Attachment_1_Statement_of_Work.pdf

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Kanab Creek Riparian Restoration Project

Statement of Work

Background:

This project seeks to continue to restore the Kanab Creek riparian corridor. The project area encompasses 13,500 acres of BLM-managed public land along Kanab Creek and associated drainages. Project activities would only occur in 10-acre area within the riparian zone where tamarisk and Russian olive are present (approximately 806 acres). Kanab Creek forms the boundary line between Coconino and Mohave Counties, Arizona and project activities would take place in both counties. The north end of the project area is approximately 8.6 miles southwest of Fredonia, Arizona. Included are 21.6 miles of Kanab Creek and approximately 21 miles of ephemeral drainages: Bitter Seeps Wash, Bulrush Wash, Rock Canyon, Gunsight Canyon, Water Canyon, and several smaller unnamed drainages.

Much of the Kanab Creek riparian corridor has become dominated by non-native tamarisk (Tamarix sp.) (Also referred to as salt cedar) and Russian olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia).

Tamarisk is a shrub or tree that grows in dense stands at springs, ponds, and along rivers and streams. Tamarisk, introduced into the U.S. in the 19th century as an erosion control agent, spread throughout the west and has caused major changes to riparian ecosystems. This prolific non-native displaces native vegetation and increases fire frequency and severity. Tamarisk spreads by seed and can propagate from buried or submerged stems. It can replace or displace native woody species, such as cottonwood, willow, and mesquite, which occupy similar habitats, especially when timing and amount of peak water discharge, salinity, temperature, and substrate texture have been altered by human activities such as dams or water diversion. Monotypic stands of tamarisk generally have lower wildlife values compared to stands of native vegetation.

Russian olive, while not as aggressive and disruptive as tamarisk, can displace native vegetation, especially where it grows in monotypic stands. The purpose of this project is to continue to remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native plant recovery, reduce fire risk, and improve riparian ecosystem function. To date 50 acres have been treated. Post monitoring of Kanab Creek has observed the treated areas naturally recolonizing with dense stands of native willows. Numerous riparian-dependent bird species are also present in the area indicating restoration success of the project.

Scope of Work:

This contract would require personnel to remove tamarisk and Russian olive at various sites across a 10-acre area within the riparian zone (approximately 806 acres) along a 21.6-mile stretch of Kanab Creek from the Kaibab-Paiute Reservation/BLM boundary in the north to the confluence with Snake Gulch in the south, along short sections of side drainages, and re-retreatment of previously treated areas as deemed necessary. One or more of the following methods would be used for removal, depending on the age of individual stems, the density of stands, and the degree of intermingling with native vegetation.

Hand-pulling: Personnel could hand pull smaller shrubs and stems from the ground.

Hand tools, including picks, pulaskis, and shovels may be used to loosen the soil surrounding the larger plants and then the entire root system would be removed.

Basal-bark: This treatment will primarily be used on immature trees under one year in age and up to 3 meters tall. A Private contractor certified by the state of Arizona to apply pesticides will apply or supervise employees in applying Triclopyr - Garlon 3a (near water) or Garlon 4 (away from water on terraces) - using hand-applicators to the base of the tree at manufacturer-recommended rates. A BLM pesticide application record will be provided to the contractor and must be filled out for each day pesticide is applied and given back to the contracting officer’s representative.

Cut-stump: This treatment will primarily be used on mature stems. Shrubs and trees along the banks and on the terraces would be cut or lopped at or near ground level and herbicide will be applied within a few minutes of cutting. Crews will use chainsaws, hand saws and/or loppers. A Private contractor certified by the state of Arizona to apply pesticides will apply or supervise employees in applying Triclopyr - Garlon 3a (near water) or Garlon 4 (away from water on terraces) - using hand-applicators to the base of the tree at manufacturer-recommended rates. A BLM pesticide application record will be provided to the contractor and must be filled out for each day pesticide is applied and given back to the contracting officer’s representative.

Cut material will be scattered in those areas where only small amounts of material were treated.

In areas of heavier concentrations, cut material will be cut into smaller pieces to facilitate handling. The cut material will be piled along the edge of the riparian corridor, to be burned after it has cured by BLM firefighters.

The purpose of this project is to remove tamarisk and Russian olive shrubs and trees to facilitate native plant recovery, reduce fire risk, and improve riparian ecosystem function.

Special Requirements:

A high clearance vehicle will be needed to reach the access point of the canyon. Crews will hike into Kanab Creek carrying tools and supplies. Pack animals could be utilized to get supplies into the project area. If necessary, crews are allowed to camp at existing disturbed sites in or near the project area.

Project activities will be conducted in a manner that would minimize disturbance to existing native vegetation.

Any cultural (historic/prehistoric site or object) or paleontological resource (fossil remains of plants or animals) discovered during project activities will immediately be reported to the Arizona Strip Field Office Manager or his/her designee. All operations in the immediate area of the discovery will be suspended until written authorization to proceed is issued. An evaluation of the discovery will be made by a qualified archaeologist or paleontologist to determine appropriate actions to prevent the loss of significant cultural or scientifically important paleontological values.

If in connection with this work any human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects or objects of cultural patrimony as defined in the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (P.L. 101-601; 104 Stat. 3048; 25 U.S.C. 3001) are discovered, operations in the immediate area of the discovery would stop, the remains and objects would be protected, and the ASFO Manager would be immediately notified. The immediate area of the discovery would be protected until notified by the ASFO Manager that operations may resume.

Herbicide application will not occur within ¼ mile of an occupied California condor nest, roost, or release site.

Those involved with project activities will stop work and notify the Contracting Officer if California condors visit the worksite while project activities are underway. The Contracting Officer may issue a Stop Work Order if BLM wildlife biologists determine project activities would need to be halted, delayed, or modified in order to avoid any adverse effects to condors.

The project site and any camping or parking area would be cleaned up at the end of each day the work is being conducted (e.g., trash removed, scrap materials picked up) to minimize the likelihood of condors visiting the site. BLM staff may conduct site visits to the area to ensure adequate clean-up measures are taken.

Project activities will be limited to daylight hours to minimize impacts to wildlife.

Post-award Conference:

Project personnel will receive a detailed map of acres to be treated and briefed on the goals and objectives of the treatment, to include information on sensitive cultural and biological resources.

The briefing will include information on employee and visitor safety.

Period of Performance:

Treatment activities shall be scheduled to avoid peak breeding season for birds and will be completed between October 1st and March 31st. The Contractor will coordinate treatment periods with the Contractor Officer Representative (COR).

Period of Performance Starting Date End Date Base Year 10/1/2024 9/30/2025 Option Year 1 10/1/2025 9/30/2026 Option Year 2 10/1/2026 9/30/2027 Option Year 3 10/1/2027 9/30/2028 Option Year 4 10/1/2028 9/30/2029

Location:

The Kanab Creek riparian corridor flows through a steep-walled canyon for the entire length of the project area. No roads access the creek or cross the project area (see map 1).

The map of the clear water spring area shows locations of the parking and staging area, access trail, and the location of Clear Water Spring (see map 2).

Access to the project area is on a narrow trail that can only be accessed by foot or horseback.

Site Visit Information:

This site is open to the public, and offerors are encouraged to visit the site prior to submitting a quote. To arrange a site visit with a government escort, please email Rachel Henriques at rhenriques@blm.gov.

Deliverables:

Starting at Clear Water Spring working north and/or south, the Contractor will cut and treat salt cedar & Russian olive from 10 acres in Kanab Creek for the amount agreed upon in the contract.

Quality Assurance Plan:

The quality assurance plan is intended to measure the quality of goods and services purchased from the Contractor. To accomplish quality assurance the Government may utilize surveillance measures in order to ensure that the Contractor’s Performance is acceptable. The criteria for determining task performance is timeliness, work omissions, and any re-work needed.

Methods of Surveillance:

100% inspection: Monthly, weekly, or daily observations and recorded reports indicating satisfactory or unsatisfactory performance of tasks may be used.

Planned Sampling: The Government may utilize scheduled evaluations resulting in an assessment of the Contractor’s performance.

General Criteria for Tasks:

Work Omissions:

1. Major work omissions will result in an unsatisfactory rating. A major omission is a work requirement that if omitted or performed unsatisfactory would have a significant impact on the overall work requirement.

2. Minor work omissions do not have a significant effect on the work requirement, and may not result in an unsatisfactory rating.

Timeliness: Daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or one time tasks shall be completed in accordance with the delivery schedule or delivery date. Any failure to complete the tasks shall result in a non-satisfactory rating.

Re-work needed: The Contractor is allowed a reasonable time to perform any work that is identified as unsatisfactory or has not been performed. The Government reserves the right to allow another vendor to complete work identified as incomplete, and may charge for costs incurred to complete the work by another contractor.

Quality Assurance Evaluation: Scheduled and unscheduled surveillance reports may be utilized to record any observable, recordable defects of the Contractor’s performance. The resolution of any latent defects shall be in accordance with FAR Clause 52.246-04, Inspection of Services, Fixed Price, if included in the contract’s terms and conditions.

Level of surveillance: The level of surveillance shall be determined by the Contracting Officer’s Representative or project inspector. Increased or decreased surveillance of performance may be utilized in the performance of this contract.

Analysis of Results: A quality assurance evaluation shall summarize results from any observed and recorded defects in the Contractor’s performance.

If an evaluation indicates that the overall performance is unsatisfactory, the following actions may occur:

1. A corrective action plan to improve performance may be issued.

2. Increased surveillance.

3. Payment deductions. Deductions are not penalties, but the cost incurred by the

Government.

4. Continued unsatisfactory performance shall result in termination of the contract.

Greening/Recycling/Waste Prevention Efforts: In accordance with federal efforts to reduce waste, the contractor shall also document all efforts related to recycling and waste reduction.

Contractors shall provide products and services that include: alternatives to hazardous waste;

bio-based products; non-ozone depleting substances; recycled products; and, environmentally preferable products as defined by the EPA. Preferred products and categories are listed on the EPA’s web-site: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/procure/backgrnd.htm ).

In accordance with provided federal acquisition regulations, please consider the cost of using environmentally preferred products when quoting for this solicitation.

BLM Points of Contact:

Contracting Officer: Contracting Specialist:

Shawna Rogers-Bailey Rachel Henriques Bureau of Land Management Bureau of Land Management Arizona State Office Arizona State Office Email: srogersbailey@blm.gov Email: rhenriques@blm.gov

Map 1. Project Area.

Map 2. Clear Water Spring Area.