B08_MOJA_310980___326192_Plant_Salvage_SOW_20250518.pdf

Mojave National Preserve (MOJA) Rehabilitate South Kelbaker and Kelso-Cima Roads Temporary Nursery Construction & Plant Salvage

PMIS #310980 & 326192

Scope of Services

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The Rehabilitation of South Kelbaker and Kelso-Cima Road project is located within the Mojave National Preserve (MOJA), located in the eastern Mojave Desert in southern California. This project will rehabilitate and improve safety on Kelso-Cima and South Kelbaker Roads along approximately 41 miles.

Park staff identified 531 plants withing the project area to be salvaged prior to construction and either immediately replanted outside the construction limits or to be transported to a temporary holding nursery. While activities outside the limits of disturbance are typically not within project funding, larger plant specimens that occur within the disturbance limits are unlikely to survive long-term in a temporary holding nursery. By immediately transplanting to an adjacent area outside the limits of disturbance, these plants will continue to provide valuable habitat and seed source to the project area. Additionally, as part of this project, a temporary holding nursery will need to be constructed. Plants to be salvaged include various species of cacti, yucca including Joshua Trees, and smoke trees.

Road construction is anticipated to begin winter 2025 or early 2026. Temporary nursery construction and salvage would need to be completed prior to road construction start and during the plants’ dormant season, October-December.

LOCATION: This project is located within Mojave National Preserve approximately 80 miles south of Las Vegas, NV, and 90 miles east of Barstow, CA. The project area includes Kelbaker Road from the intersection with I-40 to Kelso-Cima Road, and Kelso-Cima Road to the intersection with Cima Road. Total project area length is approximately 41 miles.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The period of performance for this contract is from the time of the award, estimated at August 2025, to December 31, 2025

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION: The work of this task order shall consist of the services described below for the referenced project. In this document, the project shall be referred to as Mojave Kelso-Cima/S. Kelbaker Plant Salvage (PMIS# 310980/326192).

CONTACTS FOR THIS TASK ORDER:

The Contracting Officer (CO): Zaira Lupidi, zaira_lupidi@nps.gov, (720) 830-7602

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED MATERIALS

PMIS #310980 & 326192- Georeferenced plant salvage maps; list of plants for salvage.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The information used in this contract is the property of the U.S.

government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

II. FUNDING LIMITATIONS

The Government obligation for performance of this task order beyond this phase is contingent upon the availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise for performance under this contract beyond the amount that has been authorized through the issuance of written task orders.

III. FIELD VERIFICATION & EXAMINATION OF SITE

All bidders are urged to visit the job site and examine existing conditions before submitting bids.

All bidders will be held to have the same knowledge concerning the site and the on-ground conditions as if they had inspected the job site.

IV. SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Federally Threatened and State-Listed Endangered Desert Tortoise Protection: Avoid injury to the federally listed desert tortoise or disturbance of its habitat outside the construction limits to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The contractor is required to provide a desert tortoise monitor during salvage/transplanting activities occurring between March 1 to October 31. Implement the below measures to protect the tortoise:

(a) All workers (transplant/salvage) will be required to attend a tortoise awareness training provided by NPS staff. Salvage workers will use the skills learned from the tortoise training and their best judgement to avoid impacts to desert tortoise and burrows.

(b) Designate equipment, material storage and stockpile areas in previously disturbed areas or other areas surveyed by an authorized NPS biologist as approved by the CO.

(c) Recontour all holes at the end of each workday such that there is an escape ramp for any wildlife that may fall in. Inspect holes throughout the workday and before recontouring to check for wildlife.

(d) Conduct daily inspections of the work area and around equipment before mobilizing to check for desert tortoises. This inspection shall be done by trained contractor staff or a desert tortoise biologist, if one is on site already.

(e) If a desert tortoise is encountered at any time in the work area, such as during inspections or while working, immediately suspend work in the area and notify the CO.

Allow the tortoise to move to a safe location on its own or request an authorized NPS biologist move the tortoise at least 350 feet outside the work area with approval from the

CO.

(f) Submit weekly reports of tortoise activity during the first month of salvage/transplanting and biweekly reports for remaining months. Each report will describe daily inspection results, observations of tortoises or their sign, methods used if tortoises were observed, GPS location, and specific details on any injured, dead, or moved tortoises.

V. SCOPE OF SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

Task 1: Temporary Nursery Construction

In order to maintain salvaged plants until road construction is complete and replanting can take place, the preserve requires the construction of a temporary holding nursery. The location of the nursery is near park housing at Kelso, near the junction of Kelso-Cima Road and Kelbaker Road (figure 1). The area identified is approximately 80 ft x 70 ft (figure 2 & 3). Additional space on the adjacent housing leach field is also available if needed (figure 3).

As part of this task, the preserve requires the contractor to provide a design and list of materials for the temporary nursery to COR for approval 14 days following award with the following parameters:

Temporary nursery shall consist of constructing raised planting beds wherein potted salvaged plants will be placed and the space around pots backfilled with sand. Sand beds shall be of a width (maximum 4 feet) and length that allows accessibility to all salvaged plants for watering by hose and of a height such that sand depth shall equal height of pot placed within.

Salvaged plants may be held up to three years following salvage, therefor materials must be of sufficient quality to withstand Mojave Desert conditions for at least three years.

The number and size of sand beds to be constructed must be sufficient to hold all plants identified in Task 3 (415 plants). There is an estimated 1,613 square feet of plants to be held.

Contractor is responsible for providing all materials for construction, including appropriate weed-free coarse sand that allows drainage.

Water to the temporary nursery will be provided by the preserve.

Vehicles are not to be driven onto the space allocated for the temporary nursery.

As an example of material, the preserve provides this as an option for modular planting beds: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oldcastle-Planter-Wall-Tan-Retaining-Wall-Block- Common-6-in-x-8-in-Actual-5050-in-x-7-75-in/1001156396

Figure 1. Project extents and location of temporary holding nursery

Figure 2, Designated space at Kelso Housing Area for temporary holding nursery

Temporary nursery location

Project End

Project Start

Figure 3. Overview of Kelso Housing Area showing temporary nursery area and overflow area

Task 2: Plant Salvage and Replant Immediately

Plant salvage, for this task order, is defined as the physical excavation and removal of plants occurring within the planned limits of disturbance of the Kelso-Cima/S. Kelbaker construction project. Excavating, or salvage, of plants will occur before construction activities.

The area where plants will be salvaged from is along South Kelbaker Road beginning approximately one mile north of Highway 40 and extends to the junction with Kelso-Cima Road.

From that junction, the project continues northwest along Kelso-Cima Road to the junction with Cima Road and continues 1.7 miles north on Cima Road. The soil types are generally deep, well drained sand, sandy loam, or loamy sand, with textures ranging from fine to gravel formed from mixed alluvial derived from granitic or igneous sources. The general vegetation types along the road corridor include creosote bush scrub, Joshua tree woodland, and cactus yucca scrub.

A survey of the limits of disturbance identified 531 plants appropriate for salvage. 116 (Table 1) of those are of size that were determined to be unlikely to survive in a nursery until construction is completed and so would require immediate replanting outside the disturbance limits. See included spreadsheet for a list of plant species, size, GPS coordinates, and replanting location.

Prior to salvage all plants will be flagged in the field by NPS staff and a georeferenced pdf map of plant locations will be provided to the contractor. All plants identified will be within the road construction limits of disturbance and as such will be accessible to equipment from Kelso-Cima

Road or South Kelbaker Road. All replanting locations will be within 25 feet of the road corridor and accessible to equipment.

Salvage and transplanting methods include:

Excavating a root zone around each plant that will be the appropriate dimension and size to maximize survivability of each plant. Successful extraction requires the safe removal of the aboveground plant with as-large-as-possible root ball incorporating intact soil.

o Small individuals (under 1 foot in height) may may be excavated with a shovel, with a soil and root mass extending outward three to 6 inches beyond the base of the plant. Plants larger than 1 foot in height will be prepared by excavations of a 12-inch-deep trench around the plant, approximately 12 inches from the base.

o Hand tools will be used to undercut the root mass to a point near where it can be detached. Lateral roots will be saved to the extent possible to help stabilize the transplant. Plants will be removed by hand or with hand tools and carts when possible. Larger plants may require use of heavy equipment, such as an excavator or tree spade, to lift them.

o The selected excavation method must cut roots in such a way as to maximize survivorship of the excavated plants. Utilize sharp cutting and digging implements that will not tear or pull roots but will cut all roots cleanly. Inspect root masses after removal. Trim back damaged roots.

o For Joshua Tree salvage, follow guidelines set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Root balls must be excavated in an intact condition. If soils are dry this may require the contractor to pre-water the excavation zone to moisten soil before digging. Soil must be moist but not saturated. The purpose of watering is to keep soil in the root ball intact during the digging process.

Water Joshua trees one-to-two weeks prior to being salvaged to ensure they are well hydrated prior to being uprooted.

Do not dig plants in excessively wet soil conditions.

Materials may be excavated by hand, with small equipment, or tree spades.

If to be transported, securely place excavated root mass and associated dirt in a container or ball and burlap such that damage to all roots including small and fine roots is minimized and the root and soil mass remains together. Bare root planting is not acceptable.

Transplant holes will be prepared first and several shovel-loads of surface soil from around each target plant base will be carefully extracted and mixed in the planting hole to promote native mycorrhizal soil symbionts to be in close proximity to the root structure.

These holes will then be filled with water and allowed to drain.

Cardinal orientation of target plant must be maintained after transplanting. At time of salvage note the northern face of the plant and ensure it is oriented in the same direction after transplanting. Provide proposed temporary marking method prior to beginning salvage to the COR for approval.

Transplanting of the extracted plants will take place immediately, into the freshly wetted receiving hole. Soil surface will be lightly tamped down.

The selected excavation method must minimize impacts to surrounding soils and vegetation and leave surrounding roads and parking area surfaces clean and unimpacted.

It is not necessary to backfill holes, however sides must be contoured as described in Special Construction Requirements to allow wildlife an escape route if they fall in.

Following placement in excavated holes all materials must be deep watered to remove air pockets and completely cover exposed roots in the planting hole with soil.

If chollas fragment during salvage, plant the root ball and scatter stems adjacent to the salvaged plant.

Table 1. Plants to salvage and transplant outside disturbance limits. See included spreadsheet for full list and details of each individual plant.

Plant Type Height Class Estimated Root Ball Diameter (Inches)

Quantity

Cacti Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 36-48 22 Cacti Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 36-60 35 Cacti Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 48-60 6 Smoke Tree Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 18-24 3 Smoke Tree Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 24-42 7 Joshua Tree Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 18-24 3 Joshua Tree Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 18-36 6 Joshua Tree Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 24-36 3 Joshua Tree Height Class 6 (10.1-17 ft) 36-48 4 Joshua Tree Height Class 7 (20-25 ft) 48-60 3 Other Yucca Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 18-36 9 Other Yucca Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 24-36 12 Other Yucca Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 24-36 2 Other Yucca Height Class 6 (10.1-17 ft) 36-48 1

Task 3: Plant Salvage and Transport to Temporary Nursery

Location of this task is the same as Task 2. Of the 531 plants identified in the limits of disturbance appropriate for salvage, 415 are of a size determined likely to survive in a nursery until construction completion and subsequent replanting (table 2). This task involves salvaging those plants and transporting to the temporary holding nursery constructed in Task 1.

Salvage and transporting methods include:

Excavating a root zone around each plant that will be the appropriate dimension and size to maximize survivability of each plant. Successful extraction requires the safe removal of the aboveground plant with as-large-as-possible root ball incorporating intact soil.

o Small individuals (under 1 foot in height) may may be excavated with a shovel, with a soil and root mass extending outward three to 6 inches beyond the base of the plant. Plants larger than 1 foot in height will have a soil and root mass extending approximately 12 inches from base and at least 12 inches deep.

o Hand tools will be used to undercut the root mass to a point near where it can be detached. Lateral roots will be saved to the extent possible to help stabilize the transplant. Plants will be removed by hand or with hand tools and carts when possible. Larger plants may require use of small equipment to lift them.

o The selected excavation method must cut roots in such a way as to maximize survivorship of the excavated plants. Utilize sharp cutting and digging implements that will not tear or pull roots but will cut all roots cleanly. Inspect root masses after removal. Trim back damaged roots.

Root balls must be excavated in an intact condition. If soils are dry this may require the contractor to pre-water the excavation zone to moisten soil before digging. Soil must be moist but not saturated. The purpose of watering is to keep soil in the root ball intact during the digging process.

Water Joshua trees one-to-two weeks prior to being salvaged to ensure they are well hydrated prior to being uprooted.

Do not dig plants in excessively wet soil conditions.

Materials may be excavated by hand, with small equipment, or tree spades.

Securely place excavated root mass and associated dirt in an appropriately sized container such that damage to all roots including small and fine roots is minimized.

Cardinal orientation of target plant must be maintained. At time of salvage note the northern face of the plant and mark container to identify the northern face.

Transport plants to the holding nursery in a manner that ensures healthy plants. All plants shall be watered prior to transportation and covered to avoid wind and sun damage for the trip duration.

Pots shall be placed in beds in the holding nursery and backfilled with sand around pots so that no more than two inches of pot extends above the sand.

The selected excavation method must minimize impacts to surrounding soils and vegetation and leave surrounding roads and parking area surfaces unimpacted.

It is not necessary to backfill holes, however sides must be contoured as described in Special Construction Requirements to allow wildlife an escape route if they fall in.

If chollas fragment during salvage, pot the root ball and scatter stems outside the limits of disturbance.

Table 2. Plants to salvage transport to temporary nursery. See included spreadsheet for full list and details of each plant.

Plant Type Height Class Estimated Root Ball Size (Inches) Quantity

Cacti Height Class 1 (0.25-1 ft) 12-36 130 Cacti Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 12-36 208 Cacti Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 36-60 1 Smoke Tree Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 18-24 3 Joshua Tree Height Class 1 (0.25-1 ft) 12-18 11 Joshua Tree Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 12-24 24 Joshua Tree Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 12-24 8 Joshua Tree Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 12-24 3 Joshua Tree Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 18-24 2 Other Yucca Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 18-24 16 Other Yucca Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 18-24 7 Other Yucca Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 18-24 2

Task 4: Traffic Control

Most salvage operations will occur roadside or within 10 feet of the road corridor, save where road realignment is to occur. The road is a two-lane road with one lane of travel in each direction and a speed limit of 55 mph. The contractor is responsible for providing signs, flaggers, and traffic control.

Task 5: Water Salvaged Plants

Two (2) trips shall be included within this BPA Call order to water salvaged plants in the holding nursery and those plants transplanted outside the disturbance limits. Trips will occur beginning one month after salvage/transplanting until winter rains begin, approximately January, at a rate of 1 trip per month. Trip duration shall be expected to be one working days minimum for each trip. The Contractor shall be expected to entirely water 531 plants. All work is expected to be performed by hand/foot or with a trunk-mounted tank or water buffalo. A water spigot is available at the temporary nursery location.

VI. QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality Standard shall be in accordance with the base contract, commercial practices and as described in this task order. Task orders will be issued from the National Park Service Contracting division and must be executed by signature by both parties before work begins. Submit proposed schedule and plans to the COR four (4) weeks after the award is issued. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to request clarification of the work requested in the Task Order if it is not completely clear to the Contractor. The Contractor shall provide copies of all required items to the COR in a reasonable and timely manner.

1. Safety – The Contractor will understand that its employees will be working alongside, near, and in some cases on the road. Proper safety protocol will be the responsibility of the Contractor. This includes, but is not limited to, proper signage for oncoming traffic and safety attire for employees (e.g. orange vests, traffic cones, and flags).

2. Quality Assurance –The Contractor will be responsible for its workers at all times. The NPS expects full compliance with National Park Service regulations and the quality standards listed in this BPA Call order. The Contractor is to assume this responsibility.

3. Site Housekeeping –The Contractor is expected to keep a clean job site. All debris is expected to be removed from the jobsite prior to departure each day.

4. General Damage – The Contractor will be held accountable for any damage to government property. This includes, but is not limited to existing vegetation, paving surfaces, building structures, and plants.

5. Water – Water is available at the project site, either at the spigot at the temporary nursery or at the well at Kelso. The well has an access valve for a 1.5” firehose and NPS staff will be available to assist with hookup. Provide an airgap when filling tanks to prevent backflow. Do not fill from hydrants.

6. Reporting – All GIS data and reporting logs shall be provided to the COR after initial salvage and transplanting or transportation to the holding nursery. Include species and quantities in the report.

7. Equipment Cleaning – Be advised that NPS has very high equipment cleaning standards.

NPS reserves the right to reject equipment that is dirty and could potentially spread unwanted substances within the park. The following equipment and vehicle cleaning standards apply:

Contractor will notify the CO a minimum of 72 hours prior to the entry of vehicles and equipment.

All vehicles, equipment (including rental), and tools will be inspected before their entry into a National Park Site for mud, weeds, exotic seeds, and other unwanted substances.

Power-wash all equipment before loading for transport and entry into the park.

Conduct secondary inspection before off-loading equipment. At no time will equipment cleaning be allowed within the park boundaries.

Contractor shall be responsible for providing labor, equipment, and materials necessary to clean their own equipment.

Do not operate or park any vehicles or equipment off the paved roadway except in approved areas.

8. Promote a green jobsite – Wherever possible the contractor is encouraged to recycle all unused material in an offsite location. The contractor shall not idle vehicles unnecessarily.

VII. PROJECT CLOSEOUT

Final walk-through to be completed by the COR and/or Park Representative. A punch list for the contractor will be identified at this time and is expected to be completed in a timely matter.

Final inspection and acceptance by the Park Representative is to occur during a work week (weekend acceptance is not permitted).

The contractor awarded this project is obligated to complete the tasks issued in this task order to the standards specified.

Final Documentation is due four (4) weeks following project closeout – Provide a digital copy of the documentation to: alisa_simonoff-smith@nps.gov.

VIII. DELIVERABLES AND SCHEDULE

Submit proposed nursery plan two (2) weeks following award.

Submit proposed schedule and safety plan four (4) weeks following award.

Notify the CO 14 days prior to beginning work and 7 days before adding staff so orientations can be scheduled.

Submit documentation to COR four weeks following on-site project completion.

No weekend or night work is allowed without prior CO authorization.

Task 1: Temporary Nursery Construction – Complete prior to Task 3 plant salvage.

Task 2: Plant Salvage and Replant Immediately – 116 Plants. Begin no earlier than October 2025, complete by December 19, 2025.

Task 3: Plant Salvage and Transport to Temporary Nursery – 415 Plants; Begin no earlier than October 2025, complete by December 19, 2025.

Task 4: Water Salvage Plants – Up to 531 plants; 2 trips, monthly, November & December 2025.

Deliverable Date Submit Nursery Plan 2 weeks after contract award Submit Proposed Schedule, Safety Plan The plan at a minimum shall address employee safety, hospital access, equipment access, a plan if equipment should be impacted (including a fuel spill plan).

4 weeks after contract award

Submit Work Plan 4 weeks prior to implementation Coordinate Delivery of Materials 2 weeks prior to implementation Final Documentation 4 weeks following on site project completion

IX. PRICING TABLE

Task # TASK DESCRIPTION QTY UNIT Cost Per Unit

TOTAL

COST

1. TEMPORARY NURSERY CONSTRUCTION 1 Lump $ $

2. PLANT SALVAGE AND TRANSPLANT

CACTI

Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 22 Ea $ $ Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 35 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 6 Ea $ $

SMOKE TREE

Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 3 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 7 Ea $ $

JOSHUA TREE

Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 3 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 6 Ea $ $ Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 3 Ea $ $ Height Class 6 (10.1-17 ft) 4 Ea $ $ Height Class 7 (20-25 ft) 3 Ea $ $

OTHER YUCCA

Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 9 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 12 Ea $ $ Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 2 Ea $ $ Height Class 6 (10.1-17 ft) 1 Ea $ $

3. PLANT SALVAGE AND TRANSPORT TO NURSERY

CACTI

Height Class 1 (0.25-1 ft) 130 Ea $ $ Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 208 Ea $ $ Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 1 Ea $ $

SMOKE TREE

Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 3 Ea $ $

JOSHUA TREE

Height Class 1 (0.25-1 ft) 11 Ea $ $ Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 24 Ea $ $ Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 8 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 3 Ea $ $ Height Class 5 (7.1-10 ft) 2 Ea $ $

OTHER YUCCA

Height Class 2 (1.1-3 ft) 16 Ea $ $ Height Class 3 (3.1-5 ft) 7 Ea $ $ Height Class 4 (5.1-7 ft) 2 Ea $ $

4. Traffic Control 1 Lump $ $

5. Watering Salvaged Plants 2 Trip $ $

MOBILIZATON 1 LUMP $ $

TOTAL $

X. FEE AND PAYMENT

The Contractor shall be paid for travel and lodging in accordance with the base contract, DSC- 14, TRAVEL and the contractor’s base and task order price proposal. Travel costs and all other direct costs shall be included in the price for this task order.

Payment shall not be made in excess of the ceiling price unless a revision in the ceiling price is authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer.

(End of Statement of Work)