A04.SOW_PKF-MCK_Native Seed Supply_1.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Supply of Native Seed Mixes Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge

1. GENERAL:

1.1. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex (PO Box 111, Lakeview, OR 97630; hereafter Complex) has a requirement for supply of customized native seed mixes.

1.2. Two of the native seed mixes will be used as part of integrated rehabilitation treatments in an area burned in a wildfire in 2019 on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (eastern Lake County, Oregon), to bolster native plant species competition against invasive annual grasses. The PKF Morgan Mix is intended to be aerially broadcast applied to a documented high-use greater sage-grouse breeding area. The PKF Rock Creek Mix will be applied using ORUV-mounted broadcast seeders to a braided-channel floodplain in an area important for mule deer, migratory birds, and numerous other wildlife species.

1.3. The other two native seed mixes will be used as part of integrated rehabilitation treatments in a 2019 prescribed burn area on Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (eastern Lake County, Oregon), to increase native plant diversity and bolster native plant species competition against invasive annual grasses and forbs, primarily to benefit mule deer and migratory birds. Both seed mixes will be applied using ORUV-mounted broadcast seeders. The McKee Upland Mix will be applied to an area of shrub-steppe habitats unintentionally burned in an escape (“slop over”) during the prescribed burn. The McKee Meadow Transitional Mix will be applied to a structurally and hydrologically complex, dry meadow/pasture area bordering between the intentionally burned wet meadow/pasture and the unintentionally burned upland shrub-steppe area.

2. SCOPE:

2.1. The contractor shall supply a sufficient quantity of the following native seed mixture to apply at 18.5 lbs. PLS per acre to 1,410 acres:

PKF Morgan Mix: rocky/basaltic, variably silt loam/silty clay/fine sandy loam soils; 4,980-5,480’ elevation; precipitation 12-16 inches per year; ESE aspect;

1,410 acres @ 18.5 # PLS/acre

2.2. The contractor shall supply a sufficient quantity of the following native seed mixture to apply at 22.5 lbs. PLS per acre to 50 acres:

PKF Rock Creek Mix: braided-channel floodplain with considerable historic disturbance (grazing, farming, repeated fires), now marginally disconnected from the creek; fine sandy loam, slightly alkaline soils; 5,000’ elevation; precipitation 10-14 inches per year; generally flat but with a slightly N aspect; 50 acres @ 22.5 # PLS/acre

2.3. The contractor shall supply a sufficient quantity of the following native seed mixture to apply at 30.5 lbs. PLS per acre to 54 acres:

McKee Upland Mix: very stony (cobbly) loam soils; 4,540-4,540’ elevation; precipitation 10-14 inches per year; W aspect; 54 acres @ 30.5 # PLS/acre

2.4. The contractor shall supply a sufficient quantity of the following native seed mixture to apply at 38.5 lbs. PLS per acre to 10 acres:

McKee Meadow Transitional Mix: stony (cobbly) loam soils; 4,480-4,540’ elevation; precipitation 10-14 inches per year; W aspect;

10 acres @ 38.5 # PLS/acre

2.5. Seed mixes shall be supplied in individually labeled 50 pound sacks (standard poly, cotton or heavy paper).

2.6. Seed material shall meet the following requirements:

2.6.1. Native seed will be required to be “source identified.” The source for native plant material should be as close to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge as possible, to include (but not necessarily limit to) geographic location, elevation and climactic conditions. Seeds must have their origin in this area, unless otherwise cleared through the Technical Coordinator(s). Per US Fish & Wildlife Service policy, unless sufficient justification can be provided to counter the policy at the Service’s discretion, all plant materials must be adapted to the conditions of the site and it is necessary to acquire seed that has the best chance of germinating to achieve rehabilitation goals.

2.6.2. Seed shall be certified “weed free”, indicating there are no noxious weeds in the seed.

2.6.3. Seed supply should be based on pure live seed (PLS) per pound, based upon purity and germination testing.

2.6.4. All grass species provided through this contract will be from the harvest year of 2020. All seed will be required to have been tested within 120 days of sale for purity, germination and noxious weed content. Seed certification tag without testing documentation will not be accepted. Inert matter will not exceed 10%.

3. DELIVERABLES

3.1. Prior to delivery, contractor shall provide to the Technical POCs electronic copies of the results of purity, viability (germination and/or TZ test(s)), weed test (including all-states noxious weed analysis), and crop and weed test(s). Information is required for all seed lots.

4. DELIVERY:

4.1. Seed is to be delivered to Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge headquarters, 38782 Hart Mountain Road, Plush, OR 97637. Map coordinates are 42° 32.947’ N and 119° 39.292’ W (WGS84). Refuge headquarters is located at a junction on a long, rough, steep and winding gravel road. Access can be hard on equipment and vehicles. Contractor(s) are strongly encouraged to take adequate preparation and precautions when traveling to the Refuge headquarters.

4.2. Seed delivery is anticipated to be about November 1, 2020, but no later than November 30, 2020. Actual delivery date(s) for seed will be dependent upon local weather conditions and availability of Complex personnel; contractor shall coordinate actual delivery dates with the Technical Coordinator.

4.3. Seed shall be delivered between Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (PST), except Federal Holidays.

4.4. Loading docks are not available. Contractor shall contact the Technical POCs at least 48 hours prior to delivery to ensure Government staff and equipment will be available to receive and inspect delivery.

5. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE:

5.1. Seed will be inspected and inventoried upon delivery by the Technical POC or their designee. Government acceptance is contingent upon:

5.1.1. Results of purity, viability (germination and/or TZ test(s)), weed test (including all-states noxious weed analysis), and crop and weed test(s);

5.1.2. All delivered bags being individually labeled (see paragraph 2.5 of Statement of Work);

5.1.3. Condition of delivered seed, and

5.1.4. Completeness of order.

6. TECHNICAL COORDINATOR:

6.1. Kevin Goldie, Wildlife (Habitat) Biologist, Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWR Complex, PO Box 111, Lakeview, OR 97630; 541-947-3315 x224; kevin_goldie@fws.gov