Attachment 1 - PWS.pdf

Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement 140R3021R0001

ATTACHMENT 1

Performance Work Statement

Cibola Valley Conservation Area (CVCA) Farming and Irrigation Services

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Cibola Valley Conservation Area (CVCA) Farming and Irrigation Services

1.0 General

This is a non-personal services contract to provide farming and irrigation services. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Introduction

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform farming and irrigation services as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as government-furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a partnership of Federal and non-Federal stakeholders responding to the need to balance the use of Lower Colorado River (LCR) water resources and the conservation of native species and their habitats in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. This is a long-term (50-year) plan to conserve at least 26 species along the LCR from Lake Mead to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico through the implementation of a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Most covered species are state and/or federally listed special status species. The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is the entity responsible for implementing the LCR MSCP over the 50-year term of the program.

A Steering Committee currently consisting of 57 entities has been formed, as described in the LCR MSCP Funding and Management Agreement, to provide input and oversight functions to support LCR MSCP implementation.

The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) is a multi-stakeholder, federal and non-federal, partnership that seeks to balance the use of Colorado River water resources with the conservation of native species and their habitats in compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).

A major component of the LCR MSCP is the creation and management of habitat. The LCR MSCP will create and maintain 5,940 acres of cottonwood-willow and 1,320 acres of honey mesquite habitat. Farming and irrigation services are used to maintain the Cibola Valley Conservation Area (CVCA) at a level appropriate for efficient water delivery, invasive weed control, road maintenance, and general maintenance of the site and irrigation systems.

1.2 Location and Project Background

The CVCA is located about 18 miles south of Blythe, CA on land owned by Arizona Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) leased to LCR MSCP. The CVCA includes 1,245 acres of created habitat and an additional 37 acres considered managed habitat for a total of 1,282 acres. Habitat is broken up into 13 phases and includes a nursery for vegetation collection by outside parties with LCR MSCP approval. Phases 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9 (452 acres) are cottonwood-willow land cover types and will continue to receive irrigation to promote vegetation growth and meet covered species habitat suitability. Phases 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11 (793 acres) are honey mesquite land cover types and do not normally receive irrigation, only when directed by LCR MSCP staff in rare instances. AGFC is entitled to divert up to 2,828 acre-feet per year of Arizona fourth priority Colorado River water with the potential of up to 750 acre-feet per year of fifth priority Colorado River water, and up to 1,000 acre-feet per year of Arizona sixth priority Colorado River water. Irrigation water is ordered through and provided by the Cibola Valley Irrigation and Drainage District via their pumps and main canal. Irrigation water is directed from the main canal to the phases through 12 miles of canals and 15 canal gates (jack gates) plus an unknown number of field ports (slide gates).

1.3 Scope of Project

The purpose of this contract shall be to perform farming services for the management of cottonwood/willow, mesquite, and associated land cover types; maintenance of existing previously restored land cover types; and irrigation and irrigation structure maintenance.

Maintaining and developing land cover types requires combining knowledge of farming and irrigation practices in conjunction with management vegetation necessary for covered species requirements outlines in the LCR MSCP Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The conservation area is considered fully developed and managed by LCR MSCP with no new planting areas are available or anticipated within the current site boundary.

There is an existing pump and main canal irrigation system in place operated and maintained by CVIDD. Land owners/operators maintain lateral canals including lined/unlined ditches within CVIDD. The following list indicates the type of work to be performed by the contractor.

• Irrigation services, repair, and maintenance.

• Farming services including use of farming equipment.

• Road maintenance and dust control.

• Chemical application (herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer)

The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, and materials to execute the farming and irrigation services as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.0 Services to be Performed

2.1 Task 1 – Site Maintenance

2.1.1 To the extent possible, dust control shall take place when needed or to meet local air quality standards.

2.1.2 Road maintenance may be necessary to ensure access to farming areas. Services may include vegetation removal, road grading, or other repairs.

• Clear vegetation within 20 feet of levee roads twice per year.

AQL: 100%

• Keep non-levee roads clear of vegetation.

• Maintain a clearance width of 20 feet.

• Maintain a vertical clearance height of 14 feet.

• Minor repairs will be performed when there is a perceived hazard to public safety and for any damage to the road surface less than 50 square feet and 18.0 inches in depth.

AQL: Repairs made within 14 days of contractor observing or notified of damage.

2.1.3 Clearing of vegetation adjacent to irrigations ditches will be performed twice per year to maintain the integrity of the ditch.

2.2 Task 2 – Irrigation System Repair

2.2.1 The contractor shall be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of all irrigation canals/ditches and gates located on the conservation area on an “as needed” basis. The contractor shall be responsible to ensure the irrigation system is in good working condition.

• Freeboard, the distance between the water surface and the top of the canal, shall not be less than six inches.

AQL: As measured at beginning, mid and end of canal. No measurement can be less than six inches.

• Irrigation canal (jack) gates are able to open 90% or more and contain no visible holes.

• Field ports (slide gates) are able to open 90% or more and have no visible holes

• Irrigation canals cracks cannot exceed a width of 0.25 inches and cannot exceed half the length of the panel.

• Buckling is not to exceed 1.0 inch from the adjacent panel or general alignment.

• Erosion (loss of soil adjacent to canal) is not to exceed 1.0 inch in depth, 1.0 inch protrusion from canal and 6.0 inches longitudinal to canal panel

• Canals shall be clear of debris and vegetation prior to charging with water.

• Irrigation system repairs completed within 14 days of defect identified.

• Clear and dispose of vegetation within 25 feet of canal boarder two times per year

AQL: 100%

2.3 Task 3 – Irrigation Services

2.3.1 The contractor shall adhere to local irrigation district policy for water orders and remain under the yearly water entitlement.

2.3.2 Work shall include irrigating riparian land cover types including species of cottonwood/willow, mesquite, and associated vegetation at CVCA. See Exhibit 1 on page 7 of this PWS for an Irrigation Schedule proposed by Reclamation personnel. This is only a suggested schedule; site conditions (soils), climatic conditions, and vegetation condition may dictate either increasing or decreasing the frequency of irrigation for the growth and survival of trees, shrubs, and other habitat vegetation, which will be determined either by Reclamation or by the contractor.

AQL: Notify Reclamation within 24 hours of any changes to the irrigation schedule.

Changes require Reclamation approval.

2.3.3 Irrigation will be sufficient enough to cover each check (reach the opposite end of field from field port) during an irrigation cycle per the provided schedule.

AQL: Water is within 50 feet of field boarder.

• Sufficient irrigation coverage of field to which trees present a healthy appearance.

• Inspect and repair field boarders and berms AQL: Repairs made within 14 days of observed or reported damage.

2.4 Task 4 – Chemical Application

2.4.1 Work shall include maintaining existing fields with desired land cover types by managing invasive species including salt cedar and other invasive species within 40 feet of road edges.

Application of herbicides will require a Certified Pesticide Applicator. Additional means of vegetation removal may include disking, burning, and/or physical removal (hand pulling).

Authorization from Reclamation may be required prior to the application of any herbicide, pesticide, or fertilizer.

• Applicator shall have a Certified Pesticide Applicator License applicable to site

AQL: 100%

• Obtain a fertilizer application recommendation from a licensed Pest Control

Advisor/Consultant. Provided recommendation to Reclamation two (2) weeks prior to application

AQL: 100%

• Following Reclamation approval of Pest Control Advisor/Consultant Recommendation, Contractor Farmer/Irrigator shall not deviate from pesticide application rate.

AQL: May not exceed concentration or amount recommended by Advisor/Consultant

2.4.2 Work may include application of fertilizer to the existing nursery, areas to be restored, and existing restored areas. Fertilizer may be applied by aerial spray, broadcast, or added to the water delivery system.

2.4.3 Work may include employing a backhoe to excavate areas for the creation of moist soil units within the conservation area.

2.5 Task 5 – Management

2.5.1 Meetings: The contractor will be required to meet with Reclamation monthly on site, and then on an “as needed” basis either on site or at Cibola to provide management advice, recommendations, warnings/precautions to Reclamation based on prior farming experience and expertise.

AQL: The contractor may only cancel two site visits during the contract year. They shall notify the project manager 48 hours prior to the scheduled site visit if they are unable to attend.

2.5.2 Progress Reports: Monthly progress reports are required. At a minimum the report shall address the following; 1) general status of work performed in previous month; 2) tasks completed; 3) problems or constraints encountered; 4) information on the application of any chemicals; 5) proposed activities during the next month.

2.5.3 Chemicals, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers: The contractor, based on their knowledge and experience, shall consult with a Certified Pesticide Applicator to determine the product type and amount of chemical to be applied to the fields. This can be based on soil samples, vegetation health, invasion of weeds, and any other pertinent information needed to accurately make decisions regarding chemical use. All chemicals utilized in the course of this contract must be approved for use by the state where performance is taking place.

Note: Contractor shall evaluate non-toxic or biobased alternatives and certify if biobased alternatives are used. Information on biobased products may be found at the following site;

http://www.biopreferred.gov/bioPreferredCatalog/faces/jsp/catalogLanding.jsp.

If a non-toxic / biobased alternative is not available, the contractor shall complete the form found in Attachment 2 -Hazardous Material Authorization Form and submit it to the Contracting Officer prior to use or application of that chemical.

Material Safety Data Sheets are required to be submitted for all chemicals. Contractor shall maintain records that clearly identify the type of hazardous materials/chemicals used, the quantity used, method of application and the date and location that each chemical is applied during the contract’s performance period. These records are subject to review by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at any time and must be submitted to Reclamation or State Officials upon request.

2.5.4 Invoicing: Contractor’s itemized billing shall reflect Section B’s schedule line items and shall be submitted on a monthly basis. A one-page progress report shall be submitted with the invoice to describe what services were performed that month.

2.5.5 Site Management: Assure that no equipment is left or stored on the conservation site.

2.5.6 Quality Assurance Plan: The Contractor is required to submit a quality assurance plan that clearly demonstrates what steps / measures will be taken to assure compliance with all of the Performance Work Statement’s requirements. (See Solicitation Attachment 2 – Performance Requirements) http://www.biopreferred.gov/bioPreferredCatalog/faces/jsp/catalogLanding.jsp

2.5.7 Contractor Safety Plan: In accordance with Reclamation Clause 1452.223-81, Contractor shall submit a site specific safety plan. No services may commence until a Safety Plan is submitted, reviewed and approved in writing by the COR.

2.4.8 Liability Insurance: In accordance with Department of Interior Clause 1452.228-70, Contractor is required to maintain liability insurance through the entire performance period.

Copies of the contractor’s liability insurance shall be submitted prior to the commencement of services and must be renewed and resubmitted to the contracting office annually.

3. 0 Contractor-Furnished Items and Services

3.1. Chemicals, herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. The contractor shall be responsible for the purchase of all chemicals required for successful performance. (herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers)

3.2. Irrigation repair. Contractor is responsible for jack gates, parts, and supplies needed for general repair. The contractor shall repair any gates or cracks in the delivery system that would be considered general maintenance to keep the system in good working condition. Any need for repairs outside of general maintenance must be coordinated with and approved by Reclamation.

4.0 General Information:

4.1 Period fo Performance: Resultant award will be a five year Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity Type Contract. Task Orders will be issued as needed for required services.

Performance is anticipated to begin in January 2021 and run until December 2025.

4.2 Place of Performance: Cibola Valley Conservation Area, La Paz County, AZ

4.3 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure nonrecurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which they assure themselves that their work complies with the requirement of the contract.

4.4 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) as identified in section 7.0 of this PWS.

In accordance with the clause paragraph 52.212-4(a), Inspection/Acceptance, the Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance of the work requirements. For each of the required services listed in the Performance Requirement Summary (PRS), the Government intends to follow, but is not limited to, the surveillance methods listed in the PRS. Government personnel will record all surveillance observations. Government surveillance of required services not specifically listed in the PRS (provided for by the Inspection of Services clause) may occur during the performance period of the work.

5.0 Invoices

Contractor shall submit an invoice once monthly. A preliminary copy of the monthly invoice shall be emailed to the Contract Specailist and the COR for review prior to uploading to the Internet Payment Platform (IPP) for processing.

Note: Contractor’s will be reimbursed for the cost of fertilizer, herbicide and pesticides purchased for use under this contract. Contractor’s original invoices for all chemicals purchased for this contract are to be submitted along with the contractor’s itemized invoice. Profit may not be applied on reimbursable items. The dollar amount of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides that may be purchased in each performance year is subject to a ceiling cap. Please see Solicitation Section B – Schedule of Services /Supplies for information on the ceiling prices established for this acquisition.

6.0 Submittals

6.1 The Contractor shall perform all work required for furnishing submittals to the Government, in accordance with this PWS.

The Government will complete the review of submittals, or resubmittals, within 14 calendar days of receiving a complete set of the submittal materials. If the Government uses time in excess of the specified number of calendar days for review of any submittal or resubmittal, additional time, not to exceed the excess time, will be added to the time allowed the Contractor for performance of the service.

After the Government's review, any submittals that are not approved or that require changes or revisions shall be returned to the Contractor for corrective action within 5 calendar days after the Contractor has received the Government's comments.

6.2 Required Submittal Table

Table 1

RSN Submittals Required

Reference paragraph or clause

Responsible Code*

Number of sets to mail to*:

Due date or delivery date

CO COR

001 Liability Insurance FAR 52.228-5 &

DIAR 1452.228-

70 & PWS

Paragraph 2.4.8

CO 1 0 Within ten (10) days of notice of award.

002 Quality Assurance Plan

PWS Paragraph 2.4.6 COR 0 1 Within ten (10) days of notice of award.

003 Safety Plan WBR 1452.223-81 & PWS Paragraph 2.4.7

COR 1 1 Within ten (10) days of award date.

004 Monthly Progress/ Status Report

PWS Paragraph 2.4.2 COR 0 1 Submit with monthly invoice.

005 Material Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Materialst

PWS Paragraph 2.4.3 COR 0 1 At least 10 days piror to job site delivery of each hazardous material.

* "CO" denotes the Contracting Officer; "COR" denotes the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

7.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY (PRS)

The Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) chart identifies the required services / tasks, the performance standards, and the acceptable quality level. The Contractor’s performance is evaluated on the basis of a number of performance elements relating to quality and timely performance. The applicable performance elements are identified in the PRS and each element is weighted in terms of its relative importance to the contract requirement.

Quality assessments will be conducted by Reclamation personnel in the form of reviewing data sets submitted, monthly progress reports, draft reports and final reports.

Table 2

Task No.

Task Description

Performance Indicator

Performance Standard

Minimum Acceptable Quality Level

2-1 Farming Practices -Maintain road edges -Application of herbicides/pesticides

Periodic inspection- Reclamation personnel or appointed representative will periodically be on site in addition to montly reports provided by the contractor to Reclamation

-Road edges are to be cleared of invasive species within 40 feet of edge.

-Applicator shall have a Certified Pesticide Applicator License applicable to site

100 % of the time

3-2

Reporting & Data Submission

Submit monthly progress reports and annual draft & final reports. Provide copies of all generated data sets to COR

All deliverables submitted on time and in accordance with Table 2 of the Statement of Work. All data submitted so that it can be clearly understood.

100% of established timeline for deliverables and collected data be provided to Reclamation

3-3

Meetings Attend and present at both CRAB and LMWG meetings

Contractor will prepare and present findings at annual meetings.

95% attendance at meetings

Exhibit 1 – Irrigation Schedule – Habitat

Day/Week/Month Frequency

Feb-May Once a month June-August Twice a month September-October Once a month