Attachment_2_-_Driveway_SOW.pdf

Driveway Common Goat Rx SOW

A. Introduction:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) seeks to utilize grazing goats as a management tool to improve the diversity of forage for wildlife, reduce noxious weeds, improve soil conditions, and reduce fuel loads on approximately 50 acres on the Driveway Common Allotment. The management goals for this project are listed in section C2.

B. Driveway Common Allotment Location:

The project area is in the Roaring Fork Valley between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale in Pitkin County. Unload and stage at the Fischer Creek east trailhead.

Driving directions from Glenwood Springs: Take SH 82 towards Carbondale/Aspen.

Turn left off 82 at Cattle Creek Rd (County Road 113) and head towards Cottonwood Pass.

Stay to the left at the Y with County Road 100. Take a left on County Road 115 and proceed to the BLM trailhead at top (or eastern portion) of Fisher Creek. The trailhead is not well marked and there is very little cell service in this area. The contractor can unload and stage at the Fischer Creek east trailhead. Coordinate with BLM staff for logistical questions.

Fisher Creek Map:

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Fisher_Creek_20170721.pdf

If access through private land is available, directions will be provided upon contract award.

Project Map: Appendix A.

C. Description of Work

1. Management Goals

I. Project Area

The primary targeted vegetation in all polygons is Gambel oak. Infestations of various noxious thistle species and houndstongue exist within the polygons and should be eaten by the goats.

Management Goals for utilizing goats on former agricultural fields

• Increase organic matter in soil through inputs of feces and urine from goats.

• Improve soil microbial content.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/Fisher_Creek_20170721.pdf

• Improve soil permeability and water retention by increasing the roughness of the surface.

• Improve soil water holding capacity by building organic matter in soil.

• Improve year-round forage quality for mule deer and elk by increasing palatable native perennial grass and forb abundance and diversity.

• Reduce fuel loads around ranch outbuildings and structures.

• Remove decadent forage on irrigated pastures to reduce fuels and improve irrigation efficiency.

• Control noxious weeds without utilizing herbicides.

D. Contractor Furnished Items

1. Contractor is responsible for the transport of grazing service animals to/from project area.

2. Contractor will provide a large enough herd of goats to achieve the desired management goals with a minimum amount of transport truck traffic to limit damage and soil compaction.

3. Contractor will manage grazing goats using a combination of working dogs, professional graziers, and temporary fencing.

4. Contractor will bring, maintain, and operate all equipment and supplies needed to treat 50 acres in the three treatment polygons (see map in Appendix A).

5. Contractor will control and be responsible for the working or herding dogs during herding operations. During periods of rest (when dogs aren’t being utilized to move livestock), the contractor will control or secure their dogs to prevent unwanted interactions with the public, their dogs and/or horses, and wildlife.

6. The contractor will provide equipment (tanks) for watering livestock and be responsible for suppling and administering water to livestock, dogs, and graziers. Due to drought conditions, water may not be available in the allotment. The contractor will be responsible for hauling water if needed.

7. Contractor is authorized to utilize a UTV or other vehicle to conduct fence setting, water livestock, etc.

8. The contractor will provide transportation for equipment, operators, and fuel to and from the site. The contractor will be responsible for the appropriate security when equipment is left on site.

9. Contractor is not authorized to create new trails or routes within the Project Area.

10. Contractor is responsible for pressure washing vehicles to remove mud and seed accumulations before entering the Project Area.

11. Contractor will make reasonable efforts to keep goats away from roads and trails in order to reduce the risk of accidents between livestock and public land users.

12. Contractor will report escaped goats and/or working dogs or accidents to BLM

Rangeland Management Specialist Kristy Wallner (970-366-1633) within 24 hours.

13. Contractor will have someone proficient in the English language present at all times when working.

14. Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Provisions: The government may require the contractor to curtail or cease operations should wildland fire danger approach critical levels. The contractor will be given 24 hours notice in the form of a suspend work order issued by the Contracting Officer.

15. Ignition of a wildland fire that threatens the project area may require the contractor to proceed with an emergency evacuation of the project area.

16. The contractor or their employees, upon documented permission from the CO/COR, may establish temporary work camps on public lands administered by the BLM.

Camps shall be kept clean and free of refuse. These camps may consist of mobile trailers, pickup campers, tent trailers, or tents. The contractor will be required to rehabilitate the camping area to the satisfaction of the CO/COR. Camps are subject to all fire restrictions placed by state, county or federal authorities.

17. The BLM must be informed of any objects or sites of cultural, paleontological, or scientific value such as historic or prehistoric resources, graves or grave markers, human remains, ruins, cabins, rock art, fossils, or artifacts. The objects shall not be damaged, destroyed, removed, moved, or disturbed. Any person who knowingly violates this may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment (Public Law 16-95; 16

U.S.C. 470).

18. Contractor must have the qualifications, experience, knowledge, capability and resources to manage a project of this size and scope within the requested timeframes and in the project area.

19. Contractor must be able to identify the weeds on the Garfield County Noxious Weed

List and have knowledge of their life cycles.

20. Contractor must provide proof of liability insurance with a minimum of 1 million dollars.

E. BLM Contributions/Guidelines

1. Pre-educate public land visitors about goat grazing project work using signs, press releases, and on-site presence speaking with public land visitors.

2. The BLM will provide a pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job.

3. The BLM will provide maps and descriptions of the Project Areas and will accompany the operator around the boundaries.

4. Coordinate project partners to assist with monitoring.

5. The BLM will provide representatives from the BLM CRVFO to act as a liaison between the contractor and the BLM Contracting Officer to implement the project and to ensure that the resource objectives of the project area met. The Contracting

Officer Representative (COR) and Project Inspector (PI) will provide regular on-site inspections.

a. COR: Hilary Boyd, Office: (970)876-9026, cell: (970)366-2891.

b. PI: Kristy Wallner, Office: (970)876-9023, cell: (970)366-1633.

F. Contract Period

1. August 21 to October15, 2021.

2. Consideration will be given to delays caused by weather and poor road conditions.

G. Prebid Tour

At this time, we do not plan to have an organized or hosted physical site visit. However, you are encouraged and expected to visit the site to ascertain the conditions. Call or email if you need additional information.

H. Invoicing and Payment:

Upon completion of the terms of this contract (as described in Section D) the contractor will submit an invoice with the following information:

• Company name

• Contract number

• Dates of contract performance

• Number of acres grazed and days worked

• Invoice must be submitted to www.ipp.gov and include an attachment http://www.ipp.gov/

Appendix A: Driveway Common Project Area Map