seed.

1.2 Description of Work

The scope of services in this contract includes the establishment of seed increase fields using park collected graminoid seed to produce two species of bunch grasses native to BRCA for a total of three production years. The tables below show the species targeted for increase. Due to the nature of wildland collections and variations in annual and seasonal environmental conditions, the final species selection may vary. Alternate species will be negotiated with the contractor and agreed upon by both the park and contractor.

BRCA is located on the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau at mid to high elevation. The Contractor must produce the seed included in this contract in a similar environment of high elevation (>6,000’) and must demonstrate that its staff is familiar with the unique requirements of plant accessions originating from this physiographic region. NPS will evaluate and approve proposed growing locations based on the aforementioned criteria.

This will ensure plant materials adapted to the shorter growing season associated with the high elevation environment from which the collected germplasm originates is produced. The contractor will demonstrate propagation experience and maximize seed production, for the species listed below for the growing seasons 2023 through 2025.

Plant production for BRCA for 2023, 2024, 2025 growing seasons:

Scientific name Field size (acre) Production Years

Achnatherum hymenoides 0.5 2023 (establishment year), 2024, 2025

Bromus anamalus 0.5 2023 (establishment year), 2024, 2025

Total 1.0

1.3 Description of Work

The contractor will manage these native seed production fields by providing fertilization, irrigation, and weed control for the species at optimal time periods, also harvest the seed at maximum maturation time for maximum seed production. The contractor will ensure the prevention of cross-pollination with local varietals of the same or similar species and will provide documentation of prevention methods. Field Inspection report conducted by Colorado Seed Growers Association, or equivalent, will be supplied as written documentation.

1.3.1 Task 1. Native Seed Increase

For seed production this task will include all labor and materials for seed cleaning, testing and inventorying; field preparation, planting and establishment; field maintenance, harvesting of seed and curation; and final seed cleaning and testing and shipment of seed. Seed storage shall be in a controlled environment for a maximum of 2 years after the final production year. However, conditions due to weather, insect damage, seed viability, and other acts beyond the control of the contractor may result in the contractor not meeting production goals. In this event, contractor and NPS will meet to adjust the existing contract and negotiate reimbursement for field maintenance costs. Adjustments to the contract will be based on NPS needs and the contractor capabilities to meet these needs given the unexpected contingencies. Task 1 is for the establishment of seed production fields through 2025. The initial production/establishment year for each species may depend on certain biological and environmental factors. Actual initiation of the period of performance may affect timing of planting and production.

Planting times may be adjusted by the grower in consultation and with approval from the COR; however total production years (including the establishment year) must equal to three.

1.3.2 Task 2. Annual Summary Report: The contractor will provide a brief annual summary report (2 page maximum with two photos) summarizing the production and seed test results of all species for this project and send a copy to the COR by March 15th. Reports likely to start in calendar year 2024 after field activities are initiated in 2025.

1.3.3 Task 3. Seed Shipment: Seed will be shipped to the park upon request and as agreed upon by the COR and contractor. Some spring seeding may be done by the parks thus requested delivery of some seed may be in March.

Most seeding is dormant season seeding thus common requested delivery will be in late summer or early fall. It is understood that delivery will be of the preceding years production.

BRCA: Shipment 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027

Task Table -Summary

1- assumes all seed is delivered to contractor with enough time to plant in 2023 if some seed is delivered late in the season then this task will extend into 2026. 2 – Seed is generally harvested in the fall. Cleaned and tested in the winter and the product is available to ship in the early spring. 3 -hand collected seed from the NPS should be tested by the contractor prior to planting.

2.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE, DETAILS

2.1 Confidentiality: The information and genetic seed stock developed and increased under this contract is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

2.2 Performance Period: From date of award to up to five years from date of award.

2.3 Project Identification: The work of this contract shall consist of the services described below for the referenced projects. In this document, the project shall be referred to as Seed Increase for Bryce Canyon National Park.

2.4 Contacts:

The following individuals are to be contacted with any questions, concerns, and issues regarding this work. No other individuals are authorized to make decisions regarding this work during any portion of the work.

• Contracting Officer (CO): Marcia Fox, marcia_fox@nps.gov

• Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Ken Stella, ken_stella@nps.gov, 303- 969-2119

• Bryce Canyon Technical Contact: Eric Vasquez, eric_vasquez@nps.gov, 453-834-

3.0 QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality Standard shall be in accordance with, commercial practices and as described in this statement of work. All work within this Scope of Work

Task 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

1. BRCA -Native Seed Increase 4 Species, 3 production Yrs 1a. Field prep, planting and establishment X 1b. Field maintenance (Footnote 1) X X X 1c. Harvest and curation (Footnote 2) X X 1d. Seed cleaning and testing (Footnote 3) X X X

2. BRCA -Annual Report X X X X

3. BRCA -Seed shipment X X X X shall adhere to IV. Quality Standards outlined below. If discrepancies exist, the more stringent standards shall apply. All seed, plants and other propagules resulting from this agreement are from BRCA germplasm and therefore property of these respective National Parks. As projects are completed and materials are no longer needed, all existing seed, plants or other propagules will be provided to BRCA or destroyed as mutually agreed upon.

Inspections: All seed increase fields shall be inspected annually by a representative of the states’ Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Inspections, land requirements, and isolation distances shall be based upon Foundation Certification Standards (AOSCA ©2012, Effective July 2011).

Limitations of Generations: The grower agrees to grow G0 seed stock for increase and provide BRCA G1 seed stock. No further generations are allowable unless prior approved by the National Park Service COR and the park technical representative.

Volunteer plants: Every reasonable effort must be made to control volunteer plants (arising from seed or vegetative remnants). The grower shall identify all non-target species growing in the fields and provide this written information to the COR annually along with the certification inspection report from the AOSCA representative. Provided in annual progress report. Fields may be inspected by COR, without notice. Failure to control volunteer plants may be cause of rejection by CO.

Harvest: Identity and purity of seed must be maintained at all times during harvest. Equipment and facilities used for transporting, handling, and storing of seed may be inspected by COR.

Seed Storage Seed shall not be allowed to become wet after harvest. Seed shall be stored in a building, shed or warehouse that allows air circulation and is protected from rain, moisture, temperature extremes and rodents or other conditions that would reduce the viability of the seed.

Seed Standards: The following minimum standards will apply to all seed increased.

i. Other Crop Seeds maximum 0.2%

ii. Weed Seeds maximum 0.1%

iii. Noxious weed seed 0%

iv. No “off type” brome seed

Substandard Seed: Seed that fails to meet the requirements may not be accepted by NPS. Contractor shall provide, in writing, the reasons for substandard seed. The CO will determine if reasons are beyond the control of the grower. If the reasons are determined to be beyond the control of the grower, a mutually agreed upon strategy to complete this contract will be sought, which may result in a modification of this contract.

Seed Shipment: Seed shall be shipped in a manner that will prevent damage to the seed and arrive expeditiously at the park. The Contractor shall provide notification to the COR 1 week before the seed is shipped, providing the Contractor has been notified two weeks prior to the date of need, and shall provide the tracking number of the package by email as soon as is practical.

Seed Delivery: All seed delivered shall conform to all laws and regulations pertaining to the shipment of seed required by the Federal Seed Act and the Seed laws pertaining to the representative state, Utah (BRCA). Submit original seed test analysis and copy of the seed tags by lot number to the park Technical Contact and COR. Seed is to remain dry and unmixed upon delivery.

Acceptance and Reporting: Acceptance will be determined by meeting all application, inspection and seed quality standards required by this statement of work.

Submittals: Both AOSCA and state certifying agencies require application for certification, regular field inspections, and seed analysis and testing. The Contractor shall provide emailed copies of the following pertinent to BRCA to the COR in a reasonable and timely manner.

1. All field inspection reports.

2. Original seed analysis reports by lot number.

3. Copies of all seed tags and lot number information.

• Percent and species of other crop seed

• Percent and species of weed seed

• Origin

• 0% noxious weed seed

• No “off type” brome seed

4. Annual summary report with two photos

5. Park collected seed analysis reports.

4.0 SCHEDULE

Native seed shall be produced, cleaned, tested and shipped within the time frame of this contract, noted in above, unless other delivery dates are agreed upon by both NPS and the contractor. Delayed production, cleaning, and shipment due to environmental factors, timing of planting, and naturally-caused occurrences will be agreed upon by the grower and COR.

5.0 PROGRESS PLAN

At the prework conference, the Contractor shall provide to the COR a written "work progress plan" that details its proposed work force and schedule to provide for orderly completion of the work within the contract performance time. This work schedule must be acceptable to the Government. At a minimum, the schedule must reflect a work progress rate equal to the available amount of contract performance time.