A04_SOW_Final_1.docx

Statement of Work Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (BANWR) Native Species Planting Project on USFWS Lands Sasabe, AZ December 2023

BACKGROUND

This Statement of Work summarizes the justification and purchase of native species vegetation planting on PLO 1015 refuge lands administered by the Buenos Aires NWR. Vegetation planting will support ongoing habitat restoration work on lands impacted by wildfire. Planting will support projects outlined in the Burned Area Restoration Plan, which was drafted and approved in September 2020 for support in rehabilitating the July 2020 Avondale Fire burn scar.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT NEEDS

Staff at the Buenos Aires NWR would like to replant native species following the 2020 Avondale Fire and the subsequent grubbing of PLO 1015 in an effort to restore the area for wildlife habitat and recreation. Non-native salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) has been removed in approximately 60 acres and replanting efforts will focus on these areas. Approximately 3,000 native species will be planted including grasses, shrubs, and small trees that are environmentally adapted to the lower Gila River valley. The plants will be provided by the Buenos Aires NWR (species list is attached). The purpose of this replanting is to provide greater habitat suitability for native riparian species such as cottonwoods and willow trees, thus increasing habitat quality for species of concern such as Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, Ridgeway’s Rail, and the South-West Willow Flycatcher. See attached maps of the proposed work area.

Place of Performance The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at PLO 1015 which is outside the city of Avondale, AZ, south of Phoenix, AZ. The job site is directly north-west of the junction of S El Mirage Rd and Indian Springs Rd, west of the Phoenix Raceway. The nearest facilities and accommodations are in Avondale, AZ, approximately 5 miles north of the job site. The public lands lie directly along the Gila River and are accessible via S El Mirage Road onto primitive gravel roads with no gate.

Scope of Work The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform native species planting of approximately 3,000 plants, on Public Land Ordinance 1015, south of Phoenix, AZ which is under management of staff at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) as defined in this Statement of Work. Two (2) Stihl augurs will be furnished for use by the contractor to achieve correct planting depths. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract and will have on the ground guidance project and planning guidance directed by refuge staff.

Objectives:

· Provide supervision and oversight of personnel while planting, by hand, 3,000 plants in predetermined areas within the site. Planting areas will be marked with flagging and an Avenza map will be provided upon selection at the kick-off meeting with planting areas identified.

· Conduct tasks such as planting, auguring planting holes with Stihl BT-131 earth augurs to a depth of approximately 1-2 ft., digging out planting holes, transporting plants within the site, spraying non-toxic anti herbivory spray. Plants used will be in either 5 gallon, 1 gallon, or “tree pot” (3” x 12”) containers and will be planted according to staff instructions depending on container size.

· Maintain proper safety and efficiency measures as directed by refuge personnel and crew leader.

Period of Performance The period of performance for native species planting will be from March 1, 2024, to August 1, 2024.

Hours of Operation The Contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of sunrise to sunset Sunday through Saturday except Federal holidays at the contractor’s option. The contractor must, at all times, maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this contract when the government facility is not closed. When hiring personnel, the contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential. The facility is closed on recognized Federal holidays. The contractor is not required to perform work on these holidays:

New Year’s Day, January 1st or the Friday preceding or Monday following Martin Luther King’s Birthday, 3rd Monday in January President’s Day, 3rd Monday in February Memorial Day, Last Monday in May Juneteenth, June 19th or the Friday preceding or Monday following Independence Day, July 4th or the Friday preceding or Monday following Labor Day, 1st Monday in September Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October Veteran’s Day, November 11th or the Friday preceding or Monday following Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November Christmas Day, December 25th or the Friday preceding or Monday following Project Contact Questions regarding the statement of work for this purchase shall be directed to:

Reese Crebbin 541-944-0543 Reese_crebbin@fws.gov Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) is Nathan Barrett who can be reached via phone at 520-993-0229 or via email at Nathan_barrett@fws.gov. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions:

· Assure that the contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract

· Perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance

· Maintain written and oral communications with the contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract

· Issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications

· Monitor contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and contractor of any deficiencies

· Coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of contractor personnel

SPECIFIC TASK

The contractor shall remain in close contact with the FWS COR and Staff. Contactor is responsible to ensure all pertinent information is clearly understood. Contractor will:

· relay all the job task information the workforce prior to the first day of planting.

· follow all protocol for the planting process as described by refuge staff.

· meet daily with Refuge Staff to discuss the progress and plans for the following day.

· assist in changes and modification to the plan and workday as needed.

· perform all the objectives as listed in “Scope of Work”.

· adhere to the daily schedule.

· follow all National Wildlife Refuge Rules and Regulations, including fire safety while on site.

Project Maps

Figure 1. Public Land Order (PLO) 1015, lands owned by the USFWS; relevant project site circled in red.

Figure 2. Grubbed areas of PLO 1015 where planting activities will take place.

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