(A04)_Statement_of_Work_0040617264.pdf

Statement of Work

Equipment Purchase for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife New Mexico Partners for Fish and Wildlife in partnership with the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge for native grassland restoration projects across New Mexico.

1. DESCRIPTION OF NEED:

With the 2022 catastrophic fires in northeastern New Mexico (and future scenarios of more severe fires) and the subsequent soil and water erosion that is caused by such an event, as well as an increase focus on native pollinator/Monarch and LPC habitat, the New Mexico Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) has initiated an effort to assist landowners in need of post-fire restoration of their grassland habitat. To meet this urgent demand to restore native grassland, and to improve the damaged habitats, the PFW will purchase a no-till seeder, or seed drill, for various native grass species which can be mounted to a skid steer that is operated and maintained by the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge (LVNWR). The use of a skid steer-mounted seed drill will allow the PFW, along with its partnering agencies (LVNWR, Tierra y Montes SWCD, NM Acequia Associations, etc.), to better assist landowners directly with grassland revegetation projects, especially in areas that are hard to access by tractor.

2. Objectives of SOW:

a. We estimate that this piece of equipment will be used on approximately 500 acres a year.

b. The equipment will also assist in revegetation efforts on disturbed areas due to heavy machinery work for various other restoration activities.

c. This attachment will facilitate more seat time and internal training purposes for our skid steer equipment managed and maintained by the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge.

d. LVNWR has agreed to house, store and manage this attachment on their refuge and be the main operator of said equipment on joint restoration projects around Northern New Mexico.

e. This equipment sharing facilitates an existing working relationship between PFW and LVNWR to assist with heavy machinery needs on various restoration projects in New Mexico.

3. CHOICE OF PIECE OF EQUIPMENT:

In consultation with restoration practitioners, LVNWR staff, and partnering agencies, we have chosen the following native seed-drill that is best suited for our needs and available equipment:

Equipment: Truax "TRILLION" Broadcaster 9', TR-96 SS, Standard Grass (Small Seed Box, Fluffy Box, Cool Season Box). Made by: Truax Company Inc.4300 Quebec Ave No., New Hope, MN 55428, (Telephone)763-537-6639.

4. TECHNICAL COORDINATOR: The Officer’s responsible for this piece of equipment are the following:

For NM PFW:

Maceo Martinet Ecologist /Educator Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program 2105 Osuna RD. NE Albuquerque, NM 87113 Office: (505) 761-4752 Maceo_Martinet@fws.gov

For LVNWR:

Bill Schlinger Maintenance/ Refuges Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge Route 1, Las Vegas, NM 87701 Office: 505-652-6850 bill_schlinger@fws.gov mailto:Maceo_Martinet@fws.gov mailto:bill_schlinger@fws.gov