Full_Revision_S-17-0007_RFP_NEPA_EastEagle_MudSprings.pdf

OMB Approved No. 9000-

SOLICITATION OFFER AND AWARD 1.THIS CONTRACT IS A RATED ORDER RATING PAGE OF

UNDER DPAS (15 CFR 350) 1 53 PAGES

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. SOLICITATION NUMBER

REVISED

AG-8173-S-17-0007

4. TYPE OF SOLICITATION 5. DATE ISSUED

6. REQUISITION/PURCHASE

NO.832419

AG

SEALED BID (IFB) 12/23/16

REVISED 3/9/17 NEGOTIATED (RFP)

7. ISSUED BY CODE 8. ADDRESS OFFER TO (If other than Item 7)

USDA FOREST SERVICE – APACHE-SITGREAVES NATIONAL

FORESTS 30 S. CHIRICAHUA DRIVE PO BOX 640, SPRINGERVILLE,

AZ 85938

Same as Box 7

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SOLICITATION

9. Sealed offers in original and 1 copies for furnishing the supplies or serviced in Schedule will be received at the place specified in Item 8, or if handcarried, in the depository located in SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE - AQM until 4:00 PM local time MARCH 30, 2017

(Hour) (Date)

CAUTION - LATE Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals: See Section L, Provision No. 52.214-7 or 52.215-10. All Offers are subject to all terms and conditions contained in this solicitation.

10. FOR INFORMATION A. NAME B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

CALL: WARREN ABBOTT 928-333-6344

11. TABLE OF CONTENTS

SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S) SEC. DESCRIPTION PAGE(S)

PART I - THE SCHEDULE PART II - CONTRACT CLAUSES

A SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

I CONTRACT CLAUSES

B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS PART III - LIST OF DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS AND OTHER ATTACH.

C DESCRIPTION/SPECS./WORK/STATEMENT J LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

D PACKAGING AND MARKING PART IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS

E INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE K REPRESENTATIVES, CERTIFICATIONS AND

F DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE OTHER STATEMENTS OF OFFERORS

G CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA L INSTRS., CONDS., AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

H SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS M EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

OFFER (Must be fully completed by offeror)

NOTE: Item 12 does not apply if the solicitation includes the provisions at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

12. In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this offer is accepted within 60 calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the offeror) from the date for receipt of offers specified above, to furnish any or all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated point(s), within the time specified in the schedule.

13. DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT 10 CALENDAR DAYS 20 CALENDAR DAYS 30 CALENDAR DAYS CALENDAR DAYS (See Section I, Clause No. 52-232-8) % % % %

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT NO. DATE AMENDMENT NO. DATE

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amend-ments to the SOLICITATION for offerors and related documents numbered and dated.

15A.

NAME AND

ADDRESS

OF OFFEROR

CODE FACILITY 16. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN

OFFER (Type or Print)

15B. TELEPHONE NO. (Include area code)

15C. CHECK IF REMITTANCE ADDRESS

17. SIGNATURE

18. OFFER DATE

IS DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE - ENTER

SUCH ADDRESS IN SCHEDULE.

AWARD (To be completed by Government)

19. ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS NUMBERED 20. AMOUNT 21. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION

22. AUTHORITY FOR USING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPLETION

23. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN ITEM

X 10 U.S.C. 2304

(c) ) 41 U.S.C. 142(c)

( copies unless otherwise specified) 25

24. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 7)

CODE 25. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

U.S. Treasury www.ipp.gov

26. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print) 27. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 28. AWARD DATE

WARREN ABBOTT

(Signature of Contracting Officer) IMPORTANT - Award will be made on this Form, or on Standard Form 26, or by other authorized official written notice.

NSN 7540_01_152_8064 33-133 STANDARD FORM 33 (REV.4-85)

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.214(c)

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 2 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007 APACHE-SITGREAVES NFs

REVISED EAST EAGLE / MUD SPRINGS NEPA

PART I—THE SCHEDULE

SECTION B--SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

SCHEDULE OF ITEMS

BASE LINE ITEMS

Item No.

Description / Statement of Work Unit Qty Total Amount

B1.1

Task 1 and Subtasks; (Payable near end of Project), in accordance with all terms, conditions, and requirements contained herein and the statement of work attached as electronic document within the timeline required

Task 1 1 Lot

B2.1

Specialist Reports – Tasks 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6 Special

Reports 1 Lot

B3.1

Task 7 NEPA Requirements (and subtasks, all deliverables satisfied)

Final Payment

1 Lot

GRAND TOTAL OF ALL LINE ITEMS -- $_____________

CHECKLIST OF MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TO RESPOND TO THIS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

AGAINST GSA IDIQ CONTRACT FOR NEPA SERVICES

_____ Request For Proposals (RFP) Return Package (Be sure to include SF33 (cover page), this page, Schedule of Items; Past Performance and Technical Capability as requested)

_____ Register or maintain yearly registration in System For Award Management (www.sam.gov )

_____ Provide your DUNS Number ________________________

_____ Provide your business email address ____________________

VENDOR COMPANY NAME:__________________________________________________________

AUTHORIZED TO SIGN (NAME):_______________________________________________________

SIGNATURE:_______________________________________________ DATE:__________________ http://www.sam.gov/

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 3 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Statement of Work for NEPA Contract

East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuel Restoration Project

Clifton Ranger District

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Southwestern Region

March 2017

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CONTENTS

Statement of Work for NEPA Contract

East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuel Restoration Project

Clifton Ranger District

C2.0 PROJECT SCOPE

C2.1 LOCATION

C2.1.1 LEGAL LOCATION DESCRIPTION

C2.2 FOREST PLAN

C2.3 AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1

C2.4 LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

C2.5 EXPECTED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

C3.0 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES

C3.1 TASKS AND SUBTASKS

TASK 7 NEPA REQUIREMENTS

C4.0 CONTRACTOR DELIVERABLES

C5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS & PERSONNEL

C5.1 MATERIALS

C5.2 PERSONNEL FURNISHED BY THE AGENCY

C5.2.1 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

C6.0 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

SECTION D--PACKAGING AND MARKING

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: INDUSTRIAL FIRE PLAN

SECTION L--INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS OR RESPONDENTS

Responses to this RFP need to address the following Evaluation Criteria from Section M:

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C1.0 INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this solicitation is to secure professional services in silviculture, fire/fuels, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife biology, GIS, range, soils, hydrology, and NEPA/writing/editing to prepare the appropriate level of NEPA documentation for the East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuels Restoration Project on the Clifton Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and fulfill requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The level of NEPA analysis expected is an environmental assessment/finding of no significant impact (EA/FONSI) with a decision notice (DN). Services of the selected contractor will be required to provide include, but are not limited to data collection; modeling and analyses; development of public notification documents; project record compilation, maintenance, and indexed; coordination of meetings; documentation of all aspects of the NEPA process; and completion of services needed to fulfill any associated or relevant laws, regulations, policies, and agency, regional, and forest goals, directions, and requirements (Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Land Management Plan, as amended and signed August 2015).

C2.0 PROJECT SCOPE

The total acreage for the project area is 91,016 acres, and the entire project boundary is considered for prescribed fire. Mechanical and hand thinning in specific areas within the project boundary will be identified prior to the contractor beginning work. The project area is composed mostly of ponderosa pine and grasslands interspersed with mixed conifer in the northern portion of the project area. Areas along the Mogollon Rim burned at varying intensities within the Wallow Fire (2011).

C2.1 LOCATION

The East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuels Restoration Project area is located in Greenlee County on the Clifton

Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The total acreage of the project is 91,016 of which 89,272 are federal land and 1,744 are private acres. The project is bounded to the north by the Clifton and Alpine district boundary, to the east by Hwy 191, to the south by FR 515 (Pine Flat Rd), and to the west by the Clifton Ranger

District boarder which follows along the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

C2.1.1 LEGAL LOCATION DESCRIPTION

Township (T) 3 North (N) Range (R) 28 East (E) Section (Sec) 30-36; T3N R29E Sec 30-34; T2N R29E Sec 3-11, 14-18, 22-19, and 28-31; T2N R28E Sec All; T1N R28E Sec All; T1N R29E Sec 5-7, 18-19, 28-34; T1S R29E Sec 2-8, 18-19;

and T1S R28E Sec 1-24, 29.

C2.2 FOREST PLAN

The proposed project must to be consistent with the August 2015 Land Management Plan for the Apache-

Sitgreaves National Forests, as amended. Most of the planning area contains lands that are within the Natural

Landscape Management Area, while a smaller portion in in the General Forest Management Area. Plan decisions include goals (desired conditions), objectives, standards, guidelines, suitability, special areas, and monitoring. Plan decisions apply to project or activities where site conditions provide an inherent capability to meet plan direction.

As this project is planned, the contractor must assess Forest Plan direction associated with hazardous fuels reduction activities, which can be found throughout the Plan. Plan decisions for forest-wide direction and management are displayed in the plan in shaded boxes to distinguish them from other sections. Plan decisions for suitability and monitoring are found in their respective tables in Chapters 4 and 5 of the Plan.

C2.3 AGENCY REQUIREMENT AND RESPONSIBILITIES (TASKS)

The Agency will develop and provide to the Contractor drafts of the public involvement plan, the purpose and need, and the proposed action to be incorporated into the planning process. The Agency will complete modeling

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 6 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007 and the Fire/Fuels Specialist report then provide this report to Contractor for inclusion in the project record and for use in the NEPA process.

C2.4 LEVEL OF ANALYSIS

The level of analysis expected is that required for an Environmental Assessment; however, this initial evaluation may change to that of an EIS based on analyses completed and significant issues identified, post award.

C2.5 EXPECTED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

The proposed project is expected to garner public interest, and a public involvement plan appropriate for the project proposal shall be completed and approved by the Agency. Environmental analyses for issues raised by the public as well as by the Forest Service shall be presented in the NEPA documentation and supporting reports prepared by the Contractor

C3.0 CONTRACT REQUIREMENT AND CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES (TASKS AND SUBTASKS)

Contractor shall be responsible for completing the following tasks and deliverables and meeting the technical specifications herein by deadlines outlined in the timeline provided in Appendix A (subject to future adjustment).

All work completed by the Contractor shall become government property and shall be provided in electronic form to Agency and in hard copy form if requested. All documentation produced by the Contractor shall be in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, standards for accessibility and shall follow the templates and examples provided by the Agency that apply. The format for some documents may be negotiated with the Agency point-of-contact.

C3.1 TASK 1: COORDINATE CLOSELY WITH THE COR

Contractor shall ensure a high level of coordination on NEPA process activities, the progress being made on tasks and deliverables, and any needs for completion of those tasks and deliverables throughout the length of the contract. Contractor shall provide progress updates to COR bi-weekly. The format and delivery method of the progress update (written, verbal, or other format; email, phone call, or other delivery method) shall be agreed upon between the Contractor and Contracting Officer. Contractor shall also hold interdisciplinary team meetings and other meetings as requested by the Contracting Officer. The format of the meetings (in person, video conference, teleconference, or other) shall be agreed upon by Contractor and Contracting Officer prior to each meeting.

In particular, Contractor shall coordinate closely with Contracting Officer in reviewing public comments;

developing responses to public comments; identifying significant issues; developing alternatives to the proposed action, including the no action alternative; developing specialist reports; writing and editing the environmental assessment and draft decision notice; and developing any material to be distributed to the public.

SUBTASK 1A: DEVELOP & MAINTAIN THE TIMELINE AND WORK PLAN

Contractor shall adhere to an agreed upon timeline for completion of tasks and deliverables (initial timeline provided in Appendix A preferred, but may be adjusted with approval). Contractor shall also track progress according to the timeline and inform Agency point-of-contact of any unexpected delays or barriers to completing deliverables on time. Contractor shall coordinate revised timelines and work plans with Agency point-of-contract when changes are necessary, for approval by Responsible Official.

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SUBTASK 1B: DEVELOP & MAINTAIN MEETING NOTES

Contractor shall document any meetings held, internal or external, in meeting notes of a similar format adhering to

Agency standards and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973. Meeting notes shall be provided within three days of the meeting for which notes were taken. Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact to obtain any notes of internal Agency meetings, which shall be documented by Agency personnel. Meeting notes shall be placed in the project record.

SUBTASK 1C: MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY AMONG DOCUMENTS

Contractor shall ensure that facts, details, and other information used or presented in the various documents generated during this process is consistent among all documents. Specialist reports shall contain information consistent with other reports, the NEPA documents, public information documents, and any other documents developed.

C3.2 TASK 2 SILVICULTURE

SUBTASK 2A: COMPLETE VEGETATION GIS SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELING

Contractor shall use provided Forest Service stand exam data provided in the Forest Service Vegetation (FSVeg) database. Forest Service Vegetation Spatial Analyzer (FSVeg Spatial Analyzer) integrating FSVeg Spatial, Forest

Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and Most Similar Neighbor (MSN) or Nearest Neighbor (NN), and other associated tools shall be utilized to generate desired outputs as outlined by Agency silviculturist for the current condition, no action alternative, proposed action alternative, and any other requested modeling. Desired modeling outputs include but are not limited to modeling by stand and point basis for cover type, basal area (BA), vegetation structural stage

(VSS) class, percentage maximum standard density index (%Max SDI), LCP (Landscape File) file for use with fire and fuel modeling, and desired fuels outputs. Contractor will need to model for at least four cycles, ten years apart, to predict for a period of 40 years. Contractor will coordinate with Agency silviculturist for approval of the modeling outputs and base data generated in modeling and analyses before information is provided to other specialists to use in other resource analyses.

SUBTASK 2B: COMPLETE A SILVICULTURIST REPORT

Contractor shall prepare a silviculturist report following the template provided by Agency point-of-contact and similar in structure and analysis to recent examples identified by Agency silviculturist, provided by Agency point-of-contact.

C3.3 TASK 3 CULTURAL RESOURCES

TASK 3A: COMPLETE A CULTURAL RESOURCES SPECIALIST REPORT

Contractor shall review the Forest Plan, cultural resource inventory report, Forest Service letters to Tribes and

Tribal responses to the report, SHPO consultation letters, and any other reports, references or data pertinent to the cultural resource clearance and use the information to draft a cultural resources specialist report. The INFRA number of the cultural resources inventory report shall be cited in this document. The report shall follow the template provided by Agency point-of-contact and be similar in structure and analysis to examples identified by

Agency fire/fuels specialist, provided by Agency point-of-contact.

The cultural resources specialist report shall include the following information:

Affected Environment (a summary of prehistoric and historic land uses within the affected environment)

Area of Potential Effect (to be defined by the Agency archaeologist assigned to the project)

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Results of Cultural Resource Inventory (a summary of cultural resources located in the area of potential effect during inventory. A summary of the results of tribal consultation and SHPO consultation shall also be included in this section.)

Environmental Consequences (to include the analysis of cultural resources that may or may not be affected by the no action and action alternatives. If applicable, analysis will include direct and indirect effects and cumulative effects. If special site protection measures are approved by SHPO, these measures shall be listed in a table, as shown in the example below, or as Agency archaeologist prefers [these are examples and may not apply to the East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuels Restoration Project])

Table. *Lists of special protection measures within or adjacent to cultural resource site boundaries. These actions require monitoring by a unit archaeologist.

Action Authorized Activity

Hazard tree/snag removal within or adjacent to sites.

If located outside site boundaries, directionally-fell hazard trees/snags away from site.

If located within site boundaries, directionally fell hazard trees/snags away from artifact concentrations or features, cut and leave or hand-buck and carry outside of site boundaries.

All work to be done by hand.

Removal of logs that fall across access routes within site boundaries.

Cut and remove by hand, preferably to the edges of the road prism or outside of cultural resource boundaries.

Road reconstruction or maintenance within sites with the potential for subsurface cultural deposits

Avoid site by lifting blade as enter and exit site; excess material from road work to be deposited outside site boundaries.

Place geotextile material and fill/rock from outside sources on the existing road prism within and adjacent to site boundaries.

Road reconstruction or maintenance within site boundaries where there is no potential for subsurface cultural deposits

Road maintenance will be restricted to the existing road prism.

Road closures/barrier installations adjacent to or within site boundaries.

Avoid ground disturbance. Consult with the unit archaeologist about the most appropriate type of barrier to install.

Conclusions (a summary of the results of tribal and SHPO consultation and a summary of the potential effects, if any, of the proposed action and how the effects will be mitigated)

Compliance with the Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulation, Policies and Plans (A summary of compliance with the laws, regulations, policies, Executive Orders and plans pertinent to Cultural Resources).

References Cited (references used in the specialist report which shall include the reference to the East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuels Restoration Project inventory report and any personal communications and consultation letters with SHPO, tribes and other interested parties, etc.)

Contractor shall use any information in the specialist report that is pertinent to the NEPA analysis and include that information in the NEPA document.

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If Tribes consulted do not wish to share information regarding traditional cultural properties, sacred areas, etc., then that information shall not be included in the specialist report or the NEPA document.

The draft and final specialist reports and NEPA analyses shall be reviewed by the Agency archaeologist assigned to the project. The format and content of the specialist report may be adjusted by COR.

C3.4 TASK 4 TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC WILDLIFE BIOLOGY

TASK 4A: COMPLETE A BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (BA)

Contractor shall provide a biological assessment that analyzes effects to endangered, threatened, and proposed species identified under the Endangered Species Act. Contractor shall follow templates provided by Agency point-of-contact for formatting and examples identified by Agency wildlife biologist for content and structure. The biological assessment should be in a condition that the Agency can submit the document to the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service with minimal editing, and the analysis should ensure consistency with the Forest Plan Biological

Opinion, dated May 13, 2015.

C3.4 TASK 4B: COMPLETE A BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION (BE)

Contractor shall provide a biological evaluation that analyzes effects to Forest Service Region 3 Sensitive Species.

Contractor shall follow templates provided by Agency point-of-contact for formatting and examples identified by

Agency wildlife biologist for content and structure.

C3.4 TASK 4C: COMPLETE A WILDLIFE REPORT

Contractor will complete a wildlife report analyzing effects to all, neo-tropical migratory birds, game species, and other species of concern that may occur in the area and that must be analyzed per Forest Service regulations.

These resources will be considered the affected environment, and the environmental consequences for each will be analyzed for all alternatives considered in detail. Cumulative effects shall also be analyzed. Contractor shall follow templates provided by Agency point-of-contact for formatting and examples identified by Agency wildlife biologist for content and structure.

C3.5 TASK 5 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND SOILS

Contractor shall provide a watershed assessment that analyzes effects to water and riparian resources, soil productivity, and watershed condition. Contractor shall follow templates provided by Agency point-of-contact for formatting and examples identified by Agency hydrologist for content and structure.

C3.5 TASK 5A: COMPLETE A WATERSHED AND RIPARIAN SPECIALIST REPORT

Contractor shall review the following: ASNF 2015 Forest Plan, the “Equivalent Disturbed Area” model described in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Cumulative Watershed Analysis Procedure, Soil Condition Evaluation

Procedures (R3), Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey (TES), and the Proper Functioning Condition Technical Guides. The contractor shall also meet the requirements for Best Management Practices as outlined in FSH 2509.22.

The contractor will complete a watershed report analyzing the significance of effects to water, riparian, and soil resources and resulting downstream values as well as other effects per Forest Service regulations. Cumulative effects shall also be analyzed. Contractor shall follow templates provided by COR for formatting and examples identified for content and structure.

C3.6 TASK 6 RECREATION

C3.6 TASK 6A: COMPLETE SPATIAL AND WRITTEN RECREATION ANALYSIS

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Contractor shall use provided materials to complete a spatial and written analysis of the Recreation Opportunity

Spectrum (ROS), Visual Quality Objectives (VQO), Recreation Niche, and special use and lands permits within the

East Eagle/Mud Springs Hazardous Fuels Restoration Project area. Existing and desired conditions should be displayed in the environmental assessment.

C3.7 TASK 7 NEPA REQUIREMENTS

C3.7 TASK 7A: MAINTAIN THE PROJECT RECORD AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD

Contractor shall maintain both a digital and hard copy version of an up-to-date project record consisting of all documents necessary to the project analysis and decision to be made. Contractor shall make the digital project record accessible or available upon request of Agency. Contractor shall gather and organize any documents generated or used during and for the NEPA process and compile and index those documents in the project record in accordance with instructions and guidance documents provided by Agency. Contractor shall coordinate with

Agency point-of-contact on attaining internal Agency documents to add to the project record. Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact for resolution of any questions regarding project record items.

Documents for inclusion in project record shall be named once following project record instructions from Agency and not be renamed unless absolutely necessary to avoid duplication of documents in the project record or updated copies of the record held by Agency. At the end of the project, Contractor shall provide a final project record in both digital and hard copy form. The hard copy shall be provided to Agency in three-ring binders with indices of all documents in each binder. A digital administrative record shall also be maintained following instructions and guidance provided by Agency.

C3.7 TASK 7B: DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PLAN AND MAILING LISTS

Contractor is responsible for coordinating with Agency point-of-contact to ensure that all potentially interested or affected parties are included on the scoping mailing list, including but not limited to public officials, landowners, permittees, environmental affiliations, local public citizens, and others. Contractor will coordinate with Agency as needed for development of initial mailing list and update of all mailing lists throughout the course of the project.

Updated mailing lists will be approved by Responsible Official before any documents are mailed.

Subtasks 7B.1

The Agency shall, in coordination with the Contractor, develop a public participation plan, to be approved by responsible official.

Contractor shall update the mailing list after each mailing and following receipt of public comments to create a new, comprehensive mailing list of all interested parties who commented or requested to be on the mailing list for future mailings. Each document distributed to the public shall have an updated mailing list that accompanies it.

Contractor shall update the mailing list as needed for changes in names or addresses of public contacts and shall coordinate with the Agency point-of-contact for any updates throughout the process.

Contractor shall ensure each mailing list is included in the project record attached to or immediately following the letters for which the list was used.

C3.7 TASK 7C: Using drafts provided by Agency, Contractor shall coordinate with Agency to refine the purpose and need, proposed action, and range of reasonable alternatives.

C3.7 TASK 7D: Coordinate Development and Reviews of Specialist Reports and Other Analyses Documents (e.g.

BA and BE) and Revise Documents

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Contractor shall coordinate development and reviews of specialist reports and other analyses documents with

Agency point-of-contact and Agency resource personnel (two draft reviews and one final approval).

Subtask 7D.1:

Contractor shall provide any background model runs, data, maps, literature cited, or other materials used to produce the specialist report upon request of Agency.

Contractor shall track changes to specialist reports throughout the revisions process.

C3.7 TASK 7E: DEVELOP AND REVISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Contractor shall develop the environmental assessment, per CEQ regulations and other Agency standards provided and following the template and examples provided by Agency point-of-contact.

Subtask 7E.1:

Contractor, in coordination with the Agency, shall complete a draft of the Environmental Assessment, Chapters 1 and 2, including the purpose and need statement and the description of the proposed action and alternatives (DOPAA: EA Chapters one and two). Contractor will provide to Agency for review (two draft reviews and one final review/approval); and revise DOPAA according to Agency edits/revisions.

Agency approval on DOPAA: EA Chapters one and two will be obtained prior to initiating work on the effects analysis

Contractor shall complete a full EA/FONSI with Chapters three and four and provide to Agency for review (two draft reviews and one final review/approval); revise EA/FONSI according to Agency edits/revisions.

Contractor shall provide any background model runs, data, maps, literature cited, or other materials used to produce the EA/FONSI upon request of Agency.

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency to attain a list of projects relevant to cumulative effects, complete the cumulative effects analysis as part of Chapter 3, and coordinate with Agency for any other needs in developing the EA/FONSI.

Contractor shall track changes to EA/FONSI throughout the revisions process.

C3.7 TASK 7F: PLAN AND CONDUCT PUBLIC SCOPING AND COMMENT PERIOD

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency to plan, schedule, coordinate and conduct public scoping and comment period, including public mailings and public meetings, as needed during the NEPA process. Contractor shall place comments received in record and coordinate with Agency point-of-contact to attain all comments.

Subtasks 7F.1

Contractor shall draft and revise scoping and comment letter following templates provided by Agency in format and examples provided by Agency in content and structure. Contractor shall send the public scoping and comment period notification letter with an information package to interested public parties using the mailing list provided by Agency.

Contractor shall prepare a public scoping package to be sent with the scoping and comment letters.

Package shall include information on the project including but not limited to the purpose and need, proposed action, alternatives, current resource conditions, effects of the proposed action, and applicable regulations and how they apply. Maps providing information shall also be included as part of the package.

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact for receipt of tribal scoping and comment period notification letters for inclusion in the project record.

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Contractor shall print any EA/FONSIs to send with comment letters as requested by Agency.

Contractor shall update the mailing list following the scoping and comment period for the upcoming objection period.

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency to schedule, prepare for, and conduct a scoping meeting/public open house as identified in the timeline in Appendix A, and shall coordinate with Agency for any other public meetings deemed necessary by Responsible Official. Public meetings are expected to occur during a time that is appropriate for most interested parties to attend, such as evenings from 6:30 to 8:30pm or late morning, afternoon, or evening if held on a weekend.

o Contractor shall prepare public information documents including but not limited to a meeting agenda, documents providing descriptions and details of the proposed project, maps (both 8X11 size for handouts and larger for presentation purposes), photos and other images, sign-in and comment sheets for individuals attending the meetings, name tags, and any other relevant documents and materials needed for the meeting(s). Contractor shall provide meeting materials to Agency for approval prior to the scoping meeting(s) as outlined in the timeline in Appendix A.

o Contractor shall schedule an appropriate location for the scoping meeting(s) to be held following approval of location by Agency and shall request assistance in securing meeting rooms if needed.

o For public meetings, Contractor shall provide key specialists, as deemed appropriate by Agency, to be available for assistance, questions, and conduction of the meeting. Contractor shall also provide documentation of the meeting as appropriate and shall provide the Agency point-of-contact with meeting notes within three business days following the public meeting.

o Contractor shall manage receipt of public comments at the meeting and provide Agency with those comments upon request.

C3.7 TASK 7G: COMPLETE CONTENT ANALYSIS ON ALL COMMENTS RECEIVED

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency for receipt of all public comments. Contractor shall organize and analyze comments, identifying substantive comments and grouping similar comments (that would have a similar response), following the Agency-provided template and similar to one or more examples provided by Agency point-of-contact, unless negotiated otherwise. Comments shall be coded or labeled for tracking purposes.

Comments included for analysis shall consist of quotes from responses illustrating issues or concerns on specific topics. Responses shall be as concise as possible, incorporating by reference parts of the EA/FONSI where the concern has been addressed, if appropriate. Upon review of comments, Contractor in coordination with Agency, shall develop alternatives if needed by completing the subtasks outline below:

Subtasks 7G.1

Contractor shall identify key issues.

Contractor shall, if needed and in coordination with Agency, develop a range of reasonable alternatives that address significant issues and meet the purpose and need of the proposed action (the no action alternative is included).

Contractor shall coordinate with the agency development of possible design criteria, mitigation measures, and monitoring actions, as necessary.

Contractor shall define the evaluation criteria to use in measuring the effects to the key issues to be approved by Agency.

Contractor shall prepare materials for Responsible Official approval.

If analysis of comments identifies issues that might not be avoided or mitigated to less than significant, then

Responsible Official will determine whether to proceed with preparing an environmental impact statement, SERVICE RFP P a g e | 13 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007 explore other alternatives that would meet the purpose and need, or cancel the project. In an interdisciplinary manner, Contractor shall code and index issues and concerns expressed by the public.

C3.7 TASK 7H: COMPLETE FINAL EA/FONSI AND DRAFT DECISION NOTICE (DN)

Once the comment content analysis has been completed, Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact on completing a final EA/FONSI and developing and revising a DN following the template and examples provided by Agency point-of-contact.

Subtask 7H.1

Contractor shall track changes to EA/FONSI and DN throughout the revisions process.

C3.7 TASK 7I: DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE FINAL NEPA DOCUMENTS AND OBJECTION PERIOD NOTICE COVER

LETTER

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency to complete mailings and notification of objection period per 36 CFR 218.

Subtasks 7I.1

Contractor shall draft objection period notification letter following templates provided by Agency in format and examples provided by Agency in content and structure. Contractor shall send the objection period notification letter to interested public parties using the mailing list updated following the comment period and approved by Agency.

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact for receipt of tribal objection period notification letters for inclusion in the project record.

Contractor shall coordinate with Agency point-of-contact for receipt of copy of publication of the legal notice of the objection period for inclusion in the project record.

Contractor shall print any EA/FONSIs to send with comment letters as requested by Agency.

C3.7 TASK 7J: PROVIDE ALL PROCESS MATERIALS

Contractor shall provide all documents, models, analyses information, maps, etc. created throughout the process to Contracting Officer and provide a final project record including all relevant documents prior to the date of signature of the DN.

C4.0 CONTRACTOR DELIVERABLES

C4.1 General: Meeting notes, from scoping and/or other meetings, internal and external, throughout the process.

1) GIS: Any completed GIS work, to be provided to the Agency and shall become Agency property

2) Various Resource Areas: Specialist reports, effects analyses documents, and other reports determined as needed during the project. Specialist reports are specifically needed for silviculture, fire/fuels (completed by FS and assembled in the project record by Contractor), heritage/cultural resources, recreation, wildlife biology, soils, and hydrology; and should follow templates and examples provided by Agency.

3) Various Resource Areas: Any maps requested for specialist reports purposes

C4.2 NEPA: Purpose and need statement, and the description of the proposed action (initial draft provided by the agency – two drafts and one final.

1) NEPA: NEPA analysis document, environmental assessment or environmental impact statement if necessary – two drafts and one final prior to comment period. Document shall follow templates and

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 14 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007 examples provided by Agency and include references, index, glossary, and any other components identified by COR.

2) NEPA: Comments content analysis for scoping and comment periods following templates and examples provided by Agency or a negotiated format.

3) NEPA: Decision Notice (DN) – two drafts and one final prior to objection period. Agency may revise following objection period and prior to signing.

4) NEPA: Notes tracking changes between initial specialist reports and other effects analysis documents provided to Agency (e.g., BA and wildlife and rare plants specialist report) and final documents.

5) NEPA: Notes tracking changes between initial NEPA analysis document provided to Agency and final document prior to the comment period, and notes tracking changes between initial NEPA analysis document provided to Agency, and final document prior to the objection period

6) NEPA: Notes tracking changes between initial DN document provided to Agency and final document approved by Agency prior to the objection period

7) NEPA: Updated mailing lists; each mailing list used to distribute letters and information to the public shall be saved with the letters and information sent and included in the project record.

8) NEPA: Public letters, information packages, handouts, maps, and other informative documents approved by Agency to be provided to the public in mailings or meetings.

9) NEPA: Project record in both digital and hard copy form organized following project record instructions provided by Agency point-of-contact and containing all relevant material prior to signature of the DN.

C4.3 Forest Plan Consistency: Documentation of how the Proposed Action is consistent or does not affect each Forest Plan desired condition, standard, and guideline.

C4.4 Silviculture: At least four cycles (ten years apart) of predictive Forest Service Vegetation (FSVeg) Spatial

Analyzer GIS models for outputs including but not limited to models by cover type, basal area (BA), VSS class, and percentage maximum standard density index (%Max SDI) and other desired fuels outputs.

C4.5 Wildlife, Fish, and Rare Plant Biology: Biological assessment (BA) for submission to the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service following templates provided by Agency point-of-contact for formatting and examples identified by Agency wildlife biologist for content and structure.

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C5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS & PERSONNEL

C5.1 MATERIALS

The Government shall deliver or make available to the NEPA contractor any requested references, guidelines, manuals, handbooks, examples, data, and document standards for all NEPA documents and any resource specialist reports and required surveys available. These may be provided electronically or in hard copy. Various documents may be included in the initial project record provided for transfer to Contractor. Materials include but are not limited to the following:

Materials Resource Areas

Guidance documents on meeting Section 508 requirements for accessibility General

Access to FSVeg Stand Exam Data (Data Base), FSVeg Spatial, and FSVeg Spatial Data

Analyzer

Silviculture; Fire/Fuels

Example specialist reports and examples of other analyses documents (e.g. BA and BE) Silviculture, Fire/Fuels, Hydrology, Soils, Cultural Resources, and

Wildlife Biology, Most similar neighbor data sets Silviculture

Region 3 sensitive species list for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, and U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service species concurrence list.

Wildlife Biology

Wildlife survey results and summary Wildlife Biology

Geographic Information System (GIS) and other database information on past and ongoing land uses such as past timber sales, mining activities, prescribed burns, etc.

for cumulative effects analysis.

GIS

Management Areas and other special areas as mapped in the Apache-Sitgreaves Land

Management Plan, dated August 2015

GIS

GIS Recreation Layers including layers for trails, visual quality objectives (VQO), recreational opportunity spectrum (ROS), and recreational niche

Recreation

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) and associated EIS and ROD

NEPA

Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1909.15 NEPA

40 CFR 1500 to 1508 (NEPA regulations) NEPA

36 CFR 218 (Objection Regulations) NEPA

Initial project record and project records instructions, requirements, and organization, along with an index or content checklist.

NEPA

Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and Agency directives that Agency has available NEPA

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Initial mailing list NEPA

Possible references for specialist reports Various areas

Templates including but not limited to templates for specialist reports, other analyses and reports (e.g. BA and BE), comments content analysis, cover letters, and NEPA documents

Various areas

Example documents including but not limited to examples of specialist reports, other analyses and reports (e.g. BA and BE), cover letters, and NEPA documents

Various areas

Forest Plan component direction table Various areas

Draft public involvement plan, purpose and need, proposed action, fire/fuels specialist report

NEPA, Fire/Fuels

C5.2 PERSONNEL FURNISHED BY THE AGENCY

C5.2.1 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL

Responsible Official for this project is the District Ranger for the Clifton Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves

National Forests. The Responsible Official will be signing the final decision at the end of the analysis.

C5.2.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER’S REPRESENTATIVE (COR)

The Contracting Officer will delegate duties to a Contracting Officer’s Representative who will serve as the primary contact between the NEPA contractor and the Contracting Officer. The point-of-contact is responsible for:

A. Providing all government-furnished documents needed to successfully comply with agency requirements and standards for NEPA analysis;

B. Coordinating development and revision of the public involvement plan, mailing lists, issues, alternatives, purpose and need and proposed action;

C. Monitoring all NEPA-related work activities and evaluating completion of deliverables;

D. Coordinate and maintain internal Agency records and transfer documents necessary for inclusion in the project record;

E. Keeping Agency personnel informed of the NEPA status and progress;

F. Coordinating timely and adequate reviews of draft documents by appropriate Agency specialists;

G. Coordinating timely approvals from Responsible Official during key points in the NEPA process;

H. Acting as a liaison between Agency resource specialists for information requests;

I. Ensuring that the documentation is complete and adequate for the decision to be made; and

J. Responding to, or delegating the responsibility to respond to, any FOIA requests received during and after the NEPA process;

C5.2.3 PROJECT INSPECTOR

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will identify a Project Inspector who will monitor progress and serve as a subject matter expert to resolve issues technical in nature and related to fire/fuels. The Inspector will communicate directly with the contractor and keep COR informed of any all discussions/questions/concerns.

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 17 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007

C5.2.4 RESOURCE SPECIALISTS

Agency specialists will provide available topic specific information for analyses, modeling, and data gathering and will be available to answer questions as needed through the COR. Resource specialists will provide reviews of documents through the COR as needed and will review specialist reports and effects analyses documents and coordinate with the COR for timely reviews and transfers of information. If reviews are not completed by the deadlines outlined in the timeline in Appendix A, Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately.

Contracting Officer may authorize the Contractor to continue work as if the documents have been approved.

Resources specialists will follow project record documentation guidance for documents to be provided to the COR.

The COR will provide the Contractor these documents to be included in the project record.

C6.0 GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

C6.1 Title to Government-furnished property shall remain in the Government. The NEPA contractor shall use the

Government-furnished property only in connection with this NEPA process. The NEPA contractor shall maintain adequate property control records in accordance with sound industrial practice and will make such records available for Government inspection upon request.

Upon delivery of Government-furnished property to the NEPA contractor, the NEPA contractor assumes the risk and responsibility for its loss or damage.

All documents and records generated or used to complete the NEPA documents for this project, will remain official

Government property, to be turned over to the Agency upon completion of this NEPA process or upon request by the Agency at all reasonable times. The NEPA contractor shall not release project records to anyone outside the

Agency, without the written consent of the Agency. The NEPA contractor shall maintain the confidentiality of any confidential, protected or privileged document or information submitted to, or prepared by, the NEPA contractor or the Agency in the course of this NEPA project.

C6.2 The cultural resource inventory report, Agency letters to tribes, tribal responses, and other reports that may contain sensitive cultural resource information are confidential and cannot be disclosed to the public

(36CFR296.18). Copies of these reports provided to the contractor must be returned to the Agency or deleted after the NEPA process is completed or upon request of the Agency.

C6.3 All documents and records generated or used to complete this NEPA project, except for sensitive cultural resource documents, will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. All Freedom of Information Act requests from the public for information related to this project will be handled through the Agency point-of-contact. Any project information still in the possession of the NEPA contractor must immediately be made available to the

Agency if needed to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request.

C6.4 Upon completing this NEPA process, the NEPA contractor shall follow the instructions of the Contracting officer representative and Agency point-of-contact regarding the disposition of all Government-furnished property not consumed in fulfilling the terms of this statement of work or previously delivered to the Government

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 18 SOL NO: AG-8173-S-15-0019

LOCATION: APACHE-SITGREAVES NF

PROJECT NAME: NEPA WALLOW WEST PRESCRIBED FIRE

SECTION D--PACKAGING AND MARKING

See the requirements in the attached statement of work.

SECTION E--INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vfagara.htm

FAR 52.246-4 Inspection of Services – Fixed Price (Aug 1996)

SECTION F--DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vfagara.htm

AGAR 452.211-74 Period of Performance (FEB 1988)

The period of performance of this contract is from date of award through FEBRUARY 28, 2018. See Appendix A.

AGAR 452.211-75 Effective Period of Contract (FEB 1988)

The effective period of this contract is from date of award through FEBRUARY 28, 2018. See Appendix A.

http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm

SERVICE RFP P a g e | 19 SOL AG-8173-S-17-0007

SECTION G--CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1.0 AGAR 452.215-73 Post Award Conference (NOV 1996) A post award conference with the successful offeror is required. It will be scheduled within 30 calendar days after the date of contract award. The conference will be held at a location to be determined.

G2.0 PROPOSED TIMELINE:

Appendix A

EAST EAGLE/MUD SPRINGS HAZARDOUS FUELS RESTORATION PROJECT – PRELIMINARY TIMELINE

TASK

OPTIMAL

COMPLETION TIME

DUE DATES

PIL 7 days November 2017

Final Proposed Action/Purpose and Need 7 days January 2017

Scoping/30 Day Comment 30 days March 2018

List in SOPA March 2018

Public Meetings 14 days March/April 2018

Review Scoping/Comments Due date: April 2018

Forest Service specialist review of Chapters 1 and 2 of NEPA document

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