Attachment_1_-_FY26_Hobe_Sound_NWR_SOW_Predator_Control_Services.pdf

Attachment 1

Scope of Work Furnish and Deliver Predator Control Services

Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge Hobe Sound, Florida

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 General: This is a non-personal services contract to selectively remove/control predators in areas along the Refuge beach and Mainland tracts to reduce nest depredations, increase sea turtle nesting success, and protect other Trust Resources as needed. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform work services as defined in this Scope of Work (SOW) except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Introduction: This procurement is for selective predator control/removal services to be performed by trained and experienced personnel for various species including but not limited to coyotes and hogs. The Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge is located along Florida’s southeast coast within a 3.5-mile stretch between St. Lucie Inlet and Jupiter Inlet in Martin County. The refuge was established in 1968 to conserve threatened and endangered wildlife, including sea turtles. All species of Florida sea turtles are either threatened or endangered. Habitat loss, unrestricted harvesting, long-line fishing, marine debris, and other factors have caused serious declines in marine turtle populations throughout their ranges. Female sea turtles depend on very limited and dwindling coastal habitat for their survival and nesting substrate. Heavy predation by a variety of predators can significantly decreased the hatching success of sea turtles. The Refuge will utilize predator control services in order to reduce sea turtle nest depredation and the increase protection of other trust resources on the Refuge as necessary.

1.3 Period of Performance: The Contractor shall begin work within 2 weeks of award date or within 30 days of notification from an authorized Government representative. The project shall be fully completed [predator removal, final invoice] by November 30, 2026.

1.4 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be within the boundaries of the Nathaniel P. Reed Hobe Sound NWR, Hobe Sound in Martin County, Florida. The Refuge is comprised of two separate and distinct tracts of land totaling 1,091 acres (Figure 1). The 735-acre island tract is located at the north end of North Beach Road, approximately two miles north of Bridge Road on Jupiter Island, and the 300-acre mainland tract is located between US 1 and the Indian River Lagoon, approximately two miles south of Bridge Road.

1.5 Type of Contract: This is a Firm Fixed Price contract. Vendors shall provide a quote for service costs on a weekly (5 days) basis.

QUOTE $______________ per week (5 days)

1.6 Special Qualifications: Contractor shall be a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and have, at minimum, 100 hours of documented experience in trapping and removal of predators such as coyotes and hogs from public lands.

1.7 Security Requirements: n/a

1.7.1 Lock Combinations (if applicable). The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations.

1.8 Data Rights (If applicable): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

II. SCOPE

2.1 Objective: To selectively remove nuisance predators including but not limited to coyotes and hogs in targeted areas of the Refuge.

2.2 The Contractor shall provide all personnel, labor, equipment (i.e. traps), supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform the requirements of this contract order and shall plan, schedule, coordinate, and ensure effective performance of required services for the entire duration of contract.

NOTE: The Contracting Officer reserves the right to require the Contractor to replace any operating personnel, or equipment used in the performance of this Contract if the personnel, or equipment are violating, or have violated, any state or federal laws; or are unsafe; or for any valid reason. In this event, the Contractor shall as soon as reasonably possible, upon written or verbal notice (to be later reduced to writing) from the Contracting Officer, provide replacements satisfactory to the Contracting Officer at no additional cost.

2.3 The Contractor shall provide USFWS with contact information for all ground personnel, vehicles, and equipment, identification information (including make, model, color, name of company, and contact information) at least 48 hours before implementation of the project.

2.4 The Refuge must be notified at least 48 hours prior to work commencement.

2.5 To access the target area for removals, a service path that runs north of the Refuge beach parking lot may be utilized. This path is accessible by UTVs/ATVs furnished by the contractors. ATV/UTVs will be permitted on the beach where the service path ends and only for purposes related to this permit. Beach riding guidelines must be followed:

a. Drive less than 15mph during the day and less than 10mph at night. Entering the beach only at designated access points and proceeding directly to the hard-packed sand below the high tide line is encouraged year-round.

b. Avoid driving above the high tide line or on/above the wrack line. Driving on the beach at high tide may not be possible.

c. Avoid driving through or near large groups of loafing/resting birds.

d. To the extent possible, do not drive on the upper beach, in the dunes, or over beach vegetation.

e. To the extent possible, do not drive over fresh turtle tracks coming from the water to potential nests.

Coordination with the Refuge biologist may be required.

f. Avoid the wrack line or areas of dense seaweed which may contain shorebird/seabird chicks. Chicks are often observed feeding at the wrack line and will use it as cover to hide from a potential disturbance (i.e., vehicle).

g. If beach scarps or high tides require driving above the high tide line, avoid areas that could harbor bird nests.

During chick season, stop frequently and scan the beach with binoculars before proceeding. Young chicks will crouch and freeze and will not run from a vehicle. Even with binoculars, they are hard to detect. Do not go under rope or through posted areas.

h. Avoid leaving deep ruts on the dry sandy beach, particularly in front of shorebird/seabird nests (or those of sea turtles). Young chicks will crouch in tire ruts at an approaching disturbance (i.e., vehicle). Because of this behavior, the creation of ruts may result in crushing of chicks.

i. When driving on the beach at night, red lights must be used. Driving with white lights or without any lights on is not permitted.

2.6 Contractor shall ensure proper removal/disposition of caught or dispatched nuisance predators from Refuge lands as soon as possible, not to extend beyond 12 hours.

III. APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES

3.1 All Contractor employees performing work directly onsite must adhere to all local regulations, rules, policies relating to the obtainment of proper clearances, building access, site access, and badges. If applicable, must complete background investigation, computer security, and records management training.

3.2 The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

3.3 OSHA, 29 CFR 1910 (as applicable)

3.4 EPA regulations

3.5 The Contractor shall be responsible for acquiring and maintaining all federal and local licenses, certification, and permits as required.

3.6 Chapter 487, Florida Statutes

3.7 The Contractor (or their representatives) shall not litter. Litter violations shall be handled under Federal Code of Regulations 50CFR27.94(a) , which carries a fine of $100.00 per incident upon conviction.

IV. WORK TIME/HOURS OF DUTY

4.1 Work shall not be performed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

4.2 Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall conduct reconnaissance and removal operations when nesting and predators are most active, and the Refuge is closed to the public (sunset to sunrise). Any daytime operations shall be requested in writing and may be approved at the discretion of the COR. The contractor may work any day of the week except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the Contractor shall not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this SOW when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

4.3 Special Conditions

4.3.1 The COR shall inform the Contractor of the time schedule as work progresses. However, the Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice.

4.3.2 Weather and site conditions may interfere with the work completion schedule negotiated at the award conference. The Contracting Officer may halt work at any time upon written notice for conditions beyond the control of the contractor. If this result in significant time lost, the completion date for the project can be re-negotiated by the CO/COR/SR and the Contractor.

V. SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND UTILITIES

NOTE: As a government agency dedicated to “working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strives to incorporate the most ecologically sound and environmentally beneficial technologies, materials, and practices into all aspects of planning and operations. To help achieve this mission and meet Executive Orders (EOs) and Department of the Interior (DOI) planning requirements, the USFWS has implemented strategies to reduce the environmental impacts associated with procurement, lease acquisition, waste prevention and recycling, facility design, construction, operation and management, contracting and permitted commercial visitor services. These strategies have been collectively referred to as the FWS’s Green Procurement and Waste Prevention & Recycling Program (Greening Program) and are a part of the FWS’s overall approach to environmental management.

5.1 Government-Furnished Property and Services. none

5.1.1 Services/Supply: none

5.1.2 Facilities: The contractor may utilize the beach parking lot to access the path to the job site and other access sites approved USFWS. Staging ATV/UTV, light duty truck and landscape style trailer (in combination) is permitted at the discretion of the Site/Refuge Manager. Equipment protection and storage is the responsibility of the Contractor.

5.1.3 Utilities: none

5.1.4 Equipment: none

5.1.5 Materials: none

5.2 Supplies, Materials, and Equipment: to be provided by the Contractor

5.2.1 All supplies, equipment, parts, and material(s) required to successfully complete this requirement (unless otherwise provided by the Government as indicated above). All equipment to be used in the performance of work described herein is subject to the approval of the Government Representative (GR).

VI. SUPERVISION

6.1 In order to ensure performance and accomplishment of the work as outlined herein, the Contractor shall provide adequate and competent supervision at all times for all work to be accomplished by the Contractor’s employees.

When contract work is in progress, supervisory personnel shall be available at all times to receive notices, reports, or requests from the GR/COR or his authorized representative. At no time shall Government representatives direct or supervise the activities of the Contractor’s employees.

6.2 On-site Supervision. An on-site supervisor, with the ability to speak and understand English clearly, and with the authority to act for the Contractor on a day-to-day basis and to sign inspection reports and all other correspondence on behalf of the Contractor, shall be present at the work site at all times when contract work is in progress, unless a contractor employee can act on the supervisor’s behalf.

6.3. Supervisory Responsibilities. Supervisory responsibilities shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

6.3.1 Providing an adequate labor force; this includes the immediate replacement of personnel dismissed for cause or leaving employment of their own volition.

6.3.2 Ensuring that Contractor personnel are properly trained to perform their assigned work in a proper, safe, and efficient manner, and ensuring that the proper supplies, materials, and equipment are on hand.

6.3.3 Taking action to prevent general carelessness by employees and/or abuse of facilities or equipment.

6.3.4 Establishing an effective and comprehensive safety program.

6.3.5 Indoctrinating employees to report fire, hazardous conditions, maintenance deficiencies, and graffiti.

6.3.6 Continually ensuring that the conduct of the Contractor’s employees reflect favorably upon the Contractor’s and FWS organization(s). If applicable, supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that employees fully support and participate in the energy-conservation program within the facilities. Use lights or other energy-consuming equipment only in areas where and when work is actually being performed. Secure lights and other equipment when not in use or needed.

VII. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS

7.1 Supervisory Personnel. All supervisory employees engaged in directing the work to be accomplished under this contract shall possess, at least with-in the last two years of recent, (within the past four years) experience in directing the subject service-type operations in a supervisory capacity for buildings/property of the approximate size/scope under this contract.

VIII. DELIVERABLES

8.1 Frequent reporting/accounting of overall progress and (to-date) expenditures (i.e. 25%, 50%, 90%) or as determined by the Government/Site Representative.

8.2 Coordination, removal documentation, and wrap-up meetings.

8.3 Work plan to include schedule.

8.4 Copies of all invoices (signed by the Contractor) shall be submitted to the USFWS Site Manager as agreed upon by the Government and the Contractor.

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

(This technical exhibit lists any reports or documentation that are required as a deliverable and includes the frequency, # of copies, medium/format and who/where it is to be submitted. A deliverable is anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-physical things such as meeting minutes.)

Deliverable Frequency # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To List of Company Point of Contacts with name, phone number, email address

Once 1 MS Word or Email Contracting Officer and Government Representative/Manager

Coordination, post-award, application, interim, and wrap-up meetings

As directed by the

CO/COR/SR

n/a Meeting Government Representative/Manager

Scheduled reporting/accounting of progress

Weekly; also at 50% & 100% project completion

1 Hard/soft copy in MS Word or Excel format

Government Representative/Manager

Final Report/Documentation of Removals

At project completion

1 Excel and jpeg Government Representative/Manager

Quality Assurance Plan

1.1 The Contractor shall institute a complete quality-control program to ensure that the requirements of this contract are provided, as specified. The overall goal of the program should be to identify and correct any problems that may exist before they are identified by or reported to the Government Representative (GR)/Site Representative (SR). This shall aid in ensuring the contractor meets time schedules, adheres to standard commercial practices, and complies with SOW/contract in an efficient, ethical, and productive manner. As a minimum, the program shall include:

1.1.1 An inspection system covering all the services required with a comprehensive checklist to be used to inspect contract performance during scheduled and unscheduled inspections, and the name(s) of the individuals who shall be performing the inspections.

1.1.2 A system for identifying and correcting deficiencies and/or a pattern of deficiencies in the quality or quantity of services provided before the level of performance becomes unacceptable and/or Government inspectors point out the deficiencies.

1.1.3 A file of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and corrective actions taken (at Contractor’s expense).

This should include follow-up inspections to ensure that corrective action was appropriate, complete, and timely.

This documentation shall be organized in a logical manner, kept current, and made available to the GR and the Contracting Officer (CO) during the term of the contract.

1.1.4 When notified of a deficiency, items designated as unsatisfactory or below standard shall be re-performed by Contactor at no additional cost to the Government. All corrective action must be completed by the next working day of notification of the deficiency. If not, a deduction may be made (as determined from the applicable month’s invoice).

Failure of the Government to notify the Contractor of a deficiency does not relieve the Contractor of the obligation to perform services nor does it relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to ensure that quality control measures are adhered to for contract compliance.

1.2 Performance Indicators and Acceptable Quality Levels

1.2.1 Comply with work production/work schedule(s) except for Excusable Delays. 100% compliance

1.2.2 Comply with all work requirements and standards as indicated within the Work Statement. 100% compliance

1.2.3 Comply with all contract terms and conditions. 100% compliance

1.2.4 Must not damage government resources, fish, wildlife, and/or property. 100% compliance

1.2.5 Maintain safety of workers and work environment at all times. 100% compliance with no deviations

1.2.6 Maintain a Quality Control Plan and immediately disclose/report any problems. 100% compliance

1.2.7 Ensure all equipment is in good working order during the entire period of performance. 100% compliance

1.3 Surveillance Methods

1.3.1 Regular communications, inspection/review of work and unscheduled inspections.

1.3.2 Inspection of materials, equipment, and chemicals. The CO/COR/SR, reserves the right to inspect, at any time upon notice to the Contractor, the Contractor’s procedures, equipment, and operating personnel. Inspection, however, shall not relieve the Contractor of any obligations or responsibilities, nor shall it transfer any liability to the Refuge.

1.4 Incentives

1.4.1 Non-compliance with Scope of Work will result in negative performance evaluation/rating.

1.4.2 A positive performance rating will be given for overall satisfactory work and compliance related to the contract.

Figure 1. General Location Map, N.P.R. Hobe Sound NWR.