A04_CWS_-_Biological_Control_of_Non-Native_Species_-_SOW.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Winnemucca Ranch Road Biological Control of Non-Native Species

Bureau of Land Management Carson City District Office Carson City, Nevada

Table of Contents:

1.0 Background

2.0 Objectives

3.0 Scope of Work

4.0 Tasks

5.0 Additional Requirements

6.0 Delivery

7.0 Government-Furnished Property

8.0 Option Year(s)

9.0 Maps

1.0 BACKGROUND:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Sierra Front Field Office (SFFO) has a requirement for biological control utilizing goats to reduce non-native plant species and fuels within the Carson Wandering Skipper Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), which is located in Washoe County, Nevada.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of this project is to improve habitat conditions by using goats to reduce non-native species and existing fuels within an area of approximately 50 acres.

3.0 SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, supplies and services to accomplish all work as described under the Section 4.0. This shall include mobilization to and from work site.

Place of Performance The services under this contract will be performed within the Carson Wandering Skipper ACEC, which is located at 39.846276 N, -119.717504 W (see attached maps).

Period of performance The base year period of performance is from September TBD, 2023, to October 31, 2023. The start date will depend on existing resource concerns and will be closely coordinated with the Contractor in advance.

Adjustments in performance period of up to two weeks may be made to account for seasonal variation in weather and associated plant life cycles if jointly agreed upon by the contractor and the COR.

Project Area The project area consists of one contiguous area encompassing a total of 50 acres, with the outside perimeter being fenced (see maps below). In order to achieve project objectives, this area will be subdivided into smaller units to further target localized areas of non-natives species and areas of excessive fuel loading. Subdivided units will be achieved with temporary fencing, such as electric fence.

Work Area Access The project area is generally accessible by a standard 2WD motor vehicle using primarily paved roads. The last 1.5 miles before the project area is a maintained gravel road. Use of motorized vehicles is not permitted inside the project area.

Directions From Sparks, Nevada, take NV-445 (Pyramid Way) North towards Pyramid Lake. Proceed to the intersection of NV-445 and Winnemucca Ranch Road. Turn west on Winnemucca Ranch Road for approximately six miles. The Project area is located on the east side, adjacent to Winnemucca Ranch Road.

4.0 TASKS

Task 1 - Goats The Contractor shall provide a minimum herd of 100 mature female and wethered (castrated) male goats. Provided goats must be accustomed to consuming non-native species, including perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium), hoary cress (Lepidium draba), and scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), and musk thistle (Carduus nutans).

While goats are on site, the Contractor shall have personnel present at all times and shall not leave the herd unattended. The use of herding dogs is permitted and is at the discretion of the Contractor. If herding dogs are used, they must be vaccinated for rabies. The BLM shall not be held liable for the loss of animals due to predation or other means. General welfare of livestock used under this contract is the responsibility of the Contractor.

Task 2 - Fencing To ensure adequate reductions of non-native species and fuels the use of temporary fencing will be required and shall be provided by the Contractor. Fencing must be suitable to keep the goats corralled within the prescribed area(s). The Contractor shall be responsible for the construction and removal of temporary fencing as required. Treatment areas and temporary fencing location will be determined by the BLM in conjunction with the Contractor. Removal of vegetation for the installation of temporary fencing is permissible with concurrence from the BLM. Within the fence line, the removal of vegetation shall not exceed three feet in width and shall retain a minimum average of no less than four inches of stubble. Because motorized vehicles are not permitted inside the project area, hand-held power tools (e.g., gas-powered brush-cutters) may be needed to mechanically remove vegetation.

Task 3 - Housing There are no facilities (i.e., water, power, restroom, etc.) available at the project site. The Contractor must be prepared for primitive camping and shall provide their own lodging (i.e., camping trailer) and restroom facilities for the duration of on-site operations. The digging of “cat” holes or leaving waste on the ground surface is strictly prohibited. BLM land adjacent to the project area (on the south end of the project area) can be utilized as a base of operations, with the specific location approved by the COR. The contractor is responsible for ensuring and maintaining sanitary conditions within their base of operations. This includes the removal of all food, refuse, garbage and other materials brought on site or generated in association with this contract, and shall insure orderly operations on a daily basis.

Task 4 - Water While water is present on site, depending on the unit or area targeted, this water may be unavailable as a result of temporary fencing. The Contractor shall be responsible for suppling water for livestock. This includes acquiring and providing water, troughs, and any other materials or equipment required for the purpose of watering livestock. If troughs are placed within treatment units, placement will be coordinated with the BLM to prevent disturbance of sensitive areas.

Work Standards and Browse Prescription Goats will be used to reduce the density of non-native plants species and to reduce fuels within the project area. The objective is to reduce vegetation to an average height of four inches within the prescribed areas. The determination of when to move goats will be made by the BLM in coordination with the Contractor based on site conditions and progress towards the desired condition, which may be before the four-inch objective is achieved.

5.0 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Pre-Work Meeting A pre-work meeting will be scheduled between the Contractor, the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COR) and/or BLM Resources Management Personnel. This meeting can occur in person at the project site or virtually, as mutually agreed upon, and shall occur prior to starting operations. At the pre-work meeting, a written work plan that details their work force, number of goats, equipment, and proposed schedule to provide for completion of the work within the performance period. The work plan shall be approved by the COR prior to work implementation.

Special Considerations This treatment area is adjacent to a high use road and recreation area. The contractor must ensure that all goats remain off the roadways and within the project area. Protection measures (i.e., fencing) should be discussed during the pre-work conference and outlined in the bid proposal.

The project area encompasses a wetland ecosystem where target species may be growing in standing water. The Contractor must provide goats that are accustomed to consuming vegetation in standing water.

Disease To prevent the spread of communicable diseases, all goats must have documentation showing they have been blood tests for Caseous lymphadenitis (CL), and Johne’s disease, and have negative results.

Contractor must dispose of dead goats or other animals that are part of Contractor’s operations as permitted by state and by local law. Dead goats must be removed from the project area and cannot be buried on site.

Fire restrictions In the event fire restrictions are in effect, the Contractor shall abide by all local, state, and federal restrictions. At a minimum the Contract shall have one (1) five (5) pound fire extinguisher within their base of operations and shall take precautions to prevent starting a fire.

Communications The Contractor must be available to the COR and/or BLM Resources Management Personnel via telephone between the hours of 0730 and 1700 PST, Monday through Friday, and must respond to a request for discussion or resolution of technical problems within 24 hours of notification.

Exotic Plants Before any trailers and/or equipment are brought to the project area, the Contractor shall pressure or steam wash the equipment in order to remove non-native seeds. Cleaning shall consist of the removal all dirt, grease, debris, and materials that may harbor noxious weeds and their seeds. Cleaning shall occur away from the project site. Examples of equipment are tractors, ATV’s, trucks, trailers, and fencing materials that have traveled off-road or been used at other project sites.

To limit the potential introduction of additional non-native species, the Contractor shall feed the goats certified weed-free hay and/or pellets for 3 days before arriving at the project site. Animal fur and hooves must be free of weed seed prior to being transported to the project site.

Statutory Compliance The Contractor agrees to conduct operations under this contract and other related business activities in compliance with federal, state, and local statutes, standards, orders, permits, or other regulations. Failure to comply will be grounds for default in accordance with the Default clause. The contract shall govern if such laws conflict with or preclude performance of contractual requirements.

Archeological Resources If, in connection with operations under this contract, the Contractor discovers, encounters, or becomes aware of any possible historical or archeological data, objects, or sites of cultural value on the project area, such as historical ruins, graves, or grave markers, fossils, or artifacts, the Contractor shall immediately suspend all operations in the vicinity of the cultural value and shall notify the Contracting Office in writing, giving the location and nature of the findings. No object of cultural resource value may be removed.

Endangered Species Act If, in connection with operations under this contract, it is determined that plant or animal species protected under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, are being negatively affected, operations may be suspended, modified or terminated. Notifications associated with the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, will be made by the Contracting Office in writing.

6.0 DELIVERY

By the end of the period of performance (October 31, 2023), the Contractor shall have provided 100 goats for a duration of up to 21 days at the project site. The Contractor shall have provided all supplies and equipment necessary for the purpose of reducing non-native species and fuels (i.e., fencing, water, troughs, etc.), and shall have implemented biological control activities as directed by the BLM.

7.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY

Government furnished resources shall be limited to only maps and geospatial data which delineate the project area, if requested.

8.0 Options Year(s)

In addition to the base year, four options years are also available. Option years are subject to the same requirements as the base year and are as follows:

Option year 1 - TBD, 2023, to July 31, 2024 Option year 2 - August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026 Option year 3 - August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027 Option year 4 - August 1, 2027, to July 31, 2028

*Grazing Period shall only be 21 days anticipated to start in September of each year.

9.0 MAPS

Page of image3.jpeg image1.png image2.png