B08_Solicitation_140F1B25Q0008__Attachment_1_Scope_of_Work_(SOW__PWS__SOO)_12_17_24_Final.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Supply of Native Seed Mix for

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) 16 December 2024

1. General:

1.1. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (PO Box 111, Lakeview, OR 97630; hereafter Refuge) has a requirement for supply of a customized native seed mix.

1.2. The native seed mix will be aerially broadcast in late fall of 2025 and applied to areas sprayed with 4 oz/acre of imazapic the prior fall. This mix will bolster native plant species competition against invasive annual grasses in sagebrush-steppe habitat. The contractor for this requirement will be responsible for delivering the seeds as a supply end item rather than performing the services of broadcasting the seeds on the refuge which will be performed through other means.

2. Scope:

2.1. The contractor shall supply enough of the following native seed mixture to apply at 8 lbs.

Pure Live Seed (#PLS) per acre to 662 acres (a total of 5,296 pounds of seeds):

Mahogany Mountain Invasive Annual Grass Mix:

Species #PLS/acre California brome (Bromus carinatus) 1 Bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) 2 Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) 0.5 Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha) 0.5 Sandberg’s bluegrass (Poa secunda) 2 Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata)

Rice hulls 1 Mix Total: 8 #PLS/acre

(662 acres)

2.1.1. This mix shall be referred to as the “Mahogany Mountain IAG Mix, such as in labeling.

2.1.2. The “Mahogany Mountain IAG” mix is intended to be aerially broadcast applied and to provide competition against invasive annual grasses following herbicide treatment.

2.1.3. The targeted project areas are highly varied in elevation, aspect, slope, and associated vegetative cover types, though all are broadly sagebrush-steppe habitats.

The most common vegetative communities are Wyoming big sagebrush, low sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, perennial grassland, and greasewood-dominated types, with pockets of mountain mahogany on ridges.

2.1.4. The intended target areas for this mix lie between 5,800 – 6,800 feet above sea level elevation. The project areas have a generally overall southeast aspect; have rocky/basaltic and variably sandy loam/silk loam/fine sandy loam/clayey loam soils, ranging from extremely shallow on ridges and rock outcroppings to fairly deep in drainage and leeward (depositional) areas; and receives 10-14+ inches of precipitation per year on average.

2.1.5. The seed mix shall be supplied in individually labeled 1000 lb. capacity-sized bulk totes (or similar), for bulk loading of aircraft hopper(s).

2.2. Seed material shall meet the following requirements:

2.2.1. Native seed provided under this contract must be "source identified" and traceable to its origin. The seed source shall be as geographically close as possible to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, matching in geographic location, elevation, and climatic conditions. All plant materials shall be adapted to the specific conditions of the site to ensure successful germination and rehabilitation outcomes, as required by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Policy (601 FW 3). Seeds must originate from the aforementioned defined area and/or as quoted/proposed by the contractor with their submission and approved by the Government during selection for award, unless explicitly approved in writing by the Government Technical Coordinator(s) prior to procurement. Approval requests must include documented justification demonstrating the necessity of sourcing seed outside the specified area and evidence that the alternative seed will meet the performance and adaptation requirements of this contract. Substitutions or deviations from the specified seed source or adaptation requirements, to include deviations from the awardee’s initial Quote, are prohibited unless authorized in writing by the Government Technical Coordinator(s).

Unauthorized substitutions will constitute a breach of contract and may result in remediation.

2.2.2. Seed shall be certified “weed free”, indicating there are no noxious weeds in the seed.

2.2.3. Seed supply should be based on pure live seed (PLS) per pound, based upon purity and germination testing.

2.2.4. All species provided through this contract will be from the harvest year of 2025.

All seed will be required to have been tested within 120 days of sale for purity, germination, and noxious weed content. Seed certification tag without testing documentation will not be accepted. Inert matter shall not exceed 10%.

3. Deliverables:

3.1. Two weeks prior to delivery, contractor shall provide to the Technical POCs electronic copies of the results of purity, viability (germination and/or TZ test(s)), weed test (including all-states noxious weed analysis), “source identification”, and crop and weed test(s).

Information is required for all seed lots.

4. Delivery:

4.1. Seed is to be delivered to the Nevada Department of Wildlife at 705 E Fourth Street in

Winnemucca, NV 89445. Map coordinates are (40.97876° N, 117.72768° W).

4.1.1. Loading docks are not available. Seed shall be loaded to account for this unfortunate fact. This will also likely slow offloading, so the contractor and/or their delivery agent will need to accommodate within their schedule(s) the extra time needed to safely offload.

4.2. Seed delivery must occur on or after September 22, 2025, but no later than November 1, 2025. Actual delivery date(s) for seed will be dependent upon local weather conditions and availability of Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) personnel; contractor shall coordinate actual delivery dates with the Technical POCs and Delivery POC.

4.2.1. Seed shall be delivered between Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (PST), except Federal Holidays.

4.2.2. Contractor shall contact the Technical POCs and Delivery POC in writing, at least 48 hours prior to delivery to ensure staff and equipment (forklift) will be available to receive and inspect delivery.

4.2.3. Delivery shall not occur before the Contractor provides the deliverables identified in Section 3 above.

5. Evaluation and Acceptance:

5.1. Seed will be inspected and inventoried upon delivery by the Technical POC or their designee.

Government acceptance is contingent upon the following:

5.1.1. Results of purity, viability (germination and/or tetrazolium test(s)), weed test

(including all-states noxious weed analysis), and crop and weed test(s);

5.1.2. All delivered bags being individually labeled with the mix contained therein (see paragraph 2.1.1 of Statement of Work);

5.1.3. Delivered seed in dry, uncompromised bags; and

5.1.4. Completeness of order.

6. Technical Point of Contact (POC):

6.1. LP Mancini, Invasive Species Biologist, Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWR Complex, PO Box

111, Lakeview, OR 97630; Phone: 919-884-7999; Email: lindsey_mancini@fws.gov

6.2. Kevin Goldie, Habitat Biologist, Sheldon-Hart Mountain NWR Complex, PO Box 111, -

Lakeview, OR 97630; Phone: 541-407-0706; Email: kevin_goldie.fws.gov -

7. Delivery Point of Contact (POC):

7.1. Sam Hughes, Habitat Biologist, Nevada Department of Wildlife, 705 E Fourth Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445; Phone: 775-443-8546; Email: sahughes@ndow.org

8. Authority and Communication Protocols

The contact information for NDOW personnel is provided for reference only and to facilitate communication for situational awareness and planning purposes. NDOW personnel, including employees, agents, or representatives, are not authorized to provide directives to the Contractor regarding the performance of work under this contract. NDOW’s role is strictly advisory and supportive.

mailto:lindsey_mancini@fws.gov mailto:sahughes@ndow.org

All approvals, directives, and authorizations related to this contract must be issued exclusively by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Contracting Officer (CO) or the designated FWS Point of Contact (POC). Coordination of deliveries and associated authorizations must also be approved by FWS, with NDOW copied on communications for awareness and input. The Contractor must include FWS in all written correspondence with NDOW. While the Contractor may collaborate with NDOW on logistical matters such as delivery schedules, site access, or placement of seeds during unloading, formal approval of delivery dates, times, and any related instructions or substantive direction must come from the FWS CO or FWS POC.

NDOW does not have the authority to direct the Contractor to modify deliverables, adjust timelines, or perform tasks outside the scope of work (SOW) or contract requirements.

Failure to adhere to this chain of authority and taking direction from FWS may result in noncompliance with contract terms.

STATEMENT OF WORK