Attachment_1_-_PWS.pdf

Solicitation 140R4022Q0009 – Attachment 1

Performance Work Statement 1

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

MRG Feral Cattle Round Up Performance Work Statement

1. Background and Introduction

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), Upper Colorado Basin Region, Albuquerque Area

Office, is seeking contractor assistance to remove feral cattle on portions of two Reclamation grazing allotments (see attached map). Reclamation is conducting this work with assistance from Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with whom we have an agreement to manage

Reclamation grazing lands around Reclamation reservoirs.

2. General Scope

This project consists of the capture and removal of unauthorized livestock of unknown ownership from Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) lands south of San Marcial, NM. Current estimates of feral livestock to be holistically removed is 120 +/– cattle. The objective of this contract is to remove all unauthorized livestock from the area of concern.

The BLM will provide technical support on this contract, working closely with the Contractor during implementation of the roundup, sharing any new reports regarding location, quantity, captured branded cattle, and helping to keep the contracting officer’s representative (COR) informed on cattle removal progress. Roundup efforts will not start without approval from the

COR.

The work includes gathering, handling, loading, and care of feral livestock from the area of concern (see map) located between Longitude -107*4'00" to -106*59'00" x Latitude 33*34'00" to

33*41'30" in Socorro County, and transportation to the nearest livestock auction house in Belen, NM, upon approval from a New Mexico Livestock Agent. The work may also include impounding and caring for branded, stray animals while public notice of unauthorized livestock is given.

Personal safety and the health and well-being of the animals are the first priorities of this contract. The work will be accomplished in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with appropriate New Mexico State laws (see New Mexico Livestock Board, https://www.nmlbonline.com/, and Ch. 77, art. 13 NMSA 1978, https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4427/index.do#!b/a13).

The Contractor will be authorized to invoice for the actual number of mature livestock gathered.

Cow-calf pairs will be counted as 1 unit and must be facilitated together. Un-weaned calves are defined as under the age of 6 months or 350 pounds.

https://www.nmlbonline.com/ https://nmonesource.com/nmos/nmsa/en/item/4427/index.do#!b/a13

Performance Work Statement 2

3. General Requirements and Information

Contract Administration

The Government will neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances will the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees. The Contractor will manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of all work performed. The Contractor will ensure customer satisfaction and professional, ethical, and safe behavior of all Contractor personnel.

The Contractor will assign work effort and maintain proper and accurate timekeeping records of personnel assigned to work on the project. The Contractor will provide administrative support to employees in a timely fashion (e.g., timekeeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs).

The prime Contractor will be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this performance work statement and will be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance. The prime Contractor may add subcontractors to their team after notification to the CO or COR.

Personnel Qualifications

The Contractor will provide a contract manager who will be responsible for the performance of the work. The Contractor will not employ any person for work on this contract if such employee is considered by the Contracting Officer (CO) to be a potential threat to the health, safety, security, general well-being, or operational mission of Reclamation and its employees. The

Contractor will not employ any person who is an employee of the U.S. government, if employing that person would create a conflict of interest or the impression of such.

If helicopters are used, Pilots must have proper training and commercial pilot certificates with a helicopter rating as well as experience with low-level helicopter operations required for aerial livestock gathering. Pilots must also have training/knowledge of livestock behavior. Aircraft will be maintained, licensed, and operated in compliance with appropriate State and Federal laws and regulations.

The Contractor will provide sufficient field staff capable of safely performing the required tasks.

Depending on time of year and river conditions, close coordination may be required with other activities on the river including fish rescues, egg collection, and interagency water operations.

Travel

The Contractor will use the appropriate government rates as posted on https://www.gsa.gov/travel-resources for travel and lodging costs to perform the work.

Period of Performance

August 1, 2022 – September 30, 2024

Performance Work Statement 3

Schedule

Aerial gathering should be done during the winter months when tree foliage is at a minimum, approximately late December to early March, but in no case will helicopters be used after March

31 or before September 1. During southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) breeding season

(approximately May 1 through August 15), trigger and bait trapping must occur at least 0.25 mile away from the nearest active SWFL nest.

Location

The project area is located in Socorro County approximately 20 miles south of San Antonio, NM

(see attached map). The location is characterized as river (bosque) vegetation with little change in elevation at approximately 4200 feet above sea level. The Rio Grande and a conveyance channel run through the middle of the site in a north-south direction. Salt cedar, Russian olive, willow, and kochia are dominant on the site.

4. Performance Requirements

Contract Administration

The Contractor will organize, attend, and document a kick-off meeting within 2 weeks after contract award and prior to work commencement, to include the Contractor, Reclamation, and the BLM Technical Specialist. The meeting may be held virtually, or the Contractor may provide a meeting facility in or near the project area (or it may be held at Reclamation or BLM offices). Contractor will prepare an agenda, have appropriate staff attend, and provide meeting minutes. The purpose of the meeting is to ensure a common understanding of the work to be performed under this performance work statement, access procedures, work and safety plans, methods, and schedule for all work activities and deliverables.

At or before the kick-off meeting, the Contractor will provide a written copy of the Contractor’s roundup schedule, work plan, and safety plan. The safety plan will conform to Reclamation

Safety and Health Standards (RSHS) (www.usbr.gov/ssle/safety/RSHS/rshs.html) and include discussions of helicopter safety, travel and open water safety, livestock handling safety, and work to rest ratios. A separate helicopter safety plan may be submitted if convenient.

Reclamation will either approve or request modification of the plans and schedule within two weeks, and the Contractor will incorporate Reclamation's feedback and submit final documents within two weeks of receiving feedback from Reclamation, but not later than the start of field work.

The Contractor will provide monthly written progress updates to the COR and the BLM

Technical Specialist that include the number of animals rounded up, number estimated to be remaining, any issues that have come up, and plans for the following month. Sufficient notes from meetings or phone calls with the COR and BLM Technical Specialist may suffice in lieu of a more formal report.

At the end of the contract, Contractor will submit a short, written report outlining the number of animals rounded up, cattle that died, issues that arose, and lessons learned. Sufficient notes from http://www.usbr.gov/ssle/safety/RSHS/rshs.html

Performance Work Statement 4 a wrap-up meeting with the COR and BLM Technical Specialist may suffice in lieu of a more formal report.

Rounding Up Livestock

The Contractor will gather and remove unauthorized livestock within the project boundary shown on the attached map. Roundup efforts may include herding with horses and helicopters, roping, leading, tie down, bait trapping, etc. No creasing or other practices that intentionally injure animals so that they can be caught will be authorized. Use of tranquilizers, euthanasia, or destruction of animals will require prior approval by the COR, unless such measures are required for the immediate safety of the crew.

Aerial gathering should be done during the winter months when tree foliage is at a minimum, approximately late December to early March, but in no case will helicopters be used after March

31 or before September 1. Prior to aerial operations, the Contractor will provide helicopter flight plans to the COR and BLM Technical Specialist. In addition, the Contractor will follow the

Government’s Project Aviation Safety Plan for this project.

During Southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) breeding season (approximately May 1 through

August 15), trigger and bait trapping must occur at least 0.25 mile away from the nearest active

SWFL nest.

The Contractor will gather as many animals as safely and humanely possible prior to May 1, 2023, to minimize grazing damage; however, the contract will remain in place for 24 months to allow for capture of animals missed in the first or second winter season.

The Contractor will furnish all labor, equipment, supplies, and incidentals necessary to accomplish the work. All trailers and vehicles will be maintained and licensed in compliance with appropriate State laws and regulations and will be the type of equipment designed for the safe handling and humane transportation of livestock. The Contractor’s pack and saddle stock as well as cow dogs will be properly cared for and provided adequate feed, water, and shelter to remain in good health.

The Contractor will pack out and dispose of, at an approved facility, all garbage and other unwanted items that result from the Contractor’s activities.

Handling Livestock

The Contractor will be required to restrain sick or injured animals if treatment is necessary. If injured or sick livestock are found that cannot be rehabilitated, the Contractor will be required to humanely euthanize the animals. The COR will provide direction to the Contractor for destruction of such animals. If an animal is accidentally killed or must be destroyed for the safety of the crew, the Contractor will photograph the dead animal with a view showing both ears and a photograph of each side of the animal so that it can be determined if the animal had been branded or was earmarked. For documented animals euthanized or killed with approval of the COR, or for the immediate safety of the crew, the Contractor will be entitled to payment for deceased animals in the amount negotiated and incorporated into the contract.

Performance Work Statement 5

The Contractor may be required to dispose of carcasses as directed by the COR. Disposing of carcasses would include dragging livestock off trails or areas of high recreation use/visibility.

Dragging may be completed with truck, UTV, or horse – no heavy equipment.

If transport to the final destination cannot take place immediately, the Contractor must construct a sufficient temporary holding facility or facilities at the capture site with feed and water. This may include, but is not limited to, portable panels, fencing, or trailers. Efforts will be made to minimize the destruction of surrounding vegetation when placing and constructing facilities. No permanent structures will be left on Reclamation lands and all equipment, materials, and trash will be removed by the end of the contract. Potential bait and trap locations and larger corral locations are noted on the attached map.

The Contractor is responsible for coordinating and paying for inspection by Officers from the

New Mexico Livestock Board. The Contractor will notify the Board within five days of impounding livestock (Section 77-13-2 NMSA 1978).

On occasion, branded livestock may be gathered. Under these circumstances, the Contractor is responsible for feeding or feed costs while livestock are impounded for approximately 7 days while public notice of stray livestock is given. If branded livestock are not claimed within the designated period, the Contractor will be responsible to transport the livestock to the final destination.

Transporting Livestock

Cattle will be transported to Cattlemen's Livestock Auction (75 loaded miles), 19543 NM-314, Belen, NM 87002. Permanent corrals and holding facilities are available at the final destination.

Once delivered, Contractor has no further obligations to care for the cattle.

The Contractor will transport livestock from the temporary holding facility at the capture site to the final destination within 24 hours of livestock inspection unless prior approval is granted by the COR.

The Contractor will not allow livestock to remain standing on trucks while not in transit for a combined period of greater than six (6) hours.

All trigger and/or trip gate devices must be designed so that they do not injure livestock. All trigger and/or trip gate devices must be monitored daily.

The Contractor will schedule shipments of animals to arrive at the final destination in coordination with the COR. No shipments will be scheduled to arrive at the final destination on

Sundays or on Federal holidays, unless prior approval has been obtained by the COR.

Performance Work Statement 6

5. Special Requirements

Safety

The safety of Contractor personal and the health and well-being of the animals are the first priorities of this contract. The Contractor and its subcontractors will promptly report pertinent facts regarding mishaps involving property damage or injury to personnel, and will cooperate in any resulting safety investigation. The Contractor will notify (via telephone) the CO, the COR, and/or the BLM Technical Specialist within four (4) hours of all mishaps or incidents. The

Government person notified by the Contractor will in-turn notify the Reclamation Safety office.

If requested by the CO, the COR, or the BLM Technical Specialist, the Contractor will immediately secure the mishap scene/damaged property and impound any relevant records until released by the investigating safety office. If the Government investigates the mishap, the

Contractor and the subcontractors will cooperate fully and assist the Government personnel until the investigation is completed.

Protection of Resources

The Contractor is not authorized to disturb, remove, damage, or destroy cultural resources, threatened and endangered species, or existing infrastructure within the Reclamation portion of the project area while performing work under this contract. In addition, the Contractor may be held liable for all damage to cultural resources, threatened and endangered species, or existing infrastructure caused by their actions or the actions of their agents or representatives, if it is determined that the damage was caused by an intentional act or gross negligence. The

Contractor will immediately notify the COR if damage occurs to any cultural resource, threatened or endangered species, or existing infrastructure, and immediately halt work in the area in which damage has occurred until authorized to proceed.

During Southwestern willow flycatcher (SWFL) breeding season (approximately May 1 through

August 15), trigger and bait trapping must occur at least 0.25 mile away from the nearest active

SWFL nest.

Government Furnished Materials and Equipment

The Government will not furnish equipment or materials for roundup efforts.

6. Deliverables / Schedule

Within two weeks of contract award, the Contractor will submit a written schedule and roundup work plan to remove all unauthorized livestock (approximately 120 but potentially up to 200) from the Reclamation grazing allotments depicted in the attached figure.

Within two weeks of contract award, the Contractor will submit a safety plan that conforms to

Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (RSHS) (www.usbr.gov/ssle/safety/RSHS/rshs.html).

A separate helicopter safety plan may be submitted if convenient.

The Contractor will provide a kick-off meeting agenda and meeting notes.

http://www.usbr.gov/ssle/safety/RSHS/rshs.html

Performance Work Statement 7

The Contractor will round up unauthorized livestock. Helicopter flight plans will be submitted prior to aerial operations.

The Contractor will provide feed and care for any branded cattle impounded until New Mexico

Livestock Officers can locate the rightful owner or the seven days holding period is met per

Board regulations and they can be transported as described below.

The Contractor will provide documentation (report with pictures) for any livestock that died from stress or livestock that was humanely euthanized due to injury or sickness.

The Contractor will transport unbranded livestock, or branded livestock that has been unclaimed for seven days per Board regulations, from the temporary holding facility at capture site to

Cattlemen's Livestock Auction, 19543 NM-314, Belen, NM 87002, within 24 hours of capture and inspection by New Mexico Livestock Officers unless prior approval is granted by the COR for unusual circumstances.

The Contractor will remove all corral facilities and any other equipment, materials, and trash by the end of the contract.

The Contractor will provide monthly written progress updates to the COR and the BLM

Technical Specialist.

The Contractor will submit a short, written final report at the end of the contract.

7. Points of Contact

Contracting Officer's Representative: Sarah Branum, 505-366-9157, sbranum@usbr.gov

Contract Officer: Tyler Spencer, 801-524-3653, tspencer@usbr.gov

BLM Technical Specialist: Michael Mora, 575-838-1282, mmora@blm.gov

8. Performance Requirements Summary

Tasks Performance Standards Performance Measurement Methods

Minimum

Acceptable

Quality

Contract

Administration

a) Complete, accurate, and timely COR & BLM Technical Specialist will monitor contract progress by direct observation and review of reports

a) 95%

• Kickoff and wrap-up mtgs

a) Meetings are held timely

b) Notes or report are provided

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will attend meetings and review notes

a) 95%

b) 95%

• Work Plan &

Schedule

a) Comprehensive and executable COR & BLM Technical Specialist will review and analyze plan

a) 100%

• Safety Plan a) Comprehensive and executable COR & BLM Technical Specialist will review and analyze plan

a) 100%

• Monthly progress updates

a) Information is complete and accurate

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will attend meetings and review notes or reports

a) 95%

Performance Work Statement 8

Tasks Performance Standards Performance Measurement Methods

Minimum

Acceptable

Quality

• Final report or meeting notes

a) Information is complete and accurate

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will review final report or attend final meeting and review notes

a) 95%

Rounding Up

Livestock

a) All livestock safely removed by end of contract

b) Livestock are not harmed

c) Flight plans submitted

d) No equipment, materials, or garbage left behind

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will monitor contract progress by direct observation and review of plans and reports

a) 100%

b) 99%

c) 100%

d) 95%

Handling

Livestock

a) All livestock fed, watered, and, if sick, treated

b) Documentation provided of all deceased animals

c) Branded livestock are held, fed, watered as specified

d) Corral facilities are removed by end of contract

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will monitor contract progress by direct observation and review of reports

a) 100%

b) 100%

c) 100%

d) 95%

Transporting

Livestock

a) All livestock transported safely to specified location

b) All livestock transported within specified timelines

COR & BLM Technical Specialist will monitor contract progress by direct observation and review of reports.

Contractor's cattle numbers will be compared to NM Livestock Board numbers.

a) 100%

b) 99%

Performance Work Statement 9