FY17_SFRPA_Botany_Surveys_Specs.pdf

SERVICE RFQ AG-569R-S-17-0035

Ottawa National Forest Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B. - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

Ottawa National Forest, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron and Ontonagon Counties; Bergland, Iron

River, Kenton and Watersmeet Districts

Bid Item 1 requires one field survey in all stands, scheduled between May 15 and September 15, 2017.

Bid Item 2 requires one field survey in all stands, scheduled between May 15 and September 15, 2017 or between May 15 and September 15, 2018.

Bid Item 3 requires one field survey in all stands, scheduled between May 15 and September 15, 2017.

Bid Item 4 requires one field survey in all stands, scheduled between May 15 and September 15, 2017 or between May 15 and September 15, 2018.

Bid Item 5 requires two field survey in all stands. The first survey must be scheduled between May 15 and June 30, 2017 and the second survey must be scheduled between July 1 and September 15, 2017, with first and second surveys in each stand occurring at least 3 weeks apart.

It is preferred to have all surveys completed by September 15, 2017.

Surveys will follow Ottawa National Forest Botany Program Protocol, i.e. controlled intuitive or meander basis. Survey areas are identified on the attached maps for bidding purposes (see Attachments). Additional maps will be provided to the selected contractor(s) at the pre-work meeting, for use in the project. These additional maps will include showing the survey stands over aerial photography and over topographic maps.

Item Project Quantity Unit Total

Amount

1 Botanical Surveys, Spruce-Fir stands FY18-19 Set

(51 stands, 1 visit) acres $ _________

2 Botanical Surveys, Spruce-Fir stands Outyear Set

(89 stands, 1 visit) acres $ _________

Botanical Surveys, Red Pine, FY19 set (South Zone Buddle Lake, Frey, Lower Holmes, McColman, Merriman Lake; North Zone 1-4) and North Zone FY20 set (Haywire, Kunze Lake)

(66 stands, 1 visit) acres $ _________

Botanical Surveys, Red Pine, FY20 set (South Zone Hoist Lake, Twist Lake)

(19 stands, 1 visit) acres $ _________

Botanical Surveys, Aspen, FY20 (South Zone Steusser; North Zone Caddis, Kunze, Haywire)

(58 stands, 2 visits) acres $ _________

Total acres 6722

Stands shown on the attached maps show the approximate size, spatial arrangement, and location to be included in the surveys. Please provide a price for the bid items. To avoid being awarded more work than can be accomplished within the contract period, quotes may be qualified to limit the maximum number of Items that will be accepted. To avoid being awarded less work than desired, quotes may also be qualified to limit the minimum number of Items that will be accepted. Quotes may also indicate they are on an "all or none" basis. Contractor must sign on the next page and provide all information.

*Contractors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. The website is:

http://sam.gov.

In reference to FAR 52.212-1(k), the time prescribed that contractors shall be registered in SAM is the closing date of this solicitation. If the Offeror does not become registered in the SAM database by closing date of this solicitation, the Contracting Officer will proceed to award to the next otherwise successful registered Offeror. Offerors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements via the SAM database accessed through https://www.acquisition.gov.

*Successful Contractors need to be enrolled in the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) to receive payments, which is where all invoices are now processed at www.ipp.gov.

Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys

SECTION C--DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1 Scope of Contract

The purpose of the contract is to survey specified areas of the Ottawa National Forest for the presence of Regional Forester’s Sensitive plants, State of Michigan listed plants, other plants of potential viability concern, and priority non-native invasive plants, and record findings. Surveys of the selected areas will be conducted once during the survey period for Items 1-4, and twice for Item 5; survey period varies by Bid Item as stated above. The Contractor shall progressively accomplish the work at a rate that will result in completion of the contract within the time specified. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, transportation, supplies, and incidentals (except those designated as Government-furnished property listed in Section G). Before any contract work is started, the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will arrange for a pre-work conference to discuss contract provisions and specifications.

C.2 Description and Location

All surveys will occur on the Ottawa National Forest in Gogebic, Houghton, Iron and Ontonagon Counties, Michigan. Stands selected for survey are shown on the attached maps. The legal descriptions of the survey stands are as follows:

Bid Item # Location

1 T46N R37W Sections 25, 27, 34, 35, 36

T46N R36W Section 30

T45N R37W Section 1

T44N R36W Sections 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32

T44N R37W Section 25

2 T45N R41W Sections 5, 6

T45N R39W Sections 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 27

T45N R38W Sections 5, 6, 15, 16, 21, 31, 32

T44N R38W Sections 5, 6, 30, 31, 32

T44N R39W Sections 1, 4, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23

T45N R36 Sections 6, 19, 20, 25, 26, 36

T44N R36W Sections 11, 12, 14, 23, 25

T44N R35W Sections 6, 7, 32

T43N R35W Section 20

T43N R36W Section 27

Bidders are urged to inspect the Bid Items and work area prior to submission of a bid. Only by physical inspection can the prospective bidder be assured of the existing conditions.

C.3 Performance Requirements

The Contractor and the Contractor's employees (if applicable) must be able to identify all the species of vascular plants on the attached list of rare plants and the attached list of invasive plants of the Ottawa National Forest. (The Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species list for the Ottawa National Forest includes several bryophytes and lichens; these are not required survey species under this contract.) These specifications will pertain to all items contained within this contract.

The Contractor will complete the following tasks:

Pre-field review The Contractor shall review topographic maps, aerial photographs, stand type and other information prior to field work to select the most likely rare plant habitat areas within the survey stands. The Contractor will provide a survey plan to the COR at the pre-work meeting or within one week after that meeting. The plan should include approximate dates for surveys, survey locations, surveyor names, approximate acreage to be covered on a daily basis, and other relevant information.

The Contractor shall select access routes and check with COR if there are access concerns. Many of the stands in Bid Items 1-5 are close to roads, some shorter hikes may be needed. Note that cross-country OHV travel is not permitted on the Ottawa National Forest. The Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for the Ottawa shows roads that are open for use by vehicle class; contractors are expected to follow this

Bid Item # Location

3 T48N R36W Sections 10, 14, 15, 34, 35, 36

T48N R35W Sections 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30, 31

T47N R36W Sections 2, 3

T47N R35W Sections 30, 31

T46N R35W Sections 5, 6, 8

T46N R36W Sections 32, 33, 34

T45N R36W Sections 3, 4

T44N R35W Sections 19, 30, 31

T44N R36 W Sections 25, 36

4 T44N R39W Sections 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

5 T47N R40W Sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 36

T47N R41W Sections 24, 25

T48N R35W Section 29

T47N R35W Sections 30, 31

Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys map unless negotiated otherwise with the District Rangers via Contracting Officer (CO) for administrative use of selected roads.

Field surveys The Contractor shall determine habitat relationships and phenology for each of the taxa on the attached lists and survey most intensively where and when these species are likely to be found. The Contractor shall make a good faith effort to distribute searches throughout all potential community types or habitats where rare plant taxa may be found, and to do so at the times of the year appropriate to identify the plants. Surveys of the selected areas will be conducted between May 15 and September 15 in each year, as described under the Bid Items.

The Contractor will conduct surveys on a controlled intuitive or meander basis. The Contractor will prepare brief written descriptions of all habitats encountered within a bid item using the ONF Plant Survey General (aka Habitat) Form (see attachments). For each habitat encountered in the bid item, the Contractor will prepare a complete vascular plant species list using the ONF Plant Survey Species Form (see attachments). For example, one description and species list would be prepared for spruce-fir and each of any other habitats such as perhaps riparian corridors or openings found in Bid Item 1. For Bid Item 3, there would be a General Form and Species List for red pine as well as for any other habitats encountered in the survey stands in the Bid Item, and so on for each Bid Item.

The Contractor will record survey routes using a handheld GPS unit under datum NAD83. Routes attributed with dates should be submitted electronically in a format approved by the COR as compatible with Forest computer systems (acceptable formats will be discussed at the pre-work meeting).

If a rare plant on the 2017 Ottawa Rare Plant List is located, the Contractor will complete the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) special plant form. Associated species should be listed by scientific name to species epithet, not to genus unless distinguishing features (flowers/fruits) are lacking. Non-vasculars may be listed as “moss”, “lichen” if no further identification can be made. Directions should be adequate that the site could be relocated, including description of landmarks that could be used in relocation (see below for monumenting directions). Habitat description should be detailed, conveying a mental image of the features rather than “rich hardwoods” or similar brief descriptions. Completion of the form includes providing a copy of a topographic map with population location shown. Final copies of the forms must be typed into the MNFI fillable pdf form, and should be submitted electronically to the COR. Blank forms are available from the MNFI website at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/contact/Special_Plant_Form.pdf, and a master copy will be provided to the contractor. Rare plant discoveries should be reported to the COR within 5 business days, along with a GPS reading for the site and number of individuals. The MNFI form does not have to be completed within the 5 days, although it is often easiest to complete a draft field form when the population is found. Rare plant locations must be recorded using a GPS unit in NAD83 decimal degrees format (e.g.

handheld, readily available GPS unit; survey grade is not required). No rare plants have been previously documented in the survey stands except the lichen Usnea longissima on the edge of one stand in Bid Item 3. Rare plant locations near survey stands will be provided to the selected contractor(s).

If the rare species population can support it (based on Contractor's professional judgment), the Contractor will collect and prepare one good quality voucher specimen (unmounted) with label for submission to the Forest (it will be forwarded to the University of Michigan Herbarium). Labels should

Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys be typed and follow standard format; a sample label is shown below. If the contractor holds a Michigan collection permit, include the number on the label and provide a copy of the permit with the voucher.

PLANTS OF THE OTTAWA NATIONAL

FOREST

(MICHIGAN)

Penthorum sedoides L.

Gogebic Co.: T48N R44W Section 23

Common on edge of backwater in Presque Isle River at Highway 28 crossing, southeast side.

With Scirpus cyperinus, Polygonum sp., Acer rubrum seedlings. Fruits reddish.

A.B. Smith 557 12 July 1999

The Contractor will mark rare plant locations in the field with yellow/black striped flagging provided to the Contractor, in a visible but discreet manner. For small populations, where, in the Contractor’s professional judgment, it would be difficult to relocate the population using handheld GPS readings (accurate to about 50 feet under tree canopy) and description of landmarks, complete an additional monumenting process as follows. Locate three live and healthy-appearing witness trees, at least 5 inches in diameter at breast height, close to the rare plant population but in varying directions from the population. Record the species and DBH of these witness trees. Then measure and record the distance from the population to each of the three trees, and the bearing from the population to the tree. For example, the site record might read “8 inch red maple at 34 feet and 70 degrees, 12 inch white spruce at 25 feet and 180 degrees, 5 inch balsam at 15 feet and 290 degrees”. At the base of the three witness trees, nail a metal tag in the direction facing the population. Tags and nails will be supplied; Contractor must supply compass and measuring tape.

The Contractor will provide 3-5 good quality, higher resolution digital photographs of each rare plant taxon located, with at least two showing the plant in detail and at least one showing the plant in its habitat. Provide photos in .jpg format at resolution no greater than 2400x3000 pixels (less is fine for habitat photos). Typically this equates to a camera setting of ~7 mp; 4-5 megapixel setting will suffice for habitat shots. Provide additional photos if the identity of the plant is enigmatic (e.g. Botrychiums).

If a population of an Ottawa non-native invasive plant (NNIP) species of concern is found, information about the plant, location, infestation extent and habitat characteristics will be recorded on the Ottawa National Forest Weed Reporting form (attachment). See attached list for reporting requirements by invader species including which species require locations to be recorded using a GPS unit. Notify the COR of any new high priority or new invader species locations within 7 days of observation. No NNIP have been previously mapped in the survey stands except a patch of orange hawkweed in a stand in Bid

Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys

Item 2 and a cluster of minor invasives in a stand in Bid Item 5. Invasive plant locations near survey stands, such as along adjacent roads, will be provided to the selected contractor(s).

In addition, the Contractor shall:

a) Report survey progress to the COR on a bi-weekly basis by e-mail or telephone.

b) Report all the information requested on the supplied data forms (which will be provided as Excel or

MS Word files or fillable pdfs at the pre-work meeting; in the solicitation they are attached as pdfs only). Field versions shall be copied onto a final version, in ink, or typed (electronic submission is preferred), according to the Botany Program Protocol. These completed forms comprise the final reports. Forms include (see attachments):

I. General aka Habitat Form, describing the habitats surveyed for each bid item.

II. Species lists for each habitat listed on the general forms (that is, a set of lists for each bid item) III. Stand Tracker Form: this must be submitted in electronic form as an Excel spreadsheet. This is the most important data form other than MNFI forms; data expectations for this form will be discussed at the pre-work meeting. The spreadsheet has one tab for each bid item, and all stands have a line for data entry. The form is also used to record special features including:

a. If white, bur, or scarlet/northern pin oak trees (Quercus alba, Q. macrocarpa, Q.

coccinea/ellipsoidalis complex) are observed, record the species, number, and coordinates in the comment field.

b. If milkweed (Asclepias syriaca, A. incarnata, or A. exaltata) patches are located, record the species, approximate size of patch, and coordinates in the comment field.

c. If evidence suggests the presence of earthworms, record this by stand. Evidence could include well-depleted or missing duff in areas where it would be expected (for example, no duff is expected in a small drainway); earthworm castings; or worms observed (in heavily wormed areas, kicking the leaves away or digging down slightly often exposes a worm). Also record the type of evidence observed. All earthworms on the Ottawa NF are non-native and invasive; the Forest seeks information on their distribution. (The COR can show photos of worm-infested ground or show samples in the field.) This does not apply to Bid Items 3 and 4, red pine stands.

IV. MNFI Special Plant Form (rare plants only).

V. Ottawa Weed form (invasive plants only).

c) Contact the COR to report any unusual sightings such as large stick nests, large garbage dump sites, deer blinds constructed of man-made materials, artifacts or heritage sites (that are not already marked with flagging or in obvious ways), or other special features.

Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work

The Contractor shall be required to a) commence work under this contract on or about May 15, 2017, b) prosecute the work diligently, and c) complete all field work by September 15, 2017 except for Bid Items 2 and 4 where surveys may be conducted in 2018. Data sheets/forms will be provided to the COR by September 30, 2017. (If the 2018 survey option for Bid Items 2 or 4 is selected, this work would

Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys commence on or about May 15, 2018 and be completed by September 15, 2018 with deliverables due Sept. 30, 2018.)

Inspection

Inspection will be done as work progresses to insure compliance with contract terms, conditions, and specifications. This will include the COR or Inspector joining the Contractor periodically during field surveys and reviewing field data sheets. Any work not being properly performed will be brought to the immediate attention of the Contractor by the Inspector or COR. The Contractor shall take prompt corrective action for any deficiencies or deviations that may occur under this contract.

After the Contractor informs the Government that work has been completed, the Government will perform a prompt final inspection and advise the Contractor of acceptance or rejection of the work performed.

Acceptance

Acceptance of work for all items requires that all contract requirements are met including field reporting forms are completely filled out, species identifications fall within known or likely distribution ranges (or vouchers are collected and verified), and any voucher specimens are correctly and completely prepared and labeled. Submitted GPS routes should show passage through all stands. If original inspection results are unacceptable, the Contractor must continue work until results are acceptable or request a re-examination. This request must be made in writing within 5 days of notice of unacceptable work.

Contract Time

Notification of award will be issued on or about May 8, 2017. Contract period will be May 15, 2017 through October 15, 2017 (this allows time for discussion and any necessary revision of forms after they are submitted by Sept. 30); or Oct. 15, 2018 if the delayed surveys for Bid Item 3 are selected.

Designation of Contracting Officer’s Representative

The Contracting Officer will designate a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at the time of award.

The COR is responsible for administering the performance of work under this contract. In no event, however, will any understanding, agreement, modification, change order, or other matter deviating from the terms of this contract be effective or binding upon the Government unless formalized by proper contractual documents executed by the Contracting Officer prior to completion of the contract.

On all matters that pertain to the contract terms the contractor must communicate with the Contracting Officer. Whenever, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the scope of the contract, the Contractor should so advise the COR. If the COR persists and there still exists a disagreement as to proper contractual coverage, the contracting officer should be notified immediately, Spruce-Fir, Red Pine and Aspen Botany Surveys preferably in writing if time permits. Proceeding with work without proper contractual coverage could result in nonpayment or necessitate submittal of a contract claim.

Government-Furnished Property

The Government will provide the following items of Government property to the Contractor for use in the performance of this contract. This property shall be used and maintained by the Contractor in accordance with the provisions of the “Government-Furnished Property” clause.

1) Ottawa National Forest map.

2) Ottawa National Forest current Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) covering the project areas.

3) Compartment/stand maps for the bid items.

4) Topographic maps, 1 copy of each quad covering the bid items:

a. Bid Item 1: Lake Mitigwaki, Winslow Lake, and Beechwood

b. Bid Item 2: Thayer, Watersmeet, Land O’Lakes, Fuller, Imp Lake, Hagerman Lake, Gibbs City, Beechwood, Perch Lake, Winslow Lake and Iron River

c. Bid Item 3: Echo Lake, Sidnaw, Marten Lake, Winslow Lake, Gibbs City

d. Bid Item 4: Land O’Lakes, Imp Lake

e. Bid Item 5: Choate, Paulding, Sidnaw, Marten Lake.

Return maps at end of contract if still useable.

5) Aerial photography for the survey stands.

6) Shapefiles of survey stand outlines to upload to GPS units (we have tested this process with various Garmin units, but do not know if it will work with other brands of mapping GPS units).

Alternatively, centroids for survey stands can be provided for uploading to GPS units.

7) Flagging to mark rare plant locations (return excess at end of contract).

8) Tags and nails for monumenting small populations (return excess at end of contract).

9) Master paper copies of the data sheets to be used, which may be photocopied for use in the field, as well as the electronic data forms for final reporting (on cd).

Data collected and reports prepared under this contract are the property of the USDA Forest Service.

Data publication is prohibited without prior consent of the USDA Forest Service, Ottawa National Forest and the USDA Forest Service reserves the right to edit any potential publications. The USDA Forest Service will be acknowledged in any publications using such data.