B08_Attachment_1_Performance_Work_Statement_Updated.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

MAGNOLIA RANCH TARGETED GRAZING FOR WEED REDUCTION

MOTHER LODE FIELD OFFICE, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA REGION

1. SUMMARY

1.1 Project Description

This project is to use targeted sheep grazing to control yellow starthistle and medusahead at Magnolia Ranch. The goal is to reduce the density of noxious weed species while increasing native vegetation. The area targeted for grazing is approximately 130 acres in size Grazing will take place in the spring and the summer.

Location:

Magnolia Ranch Recreation Area Mother Lode BLM Field Office CA-49N/Coloma Road Pilot Hill, CA 95664

1.2 Access to Project

Access is via CA-49 N from Coloma, CA in El Dorado County. Turn left (south) approximately 3.5 miles west of the Lotus Road/CA-49 N junction to enter the Magnolia Ranch Recreation Area parking lot. BLM will provide a key for the gate to the contractor upon award of contract.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance shall be for one (1) base year and four (4) options years. The active period of performance will be from May 1st-August 30 each year.

2. EXECUTION

2.1 Grazing Parameters: The BLM requires the following.

A. Approved Parameters

1. The contract period of performance is from May 1st through April 30th of each year. The contractor will be paid for a maximum of 3 months of the 12-month contract period.

2. Operator may propose to bring goats/sheep on earlier (or stay later), however, grazing services outside the prescribed grazing period shall be at no charge to the government and would be governed by a different written authorization if approved.

3. Herd size shall be a minimum of no less than 500 mature heads, fully trained sheep, depending on the state of vegetation/rainfall for that given year.

4. Grazing period shall not exceed 3 months beginning typically during end of May or depending on the state of the vegetation/rainfall for that given year.

5. Grazing Methods - Herd would be confined and controlled by temporary poly-wire electric fencing as needed to accomplish high-intensity, short-term grazing of invasive species.

6. Herd watering shall be the responsibility of the contractor. A reliable water truck will be necessary to transport water from the river/spring to the location of the sheep. Troughs will be placed on previously disturbed areas and not on undisturbed vegetation. The sheep will not be watered in areas of archaeological concern. These areas will be noted on a map which will be provided upon award of contract.

7. A full-time herder shall live on site to tend and control the sheep, livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) and herding dogs. Other duties would include setting up and removing temporary fencing, providing water to the sheep and responding to issues as needs arise.

8. Contractor shall provide self-contained mobile housing. BLM will provide mobile housing setup locations.

9. Unloading will take place in the Magnolia Ranch parking lot; loading may take place in either the Magnolia Ranch parking lot.

10. Herd will not bed down on archaeological sites.

11. BLM will allow contractor to access water from the South Fork American River. This location will be noted on a map provided upon award of contract.

12. Herding and livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) protection dogs shall have up to date vaccinations and will be under the control of the herder at all times. Interactions with the public will be minimal.

13. Prior to goats/sheep coming on site, the operator must ensure that livestock are cleansed with weed-free forage and/or grazed in an invasive weed-free, off-site area inspected and approved by the BLM for 5 days immediately prior to trucking or moving the livestock to the Monument. Weeds such as Poison Hemlock, Italian Thistle, Milk Thistle, Bull Thistle, Summer Mustard (Hirschfeldia incana), Tocalote (Centauria melitense), and Iceplant (Carpobrotus spp.) are examples of weeds that wouldn’t require cleansing if eaten prior to livestock arrival on Magnolia Ranch. Weeds such as Purple Star Thistle, Yellow Star Thistle, Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba), Harding Grass, French Broom, Spanish Broom, Scotch Broom, Stinkwort, Sahara Mustard (Brassica tournefortii), and Klamath Weed are examples of invasive weeds that would require cleansing prior to arrival at Magnolia Ranch.

14. Proof of insurance will be submitted to the BLM. The contractor shall maintain bodily insurance and property damage liability insurance for the Property with a responsible insurance carrier in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 for injury to any one person, $3,000,000.00 for injury arising from any one accident or occurrence, and $100,000.00 for damage to property and fire damage. Such policy shall carry the BLM as additional insured and shall be endorsed to provide 30 days written notice to BLM prior to cancellation, non-renewal or reduction in coverage. Such insurance may be carried under a blanket policy.

15. Unless otherwise authorized by BLM, LGDs would be leashed from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. LGDs are authorized to be off leash outside that timeframe if they pose no threat to people or domestic dogs. If one confirmed observation of LGDs off-leash occurs during prohibited hours, then a verbal warning will be given to the Contractor. If two confirmed observations or one confirmed attack on people or domestic dog occurs off leash during prohibited hours, the Contractor will remove the LGDs for the rest of the grazing season.

16. Contractor shall submit an actual use report at the end of sheep grazing period that describes the sheep stocking rate and duration of grazing.

17. The following shall not be conducted on the public lands without written consent of the Authorized Officer:

• range improvements

• firearm possession or use of propane-powered “zonn” or “pop” guns

• predator control programs,

• vegetation removal except as directed by Authorized Officer for weed abatement,

• soil excavation for any project,

• use of chemicals for medicinal treatment such as for hoof rot without approval by authorized office

18. All vehicles used by the operator and agents of the operator shall be properly registered and insured and operated by drivers licensed by the State of California to operate such machinery or equipment

19. Contractor shall not use agri-chemicals, including fertilizers, herbicides and biocides, or supplemental feeds without prior permission for their use from the BLM.

20. Field personnel are required to carry a cell phone so that BLM may contact field personnel to report lost goats/sheep or public complaints, discuss road conditions, etc.

BLM would appreciate notification by phone if livestock owner’s field personnel observed any illegal activity such as off-highway vehicle trespass, harassment of goats/sheep, possession of firearms, etc.

21. Abide by all public land laws and closures appropriate for the administration of the public lands at Magnolia Ranch

22. The BLM shall not be responsible for the loss of livestock due to death by any reason.

2.2 Contractor Use of Premises:

A. Sanitation: Contractor may use vault toilets at trailhead parking lot or shall provide portable sanitation facilities.

B. Only contractor personnel engaged in livestock operations on Magnolia Ranch are allowed on site for authorized purposes. Driving motor vehicles on roads, and foot travel off road and trail systems is limited to authorized purposes necessary for the provision of grazing services

2.3 Quality Assurance:

A. Prohibited Grazing: No woody species shall be consumed or damaged. Watering and bedding of sheep will not take place in areas with mapped archaeological areas. Non-treatment areas will be flagged or noted on the detailed map to be provided to the contractor upon award.

B. Primary forage material shall be invasive annual grasses, yellow starthistle and medusahead. Reduction in weed cover is the goal. The contractor and BLM will agree when an area is sufficiently grazed before moving herd to a new area.

C. BLM will monitor grazing effects on weeds by monitoring vegetation composition changes over time. BLM will also have repeat photopoint locations to measure changes to the vegetation over time.

3.0 Security and Administrative Matters

The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities and materials shall be secured.

Regular Work Hours:

The performance period established for this contract is based upon all work being conducted during any time of the day as needed for herd management.

Communications:

“Time” for communications received after 3:00pm, after 12:00 pm locally on Fridays, or after 12:00 pm locally prior to a holiday will not start until the next business day. All times are local Pacific Standard Time. The contractor will communicate weekly with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to demonstrate that services are being performed. A brief weekly report of the services and photos, if necessary, will be provided to the COR once weekly by Close of Business (COB) Friday and may include scheduling changes, access issues, facility damage notification, repair needs or graffiti removal notification.

Federal Holidays:

The following Federal Legal Holidays are observed:

Christmas Day

Fire Danger Season:

If the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) allows the Contractor to continue work during periods of declared fire danger or season, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable state laws relating to fire prevention and with all special conditions of work as directed by the COR.

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