A04.SOW.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK - FWS/PCA Coordinating Botanist July 15, 2020

BACKGROUND

A Division of Scientific Authority Botanist who represents the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

(FWS)-International Affairs Program on this Committee was recently elected as the Chair of the Federal Committee for the Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA), which fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration, including federal, state, local, and tribal agencies and elected officials; non-governmental organizations and interest groups; industry; traditional and new media outlets;

public land users; among others.

The PCA Federal Committee Chair coordinates internal to the FWS and across more than a dozen federal agencies and with nonfederal collaborators on topics of mutual interest pertaining to conservation and restoration of native plants and their habitat. In this capacity, the PCA Federal Chair is leading the multi-agency renewal the Federal Committee Memorandum of

Understanding; and identifies, prioritizes, undertakes and reports on activities of mutual interest to the Federal Committee; holding regular meetings of the Federal Committee and works with Chair of the Nonfederal Committee to hold bi-monthly general meetings featuring different speakers on a variety of national native plant issues; supporting interagency coordination and collaboration to implement the 2015 National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration

(National Seed Strategy); and informing or maintaining several listservs, collaborator webpages, and social media platforms to foster communication and information sharing.

1.0 Purpose

This requirement is to provide a wide range of cross-programmatic and interagency outreach and coordination activities in the areas of native plant conservation and restoration; research, develop and support such communications and coordination over various platforms; support strategic planning, compile information and coordinate reporting on specific activities; and perform administrative duties to include logistical support during meetings, notetaking, and filing.

2.0 Objective

The objective of this requirement is to provide an FWS/PCA Coordinating Botanist to support the duties of the Federal Chair of the Plant Conservation Alliance (PCA) with the ability to perform the tasks outlined below.

3.0 Tasks

3.1 Create, write and distribute a wide variety of materials to communicate information about cross-programmatic native plant conservation and restoration activities undertaken by FWS as well as interagency PCA activities to various audiences. Materials may include reports; newsletters; talking points; briefing papers; speeches; web and social media content; and other information materials.

3.2 Provide communication research and planning for cross-programmatic native plant conservation and restoration priorities of the FWS. This will inform strategic planning to enhance FWS botanical coordination/communications, including actions to implement the National Seed Strategy to address widespread shortages of the native plants needed for restoration on lands impacted by natural disasters, invasive species and habitat loss.

3.3 Communicate botanical activities within and across FWS programs to contribute to an improved understanding of FWS native plant activities and priorities. This may include attendance or presentations at appropriate conferences or meetings and creating FWS-PCA outreach displays, informational materials, etc.

3.4 Create presentations, infographics and related promotional materials, and provide lectures in support of conservation and management needs for native plant species, which may include sustainable use and conservation of U.S.

native economic plants; National Seed Strategy implementation; and other multi-stakeholder botanical or PCA undertakings.

3.5 Assist communications within and across agencies on current and historical botanical activities undertaken by the PCA, including meetings planning, listserv postings, and other duties to support the Chair of the PCA Federal

Committee. This will include attending monthly PCA meetings, assisting with agenda development, developing meeting materials, and notetaking.

3.6 Update, maintain, and support FWS and interagency communications via sharesites, collaborator webpages, and , and social media platforms related to native plant activities using basic and advanced computer applications.

3.7 Data entry and quality control to report progress on native plant objectives within FWS and across PCA agencies and collaborators regarding the National Seed Strategy.

4.0 Deliverables: Specific projects will be prioritized to achieve the following goals:

• Communicate PCA federal native plant information pages

• Compile FWS programmatic plant priorities

• Clarify FWS National Seed Strategy nexus

• Support FWS and interagency implementation and progress report on the National Seed Strategy

• Coordinate quarterly or annual report on FWS botanical activities

• Facilitate FWS botanical outreach and communications strategic planning meeting

• Administrative duties, including meeting notes

• Weekly coordination meetings

• Quarterly reports with a log of contractor time and activities

• Variety of botanical outreach/communication materials, including technical reports and training material.

5.0 Location of Work

Work to be performed at the USFWS, Skyline HQ Office, located at 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22041. Negotiable onsite presence during COVID.

6.0 Operating Hours and Government Closures

The standard operating hours are 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Contractor personnel are expected to work an eight-hour shift during these hours. The specific tour of duty shall be negotiated between the COR and the contractor personnel upon contract award.

The USFWS observes all authorized Federal holidays and an allowance shall be made in the contract for observance of these holidays by the contractor as required by the prevailing

Service Contract Act Wage Determination.

When the Government grants administrative leave to Government employees, or is closed as a result of inclement weather, potential hazards, or other special circumstances, contractor personnel working at that specific location shall also be dismissed.

7.0 Security

The Government will conduct background checks (including fingerprint checks) and verify information submitted by the potential employees. Investigations will include, but are not limited to, criminal record, credit worthiness, and prior work performance history.

8.0 Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance is for a base and up to two (2) option years, with potential for extension. Performance begin date shall be determined by the Contracting

Officer and will be reflected in the award document.

9.0 Training

The Government shall provide all training necessary and appropriate to enable contractor personnel to complete the required tasks under this contract. This training shall include on-the-job training and may include formal, classroom training if determined necessary between the contractor and the COR.

10.0 Government Furnished Equipment

Contractor shall be provided work space to include all necessary computer equipment and office supplies required to complete the tasks outlined above.

11.0 Acceptance

July 15, 2020

Acceptance of work to be performed shall be determined by approval of monthly invoices outlining specific hours worked and tasks accomplished. Unacceptable work and/or work products shall be reworked at no additional charge to the Government.

12.0 Contract Type/Payment Terms

The Government intends to award a labor hour contract for the required services. The contractor is authorized to bill monthly via the Internet Payment Platform (IPP) and shall only bill for specific hours worked.

13.0 Special Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, biology or equivalent with appropriate experience;

knowledge of plants. Government anticipates working with a university or closely associated organization with talent pool/student body with skill set to provide these services. Strong communication skills. Data and web management, teaching and project management experience, good organizational skills. Experience using multiple online networking tools, including shared websites, listservs, and audio/video meeting platforms. Ability to communicate technical issues related to botany and conservation with a wide variety of audiences. Occasional outdoor and weekend work may be involved, valid driver’s license required.

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Coordinating Botanist\SOW_FWS-PCA Coordinating BOTN rev.docx