Auburn University Request for Proposal

Protect and Restore Endangered Species Sites, Fort Bragg, NC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Section I: Request for Proposal 2

Statement of Purpose 2 Scope of Work 2

1. General 2

1.1. Description of Services/Introduction 2

1.2. Background 2

1.3. Objectives 2

1.4. Scope 2

1.5. Period of Performance 2

1.6. General Information 2

2. Definitions and Acronyms 6

2.1. Definitions 6

2.2. Acronyms 7

3. Government Furnished Items and Services 8

3.1. General 8

4. Service Provider Furnished Items and Responsibilities 8

4.1. General 8

5. Specific Tasks 8

5.1. Task 1. Project Management 8

5.3. Task 2. Endangered Species Habitat Restoration 9

5.4. Task 3. Endangered Species Protection from Prescribed Fire 10 TECHNCIAL EXHIBIT 1: Performance Requirements 12 TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2: Deliverables Schedule 14 Section II: Instructions to Proposers 15 Section III: Form of Proposal 16 Section IV: Evaluation Criteria 17 ATTACHMENT A –Pricing Sheet 19

ATTACHMENT B – INSURRANCE ADDENDUM 20

Section I. Request for Proposal

Statement of Purpose

Auburn University (AU) is seeking to contract with a service provider capable of providing protection and restoration services for endangered species sites in support to the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Scope of work

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services agreement to provide protection and restoration services for endangered species sites at Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, NC. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over the service providers performing the services herein. Such service providers shall be accountable solely to Auburn who, in turn, is responsible to the Government.

1.1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/INTRODUCTION: The service provider shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform protection and restoration services for endangered species sites as defined in this Scope of Work (SOW) except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services. The service provider shall perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement and the standards in this

SOW.

1.2. BACKGROUND: Fort Bragg Environmental Division is requirement to protect sites and restore habitat for endangered species in and around Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, North Carolina. The service provider shall be responsible for endangered species protection and restoration activities within approximately 130,000 acres of Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall.

1.3. OBJECTIVES: The service provider shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1.3.1. The service provider shall rake around assigned RCW cavity trees. An estimated 859 RCW cavity trees (± 10%) shall be protected prior to prescribed fire operations conducted by the Government. The service provider shall report completed tasks IAW Part 7, Technical Exhibit 2, Task 3.

1.3.2. The service provider shall conduct midstory restoration, 175 acres in total, within assigned RCW habitat and/or rare plant sites. The service provider shall report completed tasks IAW Part 7, Technical Exhibit 2, Task 2.

1.4. SCOPE: Fort Bragg Environmental Division has a requirement to protect sites and restore habitat for endangered species in and around Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall, North Carolina. The service provider shall be responsible for endangered species protection and restoration activities within approximately 130,000 acres of Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall. The project will facilitate compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), RCW Army Mgmt. Guidelines, RCW Recovery Plan, Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), Installation Wildland Fire Management Plan (IWFMP) and the Biological Opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1990). Endangered Species Branch will facilitate and monitor the contract locally as the Technical Representative (TR).

1.5. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027

1.6. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.6.1. Place of performance: The project shall take place on Fort Bragg & Camp Mackall, NC military installations. Both installations are in an area in the upper coastal plain of North Carolina known.

as the Sandhills. Counties represented include Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Richmond, Scotland, and Moore.

1.6.2. Training areas: Most of Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall lands consist of active training areas where military activities may affect work schedules. Therefore, weekend work is sometimes necessary. Additionally, the service provider project manager (PM) and all employees or subcontractor employees shall comply with all applicable provisions of Fort Bragg Regulation 350-6, Range Operations. Compliance with range safety procedures is a material part of any work performed under this contract. Work scheduling shall defer to training needs, and all entry into training areas to perform work shall be scheduled with Range Control. ALL

OPERATIONS IN TRAINING AREAS WILL BE SUBJECT TO CHANGES OR TERMINATION

AT THE DIRECTION OF RANGE CONTROL OR THE TR.

1.6.3. Work hours: Normal working hours shall be from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On occasion, the beginning and ending hours of the workday may be temporarily adjusted due to mission requirements, in coordination with the TR. The service provider shall be reachable by telephone after 6 p.m. during extended periods of coordinated absences. The service provider will not be held to traditional workweek of Monday through Friday.

1.6.3.1. Activities conducted shall be compatible with the military mission and shall not disrupt training/maneuvering missions.

1.6.3.2. Travel off maintained firebreaks, trails, and roads will only be allowed to perform fire protection activities.

1.6.3.3. Midstory removal activities in Red cockaded woodpecker (RCW) clusters are not allowed during the breeding season (April 15-July 31).

1.6.3.4. Parking in endangered plant sites is not allowed.

1.6.3.5. Any habitat work within federally endangered plant sites shall be conducted during the dormant season (1 November to March 31). No vehicles permitted within federally endangered plant sites, but foot traffic is allowed.

1.6.3.6. The service provider will not be permitted in impact areas and danger areas, without both Endangered Species Branch (ESB) personnel and qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) escorts coordinated by

ESB.

1.6.3.7. AU or ESB may have a representative present during any contract activity that is conducted on Fort Bragg or Camp Mackall. The service provider shall provide names of field personnel and vehicle descriptions/tag numbers that will be involved in the accomplishment of tasks prior to personnel entering the field.

1.6.4. Quality Control: Quality Control is the responsibility of Auburn and the service provider. The service provider is responsible for the delivery of quality services/supplies to the Government.

1.6.4.1. Quality Control Program: The Government is committed to a highly interactive relationship between quality control by the service provider and quality assurance by the government recipient of services. This relationship shall be achieved through an effective Prevention Based Quality Control Program dedicated to ensuring the best possible products and services to end users. The service provider shall provide their final written Quality Control Plan (QCP) within 10 days of period of performance start date to AU and TR.

1.6.4.2. The service provider’s quality program shall demonstrate its prevention-based outlook by meeting the objectives stated in the SOW throughout all areas of performance. The QCP shall be developed to specify the service provider’s responsibility for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract.

The QCP, at minimum, shall address continuous process improvement; procedures for scheduling, conducting and documentation of inspection; discrepancy identification and correction; corrective action procedures to include procedures for addressing AU and Government discovered non-conformances; procedures for root cause analysis to identify the root cause and root cause corrective action to prevent re-occurrence of discrepancies; procedures for trend analysis; procedures for collecting and addressing customer feedback/complaints.

1.6.4.3. Upon request from AU or TR, the service provider shall provide all reports generated because of the service provider’s quality control efforts. This shall include any summary information used to track quality control, including any charts/graphs.

1.6.5. Quality Assurance: AU and the Government will evaluate the service provider’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the service provider has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.6. Recognized Holidays: The service provider shall not be required to perform services on recognized federal holidays. The Government recognizes the following list of holidays.

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luterh King Jr’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth Holiday Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6.7. Security Requirements: Fort Bragg is a closed installation with access restrictions. All vehicles and personnel are subject to search and seizure of contraband and/or unauthorized Government property. Service provider vehicles, service provider personnel, and their personal property shall be subject to searches upon entering or leaving the Installation.

1.6.7.1. Automated Installation Entry (AIE): Service provider personnel shall gain access to Fort Bragg through the Posts Automated Installation Entry (AIE) Badge system. To register and receive an AIE access control badge, Auburn must complete and submit the Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) Form 118 to the IGSA Technical Representative (TR). Once submitted a NCIC (National Crime Information Center) Level III background check will be completed on each employee requesting access. No employees with prior felonies or three misdemeanors, excluding routine traffic violations, within the past five years will be granted access to

Fort Bragg. All service personnel shall be U.S. citizens and legal to work in the United States. Sponsorship is required for all non-Department of War affiliated persons. The applications (DES Form 118) will be turned into the All-American Visitor Control Center for processing and approval.

1.6.8. Anti-Terrorism Program: The service provider shall allow the Government to conduct periodic inspections to ensure adherence to access control procedures in accordance with DOD Anti-Terrorism Program. 5152.209-4000 DOD LEVEL I ANTI-TERRORISM (AT) STANDARDS (FEB 2009).

1.6.9. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The service provider shall attend any post award conference convened by AU and TR. The TR will apprise AU and the service provider of how the Government views their performance and the service provider will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.10. Technical Representative (TR): The TR is a government employee who is responsible for monitoring the service provider’s progress in fulfilling the technical requirements specified in the contract. The TR maintains administration records, approves invoices, performs quarterly monitoring reports to confirm the service provider is meeting the terms and conditions under the contract.

1.6.11. Key Personnel: The following are considered key personnel by the Government: The service provider shall provide a Program Manager (PM) who shall be responsible for the performance of the work under this contract. The name of this person, and an Alternate PM (APM), who shall act for the service provider when the PM is absent, shall be designated in the proposal. The PM or APM shall have full authority to act for the service provider on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The PM or APM shall be available between the hours of 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.6.11.1. Qualifications of key personnel:

1.6.11.1.1. Project Manager (PM): The PM must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English. The PM shall be able to work and make task-related decisions as necessary. The PM will provide supervision and coordination of daily operations and assure tasks are completed within scope. At minimum, the PM is responsible for planning daily activities, proactively monitoring task progress, applying quality control resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action, and corresponding with TR. If applicable, the PM should be prepared to work in place of field technicians to complete daily assigned tasks.

The PM shall have completed OSHA 30 Hour Construction Safety training, have five years of experience as a Site Safety and Health Officer, and be knowledgeable of ANSI A300, ANSI/SIA A92.2, and EM 385-1-1 Safety Manual requirements. The PM must be capable of identifying common tree and shrub species in the North Carolina sandhills. The PM must be familiar with ecological forestry principles, the USFWS RCW Habitat Guidelines, and have demonstrated experience working in southeastern pine forests. The PM shall have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience participating in and overseeing forestry and wildlife habitat management treatments and services. Additionally, the Site Supervisor shall have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience supervising at least two of the following:

• Wildlife management technicians/specialists

• Herbicide applicators

• Forestry technicians

1.6.11.1.2. Alternate Project Manager (APM): The APM must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English. The APM shall be able to work and make task-related decisions as necessary. The PM shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience participating in and overseeing forestry and wildlife habitat management treatments and services. The APM must be capable of identifying common tree and shrub species in the North Carolina sandhills. The PM must be familiar with ecological forestry principles, the USFWS RCW Habitat Guidelines, and have demonstrated experience working in southeastern pine forests.

1.6.11.1.3. Field Technical Personnel: All field technicians must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English. All field technicians shall be able to work and make task-related decisions as necessary. The field technicians must be capable of identifying common tree and shrub species in the North Carolina sandhills.

1.6.12. Service Provider Personnel: All service provider personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their status is not obvious to third parties, are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by the service provider are suitably marked as service provider products or that service provider participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.12.1. Service provider personnel shall wear distinctive clothing bearing the company’s name or wear a badge, which contains the company’s name. The employee’s name shall be clearly always displayed while working. The service provider personnel shall be responsible for the conduct and appearance of his/her employees while working.

1.6.12.2. The service provider shall submit initial roster to the TR within ten (10) calendar days of the period of performance start date.

1.6.12.3. Service provider personnel appearance and performance: It is essential that all service provider personnel meet the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity. The service provider shall ensure their personnel do not perform work under the influence of alcohol, illegal prescribed drugs, or any other incapacitating agents. Service provider personnel shall be neatly groomed and dressed in functional attire, proper for tasks listed in this SOW. If service provider personnel are found to violate these provisions, AU or TR retains the right to request the service provider remove personnel from this contract.

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the SOW.

2.1.2. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-physical things, such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.3. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP) OR GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (GP). Property in the possession of or directly acquired by the Government and subsequently made available to Auburn.

2.1.4. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of government property.

2.1.5. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. System established by Auburn that is used to manage GFP/GFE in its possession to control, use, preserve, protect, repair, and maintain.

2.1.6. QUALITY ASSURANCE. A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to provide confidence that adequate technical requirements are established; products and services conform to established technical requirements; and satisfactory performance is achieved. For the purposes of this document, quality assurance refers to actions by the Government.

2.1.7. WORKDAY. The length of time during the day on which the service provider provides services, in accordance with the contract.

2.1.8. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the service provider to ensure that the quality of a product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.9. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with the service provider.

2.1.10. CAVITY TREE. A tree containing one or more active or inactive RCW cavities or cavity starts.

2.1.11. CLUSTER. The aggregate area encompassing cavity trees (plus a 200ft buffer zone) occupied or formerly occupied by an RCW group.

2.1.12. BUFFER TREE. A tree with a sign posted on it that says you are 200 feet from a cavity tree, which represents the boundary of the cluster.

2.1.13. ENDANGERED SPECIES. The following federally endangered species are found on Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall: Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Michaux’s sumac (Rhus michauxii), Rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulifolia), and American chaffseed (Schwalbea Americana).

2.1.14. SITES. Synonymous with endangered species sites and refers to a static location on the ground such as a RCW cavity tree, cluster of cavity trees, a population of endangered plants, etc.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

AIE Automated Installation Entry AR Army Regulation CT Compensation Time DA Department of the Army DES Directorate of Emergency Services DoW Department of War ESB Endangered Species Branch HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 IGSA Intergovernmental Support Agreement INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan NCIC National Crime Information Center ODC Other Direct Costs OT Overtime

POC Point of Contact POV Privately Owned Vehicles PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Plan RCW Red Cockaded Woodpecker TE Technical Exhibit TR Technical Representative TSI Timber Stand Improvements UTM Universal Transverse Mercator

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

3.1. GENERAL: The Government will furnish for the service providers use the following: 1) a map of Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall showing roads and firebreaks, labeled RCW clusters (Scale 1:55,000), and locations of endangered plant sites, 2) a map and list of areas that will be prescribed burned, and RCW cavity/start trees within prescribed fire plan, 3) a map and list of areas requiring habitat restoration, Motorola Radio (loaned out from Endangered Species Branch), Annual Prescribed Fire Plan .

4. SERVICE PROVIDER-FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITES

4.1. GENERAL: The service provider shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities services, and equipment repairs required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this SOW. Work vehicles shall be 4x4 pickup trucks. Around RCW cavity/start trees, equipment that can be used for midstory tree and brush removal shall be limited to chainsaws, handheld brush cutters, and other hand tools. Any other equipment must be approved, by the TR, prior to use. There shall be no intermittent use of any liquids, such as but not limited to fuel or pesticides.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1. TASK 1. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Success of the project will require careful coordination of project activities to ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed of the project status, existing or potential problems, and any changes required to prudently manage the project.

5.1.1. Within 15 calendar days of the period of performance start date, the service provider shall submit a list of project milestones and projected date of completion for each milestone (in the form of a Gantt Chart or a Work Breakdown Structure). The service provider shall identify the internal methods that will be used for schedule control.

5.1.2. Prior to field activities, the service provider shall prepare and submit Draft and Final versions of a Work Plan and an Accident Prevention Plan (APP) and an UXO-Avoidance Abbreviated Accident Prevention Plan (UAAPP). The APP/UAAPP shall be suitable for use as a “stand alone” document; however, the APP/UAAPP need not go to full detail on activities or procedures, i.e., as found in the Work Plan.

5.1.3. Certifications required by the APP/UAAPPs are to be consolidated in a separate addendum. Example certifications may include but are not limited to professional certifications, OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety course, OSHA/EM 385-1-1 required medical clearances, USWF permit(s)/training, North Carolina certifications (pesticide applicators, controlled burn, etc.,), and any other permits, licenses, and documentation needed to support the tasks in this performance work statement.

5.1.4. The service provider shall prepare the work plan in accordance with the Uniform Federal Policy for Quality Assurance Project Plans (UFP-QAPP). The UFP-QAPP Manual and associated tools may be found online at www.epa.gov/fedfac/documents/qualityassurance.htm. The Work Plan and APP/UAAPP shall also be prepared in accordance with operational and technical requirements in Sections 5 and 6. The Work Plan will include at a minimum the following worksheets (with all others included but referred to as non-applicable); not applicable worksheets must include a justification.

• QAPP Worksheet #1 & #2 Title and Approval Page

• QAPP Worksheet #3 & #5 Project Organization and QAPP Distribution

• QAPP Worksheet #6 Communication Pathways

• QAPP Worksheet #4, #7, & #8 Personnel Qualifications and Sign-Off Sheet

• QAPP Worksheet #14/16 Project Tasks and Schedule

• QAPP Worksheet #21 Field SOPs

• QAPP Worksheet #22 Field Equipment Calibration, Maintenance, Testing, and Inspection

5.1.5. Monthly Progress Reports: The service provider shall submit monthly progress reports on or before the 10th of each month throughout the period of performance. The progress reports shall, at minimum, describe progress on each task completed during the month and the percentage completion of each task. The progress reports shall also include photographs of representative before and after conditions for both the restoration and protection tasks. Each report shall address any problems encountered in completing the various tasks and any changes in scope or direction from the original proposal, including schedule impacts. The schedule submitted with the monthly reports shall address detailed program milestones and reflect the current project status. If requested, a copy of all field notes, field purge logs, and field sampling logs shall be submitted within 30 days of the completion of the field sampling.

5.1.6. Kick-off meeting: An in-person kick-off meeting shall be held within 30 calendar days of the period of performance start date in coordination with AU and TR. At minimum, the PM and APM must be present at the kick-off meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to make an introduction of key personnel, arrange access to the facilities and to arrange for the transfer of information and maps that shall be provided by the Government. A second site visit meeting with the service provider and TRl can be scheduled to facilitate with project planning. After the contract commences, the service provider shall meet twice a month with the TR to discuss the status of tasks and planning.

5.1.6. Invoicing: AU cannot pay the service provider for services not provided to the Government. All invoices shall be coordinated with monthly progress reports and only apply to services provided in covered progress reports.

5.1.7. Deliverables: The deliverables for this task are attendance at the required meetings and the delivery of all required documents, meeting minutes, project plans and oversight, training and professional certifications, project milestones, quality control, and monthly progress reports in accordance with Army policies and applicable guidance with no more than one round of revisions. Approval will be gained through AU and TR.

The plans must meet all requirements as described by this SOW, along with all associated documentation.

5.2. TASK 2. ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT RESTORATION

5.2.1. Conduct midstory and brush restoration, using mechanical equipment, within a total of 175 acres within RCW habitat and/or rare plant sites. The Government will prioritize RCW habitat and sites located within areas included in the Fort Bragg annual prescribed fire burn plan.

5.2.1.1. All hardwood species less than 10” diameter at breast height (dbh) shall be removed from the 50 ft.

radius area around RCW cavity/start trees area. These activities will require mechanical chain/clearing saws.

All hardwood midstory shall be cut as described in paragraph 5.3.1.4.

5.2.1.2. Within assigned endangered, threatened, or rare species sites, all hardwood species less than a 10” diameter at breast height (dbh), shall be removed (See exceptions 5.2.1.2.1.). These activities will require mechanical chain/clearing saws. All hardwood midstory shall be cut as described in paragraph 5.2.1.4.

5.2.1.2.1. Exceptions from the 10” diameter rule: Within assigned endangered, threatened, or rare species sites, all the following hardwood species less than 4” dbh shall be removed from all assigned area. Stems of these species larger than 4” should be retained, unless specified by the TR These activities will require mechanical chain/clearing saws. All hardwood midstory shall be cut as described in paragraph 5.2.1.4.

• White Oak (Quercus alba)

• Southern red oak (Quercus falcata)

• Post Oak (Quercus stellata)

• Scrubby Post Oak (Quercus margaretta)

• Blue Jack Oak (Quercus incana)

• Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)

• Hickory (Carya tomentosa)

5.2.1.3. All pine species less than 4” dbh, shall be removed from assigned endangered, threatened, or rare species sites. These activities will require mechanical chain/clearing saws. All pine midstory less than 4” dbh shall be cut as described in paragraph 5.2.1.4.

5.2.1.4. All trees shall be cut at or near ground level with no stumps exceeding 4” in height. Trees shall be completely severed from the stump. Trees that fall within the drip line (canopy cover) of RCW trees or trees with a cat face or other scar shall be moved outside the drip line of these trees to reduce the chance of fire mortality. The service provider shall not allow cut trees to pile up at the base of pines. Cut material shall be pulled out of firebreaks, roads, and trails. Trees shall be felled to the ground with no cut trees leaning into uncut trees.

5.2.1.5. When pine species are not identified for the intended task, no pines greater than 4-inch dbh shall be cut or damaged in any way, unless specified by TR. Work with light equipment such as chain saws and clearing saws will be conducted carefully to prevent any damage to pine trees.

5.3. TASK 3. ENDANGERD SPECIES PROTECTION FROM PRESCRIBED FIRE

5.3.1. The Government will select forested blocks/fire management blocks that are to be treated with wildland prescribed fires on an annual basis. The Government will provide the service provider, during the performance period, with a map of areas to be burned during the dormant season (NOV - MAR) and the growing season (1 APR - 1 JUL). Prior to government conducting prescribed fire activities, the service provider shall rake around RCW cavity/start trees to remove excessive forest fuels from around the base of the trees. Within a specific priority area/fire management block, the Government will not commence with prescribed fire actions until the service provider is complete with assigned tasks and clear of the priority area.

The service provider must continually monitor Government provided Motorola radio for coordination and updates.

5.3.2. The service provider shall rake pine needles, loose vegetative material, and other lose material in a circle around the base of the RCW cavity/start tree. A circle diameter of approximately (1) 20 feet from known or previous year’s RCW nest trees and/or from the base of a sappy cavity tree, or (2) 10 ft from the base of low sap to non-sappy start trees will be raked. No vegetation shall be uprooted. Vegetation shall be cut at ground level using a fire rake or clearing saw and then raked outside the 20-foot diameter circle. Raked material shall be scattered outside the 20-foot diameter circle. No raking will occur within endangered, threatened, or rare plant sites. The Government will provide notification of plant sites within the annual task list. The estimated number of trees that require treatment is 859 during the length of the performance period. The final number of trees will be within + or - 10% of the estimate.

5.3.2.1. Past performance suggests raking can be accomplished around approximately 15 trees per eight-hour day with two (2) individuals.

5.3.2.2. All RCW trees scheduled should be protected by 30 June 2027.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1: PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

TASK 1

1. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: Project Management

2. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Completion of all required PWS documentation, meeting and coordination responsibilities, and daily supervision of field technicians, planning, and task completion

3. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT: Auburn’s PM will submit a monthly progress report to the Government on the on or before the 10th of each month until completion of TO and meet two (2) times per month with TR to discuss task status and planning to accomplish all tasks.

4. PERFORMANCE METRICS: Auburn service provider will maintain method of measures for all Tasks or show monthly progress leading to completion of tasks within the period of performance

5. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES: The Government will retain the TO for the period of performance

6. TASK ORDER LINKAGE REFERENCE:

TASK 2

1. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: Midstory and Brush Removal

2. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: Midstory and Brush removal can be completed at a rate of 2 acres per day

3. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT: The TR will visit project areas once every 5 days.

4. PERFORMANCE METRICS: Auburn will maintain removal activities for a minimum of 32 acres per 30 calendar days.

5. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES: The Government will retain the TO for the period of performance

TASK 3

1. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT: Prescribed Fire Support- Protect RCW Cavity Trees from Prescribed Fire

2. PERFORMANCE STANDARD: RCW cavity trees can be protected at a rate of 20 trees per day

3. METHOD OF MEASUREMENT: The TR will visit assigned protection areas once every 5 days.

4. PERFORMANCE METRICS: Auburn will provide protection activities for a minimum of 228 RCW Trees per 20 workdays

5. PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES: The Government will retain the TO for the period of performance

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2: DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

TASK 1: Project Management

1. DELIVERABLE: Database and narrative updating the status and completion of contract actions and weekly communications with Government as required in SOW

2. FREQUENCY: Submitted to the Government on the on or before the 10th of each month until completion of contract

3. # OF COPIES: One (1) original is to be provided

4. MEDIUM/FORMAT: Database spreadsheet and document shall be in a form that is read by Microsoft EXCEL and WORD

5. SUBMIT TO: The assigned TR

TASK 2: Midstory and Brush Removal

1. DELIVERABLE: Database shall include the total number of trees where restoration activities have been completed and a completion date.

2. FREQUENCY: Submitted to the Government on the on or before the 10th of each month until completion of contract

3. # OF COPIES: One (1) original is to be provided

4. MEDIUM/FORMAT: Database spreadsheet shall be in a form that is read by Microsoft EXCEL

5. SUBMIT TO: The assigned TR

TASK 3A: Prescribed Fire Support- Protect RCW Cavity Trees from Prescribed Fire

1. DELIVERABLE: Database shall include completion date, RCW cluster number, RCW tree number, and burn block tree is located in

2. FREQUENCY: Submitted to the Government on the on or before the 10th of each month until completion of contract

3. # OF COPIES: One (1) original is to be provided

4. MEDIUM/FORMAT: Database spreadsheet shall be in a form that is read by Microsoft EXCEL

5. SUBMIT TO: The assigned TR

Section II. Instructions to Proposers

Proposal Response

• Proposals should be submitted to the Procurement & Business Services Sourcing Event Portal on or before the time and date set for closing.

• Pursuant to the provisions of the State of Alabama Competitive Bid Law rules and regulations adopted there under, sealed bids will be received on the items noted herein by Procurement and Business Services of Auburn University, until the date and time stated.

• All bids are to be “F.O.B. Destination – Freight Prepaid and Allowed.”

• Alabama law (Section 41-4-116, code of Alabama 1975) provides that every bid submitted and contract executed shall contain a certification that the vendor, contractor, and all of its affiliates that make sales for delivery into Alabama or leases for use in Alabama are registered, collecting, and remitting Alabama state and local sales, use, and/or lease tax on all taxable sales and leases into Alabama. BY SUBMITTING THIS

BID, THE BIDDER IS HEREBY CERTIFYING THAT THEY ARE IN FULL

COMPLIANCE WITH ACT NO. 2006-557, they are not barred from bidding or entering into a contract pursuant to 41-4-116, and acknowledges that the awarding authority may declare the contract void if the certification is false. Bidder certifies that neither it, nor any of its employees who will provide or perform services under this contract have been debarred, suspended or declared ineligible as defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 48 C.F.R. Ch. 1 Subpart 9.4). Bidder will immediately notify the University if the Bidder or any of its employees who will provide or perform services under this contract is placed on the Consolidated List of Debarred, Suspended, and Ineligible Bidders.

• AU reserves the right to award in whole or in part, by line item, or make multiple awards, where such action serves Auburn University’s best interest.

• Proposers may withdraw proposals at any time prior to the time and date set for opening.

• The University reserves the sole and exclusive right to reject or accept any or all proposals and to waive any informality in proposal. The best interest of the University and their subsequent facilities shall be considered as the number one determining factor in selecting or not selecting a Proposer.

• No department, school, or office at the University has the authority to solicit official proposals other than Procurement and Business Services. All solicitation is performed under the direct supervision of the Director of Procurement and Business Services and incomplete accordance with the University policies and procedures.

• The University reserves the right to conduct discussions with proposers, and to accept revisions of proposals, and to negotiate price changes. The University will make reasonable efforts to protect proprietary information but all records are subject to State of Alabama open records laws.

• Proposers submitting proposals which meet the selection criteria and which are deemed to be the most advantageous to the University may be requested to give an oral presentation to a selection committee. Procurement and Business Services will schedule the presentations.

• The University is committed to the development of Small Business and Small Disadvantaged business (SB & SDB) suppliers. If subcontracting is necessary, the contractor will make every effort to use SB & SDB in the performance of this contract.

Reporting will be required throughout the duration of the contract indicating the extent of SB & SDB participation.

• The Suppliers shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the University, its officers, agents, and employees from any claims, damages, and actions of any kind or nature arising from or caused by the use of any materials, goods, equipment, or services furnished by the Supplier, provided that such liability does not attribute to the sole negligence of the University.

• The successful supplier will have to attest to the following: By signing this contract, the contracting parties affirm, for the duration of the agreement, that they will not violate federal immigration law or knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien within the state of Alabama, Furthermore, a contracting party found to be in violation of this provision shall be deemed in breach of the agreement and shall be responsible for all damages resulting therefrom.”

• Read and comply with all instructions, specifications, General Terms and Conditions, and Bid Conditions.

Section III. Form of Proposal

*If a subcontractor is expected to be used by the proposer, the company must be named in the proposal at the time of submission. Any changes to the planned subcontractor involvement must be submitted to AU in writing and approved prior to start of any work. Any requirements of the service provider must be extended to the subcontractor. All information requested of the service provider in this RFP also extends to the subcontractor, including the information requested below.

Proposal Format

• Proposal should be submitted in MS Word® and/or Adobe PDF® formatting only.

o If there is any information or required submittals, which due to size limitations cannot be incorporated following the preferred formatting, please note for the evaluator where the information can be found in response.

Paginated Format

• Cover Letter o The proposer shall provide a cover letter describing a brief history of the

Proposer and its organization. The letter will list the Principal or Officer of the organization who will be the University’s primary point of contact for clarifications or during negotiations.

• RFP Response o Describe, in detail, how the proposer plans to successfully complete the tasks listed in section 5 and address the University’s requirements. If the proposal includes the use of a subcontractor, the company must be named in the proposal.

o List and provide an explanation for any conditions of the Scope of Work which the proposer is unable or unwilling to complete.

o Highlight the company’s expertise o Names and qualifications of key personnel.

• Pricing o Official Bid Price Sheets (See Attachment A)

• Experience o A listing of other projects/customers similar in size and scope to the services described in the RFP. This list must include the name of the customer and the name, telephone number, and email address of an appropriate contact for each customer.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting

Department of Army installations will be considered most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting Department of Defense other than Department of Army installations will be considered second most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting federal government departments outside the Department of Defense will be considered third most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting state and local governments will be considered fourth most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting private entities will be considered fifth most applicable experience.

Section IV. Evaluation Criteria

• In awarding the contract, the University may take into consideration the skill, facilities, capacity, experience, ability, responsibility, previous work, reputation, financial standing of the bidder or respondents, and the amount of other work being carried on by the bidder. The inability of any bidder to meet the requirements mentioned above may be cause for rejection of proposal.

• Selection shall be made in the best interest of the University. An Agreement will be awarded to the successful respondent who, in the opinion of the University, has best demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of services required at fair and reasonable prices/compensation and whose proposal is deemed to be in the best interest of the University.

• Where contract negotiations with a respondent do not proceed to an executed contract within a time deemed reasonable by the University (for whatever reasons), the University may reconsider the proposals of other respondents and, if appropriate, enter into contract negotiations with one or more of the other respondents. Proposals shall remain valid and current for the period of 90 days after the closing date and time for submission of proposals.

• The respondent and University agree that time is of the essence in all respects concerning the award of contract and performance hereunder.

• Individuals from the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment will form the evaluation committee for this RFP. The University shall determine the award after evaluating each response on the following points.

1. Pricing – 50%

• Supplier having the lowest overall cost in dollars.

• Attachments A must be completed and submitted with proposal to be considered eligible.

2. History and Past Performance of the Company – 50%

• Relevant experience

• Demonstration of the selected supplier’s prior successful experience with the specified activities

• References

• Names and Qualifications of key personnel

ATTACHMENT A – Pricing Sheet

PLEASE INCLUDE A NARRATIVE EXPLANATION OF THE COSTS AND HOW THEY WERE

CALCULATED ACCOMPANYING THIS SHEET.

Protection and Restoration of Endangered Species Sites, Fort Bragg, NC

Rates Task 1. Project Management

Task 2.

Endangered

Species Habitat Restoration

Task 3.

Endangered

Species Protection from Prescribed Fire

Positions

Rate Unit Hrs Dollars Hrs Dollars Hrs Dollars

/ hr

TOTAL LABOR COSTS

TRAVEL COSTS

Rate / Unit Qty Dollars Qty Dollars Qty Dollars

TOTAL TRAVEL COSTS

MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, & SUPPLIES

TOTAL MATERIALS / EQUIP /

SUPPLIES

SUBCONTRACTORS

TOTAL SUBCONTRACTORS

TOTAL LABOR COSTS

TOTAL TRAVEL COSTS

TOTAL MATERIALS/SUPPLIES

TOTAL COST

ATTACHMENT B – Auburn University Insurance Addendum

Within forty-eight (48) hours after bid or PO is submitted to the supplier, the apparent low bidder must submit an approved Insurance Certificate to the Owner. The Contractor shall procure at its own expense and maintain without interruption during the entire term of this contract, insurance of the kinds and limits listed hereunder. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), or industry equivalent, Certificates of Insurance, and Additional Insured Endorsements issued by the contractor’s insurance carrier shall be furnished to Auburn University before beginning work and shall include the following additional insured endorsement:

"Auburn University, its Board of Trustees (individually and collectively), Administrators, Faculty, Designer of Record, Alabama Department of Finance, Division of Construction Management (DCM), Staff, Employees, and Agents are named as additional insureds in respect to General, Umbrella, and Automobile Liability.

All contractors and subcontractors must include United States Army as an additional insured party.

Coverage afford the Additional Insureds is Primary and Non-Contributory except for Employer's Liability and contain no exclusions of the additional Insureds relative to job accidents. Policies are endorsed to include a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of Auburn University. Thirty (30) days notice of cancellation applies (ten (10) days notice for non-payment of premium) in favor of Additional Insured."

The insurance coverages required under this contract are minimum insurance limits required and are not intended to limit the responsibility or liability of the Contractor. If any subcontractors are used to fulfill this contract, they, or the General Contractor on their behalf, shall carry the same coverages and limits of insurance outlined herein. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance of this requirement.

a. Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance:

i. Workers’ Compensation insurance shall be written in accordance with statutory coverage required by the State of Alabama. A self-insurer must provide a certificate issued by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations stating the contractor is qualified to pay its worker’s compensation claims.

ii. Employer’s Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Bodily Injury by Accident $1,000,000 each accident

2. Bodily Injury by Disease $1,000,000 each employee

b. Commercial General Liability Insurance:

i. $1,000,000 each accident

ii. $1,000,000 each employee

iii. Commercial General Liability Insurance shall be written on an occurrence form and shall provide at minimum the following limits:

1. Each Occurrence $1,000,000

2. General Aggregate $2,000,000

3. Products-Completed Operations Aggregate $2,000,000

4. Contractual Liability $1,000,000

5. Personal & Advertising Liability $1,000,000

6. Damage to Rented Premises $100,000

iv. Policy must cover all activities to be performed by the Contractor, including explosion, collapse, excavation, and underground work.

v. Policy shall be endorsed to be Primary and Non-Contributory to any insurance held by Auburn University.

c. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance:

i. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written to include coverage for bodily injury and property damage arising from ownership, maintenance or use of all owned, non-owned, leased, hired automobiles.

ii. Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Combined Single Limit $1,000,000

d. Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability Insurance:

i. The Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability limits specify above may be satisfied though a combination or primary and umbrella/excess liability policies written on a follow form.

e. Environmental Liability Insurance:

i. Environmental Liability Insurance will be provided IF the contractor will be handling hazardous or toxic products. Contractors’ needing this coverage including, but is not limited to, transportation or disposal of explosives, nuclear materials, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) materials, pesticides, fungicides, and oil; installation or removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks; asbestos abatement; and lead abatement.

ii. Environmental Liability Insurance shall provide Contractors Environmental Impairment Liability/Pollution Legal Liability shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Each Claim $1,000,000

2. Annual Aggregate $2,000,000

iii. Claims made policies must include a three-year reporting period or coverage must be provided for up to two (2) years after the completion of a project.

f. Professional Liability Insurance:

i. Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Liability will be required if the contractor is acting as a licensed professional while performing a service for Auburn University. Licensed professionals include but are not limited to Architects and Engineers.

ii. Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Each Claim $1,000,000

2. Annual Aggregate $3,000,000

iii. Claims made policies must include a three-year reporting period or coverage must be provided for up to two (2) years after the completion of project.

g. Policy Providers:

i. All insurance coverage shall be issued by an insurer licensed as an admitted insurer or authorized by the Alabama Insurance Commissioner of Insurance as a surplus line’s insurer. The Insurance Company must have a minimum of current A.M. Best’s rating of A-, Class V.

h. Notification Endorsement:

i. Each policy shall be endorsed to provide that the insurance company agrees that the policy shall not be canceled, materially changed, allowed to lapse, or allowed to expire until Auburn University has received thirty (30) days of written notice. Renewal certificated shall be sent to Auburn University within five (5) days following the renewal or any expiration date of coverage.

i. Deductibles:

i. A contractor may elect to secure an insurance program with a deductible or self-insured retention (SIR) of up to $25,000 without prior approval from the University. Any deductible or SIR larger than $25,000 must be approved by the University.