Bragg_2926_RarePlantSurvey_RFP_comb.pdf

Auburn University Request for Proposal

Survey for Rare and Endangered Plant Species, 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. Scope 2

1.3. Period of Performance 2

1.4. Quality Control 2

1.5. General Information 3

2. Definitions and Acronyms 6

2.1. Definitions 6

2.2. Acronyms 7

3. Government Furnished Items and Services 7

3.1. Materials 7

4. Service Provider Furnished Items and Responsibilities 7

4.1. General 7

5. Specific Tasks 8

5.1. Basic Services 8

5.2. Training Area Requirements 8

5.3. Tasks 8

5.4. Deliverables 9

5.5. Reference Standard/Publications 11

5.6 Delivery Media Format 11

5.7 Conversion Confirmation Notices 12

6. Applicable Publications 12

7. Technical Exhibit List 13

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1 14

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 18

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3 19

Section II: Instructions to Proposers 22 Section III: Form of Proposal 23 Section IV: Evaluation Criteria 24 ATTACHMENT A –Pricing Sheet 26

ATTACHMENT B – INSURRANCE ADDENDUM 27

Section I. Request for Proposal

Statement of Purpose

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

Scope of work

1. GENERAL

1.1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/INTRODUCTION: This is a non-personnel services agreement to survey for rare and endangered plant species at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Government shall 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.

1.1.1. The service provider shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the rare plant survey, as defined in this Scope of Work (SOW), except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The service provider shall perform to the standards in this task order. Specific tasks can be found in Part 5 of this SOW.

1.2. SCOPE: The Rare Plant Survey is the primary method through which new rare plant sites are found and known rare plant sites are checked. There are three federally listed endangered plants which are known to occur on Fort Bragg, and three others which occur in nearby areas. No activities aside from plant site management may take place in the well-marked, Federal rare plant sites in Fort Bragg’s training areas.

Aside from Federally listed plants, there are six Army Species-At-Risk (SAR) plants which have the potential to impose further restrictions should their conservation status elevate to the Federal level. There are 51 other plants with only state conservation legal statuses, some of which are currently being petitioned for Federal listing. Fifty-nine other watch list species have been identified by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program because of their potential to merit an elevated status in the future. The service provider will use specific knowledge of Sandhills plant communities and the local fire history to survey areas with the highest likelihood of new federal and SAR occurrences. The service provider will also check all known SAR and state plant sites. Throughout the course of the survey, the service provider will record the location for any significant occurrences of the invasive species Lespedeza bicolor. See Specific Tasks Section 5. 5 for more details, along with the accompanying survey maps.

1.3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2027

1.4. QUALITY CONTROL: Quality control is the responsibility of the service provider. The service provider is responsible for delivery of quality services to Auburn and the Government.

1.4.1. 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 (QCP) dedicated to ensuring the best possible products and services to end users.

1.4.1.1. 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 a 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 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.

1.4.1.2. 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 within 24 hours of completion or upon request from the Intergovernmental Service Agreement Manager (IGSA-M) or the Technical Representative (TR).

1.4.1.3. The service provider’s QCP shall be incorporated into and become part of this task order after the plan has been accepted by the IGSA-M and TR. Proposed changes made after acceptance shall be submitted in writing through the TR to the IGSA-M for review and acceptance prior to implementing any revision.

Service provider’s QCP shall be maintained throughout the life of the task order and shall include service provider’s procedures to routinely evaluate the effectiveness of the plan to ensure the service provider is meeting the performance standards and requirements of the contract.

1.5. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.5.1. Recognized Federal Holidays: The service provider shall not be required to perform services on recognized federal holidays. The recognized federal holidays include:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. Columbus Day Washington’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

1.5.2. Hours of Operation: The service provider shall be responsible for conducting business normally between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Monday through Friday, except federal holidays or when the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings or similar government directed facility closings. The service provider shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this SOW when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons. The service provider is allowed to work flexible hours (weekends and after normal duty hours) to conduct surveys that do not interrupt military training.

1.5.3. Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this task order will be accomplished on Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall.

1.5.4. Security Requirements: Service provider personnel shall comply with all applicable security and safety regulations, guidance, and procedures, including local, referenced in this SOW and in effect at the work sites. All personnel must meet requirements IAW DoW Directive 8570.

1.5.4.1. Physical Security: The service provider shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for their use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.5.4.2. Release of Information: The service provider will not publicize, nor release in any manner, information, or data in regarding projects on which they may be working or negotiating with this office, nor discuss prior to public release by this office, a project, any future project/program, or any planning with anyone not directly concerned with the project. Any inquiries regarding these matters will be referred to the IGSA-M or TR.

1.5.4.3. Fraud, Waste, and Abuse: In accordance with AR 11-2, Internal Management Controls, the service provider shall be responsible for maintaining proper conduct and good discipline within their work areas.

Service provider personnel shall be encouraged to be alert to and report to designated representatives suspected situations of fraud, waste, and abuse or other intentionally dishonest conduct observed during or in the performance of contract.

1.5.5. Key Control: N/A

1.5.6. Special Qualifications:

1.5.6.1. The service provider shall be responsible for ensuring all personnel performing work under this task order possess and maintain current certifications as indicated in the SOW.

1.5.6.2. Service provider personnel performing work under this task order shall be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language to effectively carry out all contract requirements. They shall have a command of both the written and spoken English language to properly, clearly, and effectively communicate in person or via electronic devices (telephone or email) with co-workers, customers, and the general public.

1.5.6.3. Service provider personnel performing work under this task order shall be U. S. citizens unless the provisions of Army Regulation 25-2, Information Assurance have been fully completed and approval has been granted by the Government for the non-U. S. citizen to perform the required support.

1.5.6.4. Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures: All service provider personnel performing work under this task order shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access, local security policies and security procedures provided by the Security Manager Government representative. Service provider personnel shall provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by the installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. Service provider personnel must comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DOW, HQDA or local policies. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by this task order, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in service providers security matters or processes.

1.5.6.5. Other Qualifications: Many of the target species are narrowly endemic to the Sandhills region of North Carolina; therefore, specialized knowledge of Sandhills ecology shall be required of the service provider to conduct this survey. The service provider shall possess a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) from an accredited college or university in botany or ecology, or related field, with a strong botanical and GIS background. The service provider shall also have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the identification of rare, threatened and endangered plants in the Sandhills region of North Carolina and be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of ArcGIS.

1.5.6.5.1. The Program Manager shall possess the same qualification as that described in 1.4.7.2 plus 5 years’ experience in program management.

1.5.7. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The service provider agrees to attend any post award conference convened by Fort Bragg IGSA-M and TR. Auburn, the IGSA-M, and TR may meet periodically with the service provider to review their performance. At these meetings the IGSA-M and TR will appraise the service provider of how the Government views the performance and the service provider will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action should be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.5.8. Technical Representative (TR): The TR will be identified by separate letter of appointment. The TR monitors all technical aspects of the task order and assists in its administration. The TR is authorized to perform the following functions: Assure that the service provider performs the technical requirements of the task order; perform inspections necessary in connection with task order performance; maintain written and oral communications with the service provider concerning technical aspects of the task order; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including government drawings, designs, specifications; monitor the service provider’s performance and notifies both the IGSA-M and the service provider of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of service provider personnel

1.5.9. Responsibilities: The service provider shall perform all work and services for the project in accordance with established criteria, standards, and instructions. The service provider shall assume all responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the work. Should the service provider receive any directions or instructions which are beyond the scope of work, the service provider shall not proceed with such directions or instructions and will notify Auburn in writing within 10 calendar days. If such a request has any influence or impact on survey efforts, the service provider will include a description in the notification. The service provider will not modify, add, delete, or change the instructions stated in the SOW in any way without obtaining written approval from Auburn and the IGSA-M.

1.5.10. Key Personnel:

1.5.10.1. 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 task order.

The name and qualifications of this person shall be designated in writing in the proposal. The PM shall have full authority to act for the service provider on all task order matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The PM 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.

1.5.11. Service Provider Personnel:

1.5.11.1. Identification of 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 the service provider’s participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.5.11.2. The service providers shall provide each employee an ID badge on the task order start date or on the employment start date. The ID badge shall, at a minimum, have the employee’s name and the name of the service provider. All service provider personnel on duty shall wear identification badges on the upper front quadrant of the outer garment at all times when performing work under this contract. If wear of the badge in the designated location should constitute a safety hazard, Auburn shall designate an alternate location for display of the badge for the employee affected.

1.5.11.3. The service provider shall develop, maintain, and provide to the IGSA-M and TR an updated roster which shall include names and positions of all service provider personnel. The service provider shall submit initial roster to the TR within five (5) calendar days after the award of the Period of Performance start date.

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. SERVICE PROVIDER PERSONNEL: Service provider employee, contractor or subcontractor employees performing work under this task order.

2.1.2. DEFECTIVE SERVICE: A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Scope of Work (SOW).

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

2.1.4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AGREEMENT MANAGER: Government employee appointed by the Garrison Commander to administer the Intergovernmental Support Agreement task order.

2.1.5. KEY PERSONNEL: Service provider employees who are critical for achieving SOW objectives. Key personnel shall meet position qualification and experience requirements indicated in the SOW.

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

2.1.7. 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.

2.1.8. QUALITY CONTROL: All necessary measures taken by the service provider to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.9. SUBCONTRACTOR: One that enters into a contract with the service provider. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.10. TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE: Government employee appointed by the Garrison Commander to provide technical direction to Auburn and the service provider, as long as that direction is within the scope of the task order, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the task order.

2.1.11. WORKDAY: The length of time during a day in which service provider provides services, in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK: Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified.

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. MATERIALS: The Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch will provide the following items:

• List of target rare species to be identified during survey (Word file)

• Known rare plant occurrences and conservation statuses from previous survey efforts (ESRI shp file)

• The project boundary, training areas, paved roads, unpaved roads, streams, and bodies of water (ESRI shp files)

• Aerial photography of survey area (MrSID file)

• Prescribed fire burn plan maps for 2024 to 2028, as produced by Forestry (pdf)

• Fort Bragg Regulation 350-6, Installation Range Regulation (pdf)

• Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall Military Installation Maps (pdf)

• Flora of the NC Coastal Plain by Alan Weakley (pdf)

• NC Natural Heritage Program’s Guide to the Natural Communities of NC by Michael Schafale (pdf)

4. SERVICE PROVIDER-FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITES

4.1. GENERAL: The service provider shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services, equipment repairs required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this SOW.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1. BASIC SERVICES:

5.1.1. Description of Survey Area and Background: This five-year rare plant survey began in FY24 and will continue through FY28. Fort Bragg contains approximately 110,000 managed acres, with each year of the survey covering roughly one fifth of the area. The areas to be surveyed in this task order are detailed below.

5.1.2. The FY26 survey area covers 22,495 acres located in the western section of Fort Bragg, and Camp Mackall. Referring to the Fort Bragg Military Installation Map, the area is contained in training areas BB1, BB2, BB3, CC1, CC2, DD1, DD2, DD3, EE1, EE2, EE3, KK1, KK2, LL, and MM. The FY26 survey area is located in the Sandhills region of the Coastal Plain physiographic province, centered at UTM coordinates 17S 651204m E 3886496m N on western Fort Bragg and 638401m E 3877566m N on Camp Mackall. The Fort Bragg property is located in Hoke County, with primary access provided by King Road. The Camp Mackall property is located in Moore, Richmond, and Scotland counties, with primary access provided by Ashmont Rd, Glider Rd, 11th ABN DIV Rd, and 17th ABN DIV Rd. Aside from these main roads, there are numerous unpaved roads and firebreaks throughout the survey area. Major features in the FY26 survey area include Nijmegen and Luzon drop zones.

5.2. TRAINING AREA REQUIREMENTS:

5.2.1. Scheduling: Each survey year includes training areas where military activities may impact work schedules. Work scheduling will defer to training needs without exception. The service provider shall conduct all activities in a way that will not disrupt or distract military training. Weekend and late afternoon/early evening work may sometimes be necessary in the case of access conflicts.

5.2.2. Range Pass: The service provider shall request and secure a range pass from Range Control before entering the training areas. The service provider shall provide the names of all field personnel and a description of any vehicles with tag numbers used during the survey. No personally owned vehicles will be allowed in the training areas.

5.2.3. Restricted Areas: The service provider shall observe all signs and map symbols, as certain areas may be restricted or off-limits. These areas are clearly marked on the Fort Bragg Military Installation Map.

5.2.4. Unexploded Ordnance: Unexploded ordinance (UXO) may be present in the survey area; therefore, the service provider shall not pick up or disturb any non-natural item.

5.2.5. Special Clothing: During hunting seasons, the service provider shall be required to wear a blaze orange hat and shirt or vest. A hunting calendar maintained by the Fort Bragg Wildlife Branch can be found at https://bragg.isportsman.net/.

5.2.6. Official Regulations: The service provider shall comply with all applicable provisions of Fort Bragg Regulation 350-6, Installation Range Regulation. All operations in training areas are subject to changes or termination at the direction of Range Control.

5.2.7. Restrictions: The service provider shall not travel off of maintained roads, firebreaks and trails to access project sites. Additionally, the service provider shall not park a vehicle in a way that blocks the road, firebreak or trail.

5.3. TASKS:

https://bragg.isportsman.net/

5.3.1. Task One: Check Known Rare Plant Sites: The service provider shall check all known Army Species- At-Risk (SAR) training area plant sites and provide a stem count. In the FY26 survey area, there are 184 SAR plant sites: 17 Astragalus michauxii, 23 Lilium pyrophilum, 43 Lindera subcoriacea, 92 Pyxidanthera brevifolia , and 92 Stylisma pickeringii. It will not be required that the service provider check federally endangered plant sites.

5.3.1.1. The service provider shall also check presence/absence for all other known plant sites that have only a state status, with no overlapping Federal or SAR status. These include state Endangered (SE), Threatened (ST), Species of Concern (SC), Significantly Rare (SR). In the FY26 survey area, there are 143 plant sites with only a state conservation status.

5.3.1.2. The service provider shall record the number of stems present of the given species at each SAR site and provide presence/absence data for sites with only a state status. At both SAR and state status sites, general notes will be taken about the condition of the plants or the overall site. A GIS layer will be provided to the service provider showing the location of all plant sites along with relevant data.

5.3.1.3. When the plants are absent from the Element Occurrence (EO) site, the polygon for the site will remain in the current GIS layer.

5.3.2. Task Two: Survey for New Plant Sites: The service provider shall survey the FY26 training areas for new occurrences of rare plants with either federal, SAR, or state status. The Installation has 60 rare plant species and 59 watchlist species across the installation. There are more which are known to occur in Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland Counties, but have not yet been found on Fort Bragg. A species list of target species in each category known to occur on Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall is found below.

5.3.2.1. The service provider shall use his or her experience in the Sandhills to systematically survey all suitable habitat in the most productive manner. Aerial photos and prescribed fire burn data will be provided to the service provider to aid in identifying high priority areas.

5.3.2.2. The service provider shall refer to communities following the NC Natural Heritage Program’s Guide to the Natural Communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation, by Mike Schafale, and taxa following Alan Weakley’s Flora of the NC Coastal Plain.

5.3.2.3. New occurrences shall be recorded using NC Natural Heritage Program Standards.

5.3.2.4. The area occupied by new occurrences shall be recorded by GPS to the nearest meter.

5.3.2.5. In cases where the areas occupied by two or more species overlap, each species EO will have its own separate polygon.

5.3.2.6. Significant occurrences of any invasive species will be recorded as encountered during survey for rare plants. Fort Bragg’s worst species include Pueraria montana, Ligustrum sinense, Albizia julibrissin, and Lespedeza bicolor outside of wildlife openings.

5.4. DELLIVERABLES:

5.4.1. By the end of each month for the duration of the period of performance, the service provider shall provide the Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch a brief summary of plant sites checked, areas surveyed for new occurrences and data for any new rare plants found.

5.4.2. Element Occurrence Records: Data for new rare plant occurrences will be recorded on the NC Natural Heritage Program Endangered (NC NHP) and Rare Plant Field Survey Form (See Appendix A). For each month of the period of performance, the forms will be submitted by the service provider to the NC NHP, who will assign an EO number for each new find. A copy of the forms sent to NC NHP will be submitted to the Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch along with the monthly progress reports. The service provider will also communicate element occurrence numbers assigned by NC NHP on a monthly basis.

5.4.3. GIS File: By the end of the period of performance, the service provider shall provide the Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch a GIS layer showing the status of known plant sites and all new rare plant sites.

The layer shall meet Army data standards, with the following attribute table fields being most critical:

• Species ID: a four-letter species code comprised of the first two letters of the genus and the first two letters of the specific epithet (e.g., RHMI for Rhus michauxii).

• Element Occurrence Number: The element occurrence number added to the species ID as assigned by the NC Natural Heritage Program. Until the number is assigned, the new occurrence can be marked NEW (e.g., RHMI327 or RHMINEW).

• Subpopulation Letter: When occurrences are closely grouped, they are often determined by NHP to be subpopulations, designated by a letter.

• Plant Number: This will be a four-digit expression comprised of the species ID, element occurrence number and subpopulation letter (e.g., RHMI327C).

• Scientific Name: The genus, species and any infraspecific names of the taxon.

• Common Name: The commonly used name or names of the taxon.

• PA26: Presence or absence of populations checked in FY26. The number 1 will be used to indicate the plant or plants are still present, and 0 when they are absent. New occurrences will be marked with a 1.

• Notes: General observations on abundance, any flowers or fruits present and abnormalities or issues at the plant site.

• x: the UTM easting x coordinate of the approximate center point of occurrences.

• y: the UTM northing y coordinate of the approximate center point of occurrences.

5.4.4. End of Survey Summary: By the end of the period of performance, the service provider shall provide the Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch with a final report for the survey. The report shall include a summary of the known site checks, and of the new occurrences found. It shall also include any relevant notes about the overall condition of the training areas, dominant communities, significant features, potential threats to the site and management recommendations.

5.4.5. GIS Data Standards for Deliverables: GIS technology provides a computerized mechanism for capturing, verifying, storing, manipulating, querying, analyzing, and displaying geospatial data referenced to their location on earth.

5.4.5.1. The service provider’s services include, but are not limited to, the accurate (GPS and/or surveyed) recording of the actual location of geographic spatial data; the collection of attributes related to the features above and the production of GIS products (shapefiles, databases, DGN, etc.). The digital media shall be formatted to conform to Fort Bragg’s GIS standard and delivered to function as an integral part of the GIS.

The database of the GIS is populated with attribute data. All GIS data (including geospatial data acquisition and map development for use in a GIS) shall conform to the most current release of the Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment (SDSFIE). The most current release of the SDSFIE is available for download from the SDSFIE Organization internet website at http://www.sdsfie.org/. During the project period Fort Bragg will use the 3. 0 Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment (SDSFIE) standard, plus the non-standard data. All delivered digital GIS data files shall also be submitted in strict compliance with the SDSFIE for the target GIS software system. The service provider shall ensure that all digital files and data (e. g. , base files, reference files, symbol libraries, etc.) are compatible with the government's target GIS and adhere to the standards and requirements specified herein. The term “compatible” means that data can be accessed directly by the target system without translation, preprocessing, or post-processing of the digital data files. It is the responsibility of Auburn to ensure this level of compatibility.

5.4.5.2. All GIS work performed as part of this agreement shall conform to the following standards for accuracy, content, and structure: All spatial data generated as part of this agreement shall be ArcGIS version

10. 4 or greater compliant; adhere to most recent SDSFIE version; and utilize the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) version 2. 6 or greater. Data Quality shall comply with the Army’s Installation Geospatial Information & Services (IGI&S) standards for Flora Endangered/Rare/Threatened Species (FloraERT). The service provider shall submit a written request for approval of any deviations from the government's established standards. Map layers (features) shall be provided in the applicable zone of the Projected Coordinate System: ArcGIS GeoDatabases WGS 1984 UTM Zone 17S. Elevation units shall be MSL GRS80 U. S. Survey Feet. Due north [grid north] on the map will be as viewed from the bottom of the map. Rotations shall not be allowed nor will orientation to magnetic north.

Acceptable shape geometry includes polygon, polyline, point, polygon Z, polyline Z, and point Z.

5.4.5.3. The GIS data to be provided to the service provider showing known rare plant occurrences will be in the most recent SDSFIE data standard. To obtain this data, along with the project boundary, training areas, roads and streams layers the service provider shall contact the Fort Bragg Endangered Species Branch. All data will transmitted only after signing an official data request and non-disclosure agreement.

5.5. REFERENCE STANDARD/PUBLICATIONS:

5.5.1. GIS Publications

5.5.2. Spatial Data Standard for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment (SDSFIE).

5.5.3. Via Internet: http://prd.sdsfie.org.

5.5.4. Information concerning the FGDC can be obtained from the FGDC Internet homepage at http://www.fgdc.gov.

5.6. DELIVERY MEDIA FORMAT: The service provider shall provide a copy of all data and files developed under this agreement and shall be delivered to the government in digital format at project completion. Use of the internet to transfer files between the service provider and the government is an option, as approved by the Project Manager. The digital media used will be fully compatible with the government's target GIS.

5.6.1. Transmittals: The service provider shall provide a transmittal letter containing, as a minimum, the following information which shall accompany each digital media submittal to the government. The transmittal letter shall be dated and signed by the appropriate service provider's representative. The transmittal letter shall be provided to the Government on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper. A digital copy of the transmittal letter in a PDF format shall also be provided on the digital media submitted to the government.

http://prd.sdsfie.org/ http://www.fgdc.gov/

• The information included on the external label of each media along with the total number being delivered, and a list of the names and descriptions of the files on each one.

• Brief instructions for transferring the files from the media to the Government’s target GIS.

• Certification that all delivery media are free of known computer viruses. A statement including the name(s) and release date(s) of the virus-scanning software used to analyze the delivery media, the date the virus scan was performed, and the operator's name will also be included with the certification. The release or version date of the virus-scanning software will be the current version which has detected the latest known viruses at the time of delivery of the digital media.

• A statement indicating that the service provider shall retain a copy of all delivered digital media (with all files included) for at least one year and, during this period of time, shall provide up to two additional copies of each to the government, if requested, at no additional cost.

5.6.2. Enclosures or Attachments to the Transmittal Letter: The following documentation information shall be provided to the government on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper as an enclosure or attachment to the transmittal letter provided with each digital media submittal. A digital copy of the documentation information in a PDF format shall also be provided on the digital media submitted to the government.

• Description of how the data was acquired and input into the GIS.

• Brief development history for each graphic and non-graphic file on the submitted digital media (e. g. , content, when developed, modified, etc. ).

• A list of all deviations from the government’s specified or provided standards.

5.6.3. Ownership: The government, for itself and such others as it deems appropriate, shall have unlimited rights under this agreement to all information and materials developed under this agreement and furnished to the government and documentation thereof, reports, listings, and all other items pertaining to the work and services pursuant to this agreement including any copyright. Unlimited rights under this agreement are rights to use, duplicate, or disclose text, data, drawings, and information, in whole or in part in any manner and for any purpose whatsoever without compensation to or approval from the service provider. The government will at all reasonable times have the right to inspect the work and will have access to and the right to make copies of the above-mentioned items. All text, digital files, data, and other products generated under this agreement will become the property of the government.

5.7. CONVERSION CONFIRMATION NOTICES: The service provider shall provide a record, in electronic format, within 5 days of occurrence of all discussions, verbal directions, and telephone conversations participated in by Auburn or his/her representative on matters relative to this delivery order. These records, entitled "Confirmation Notices" will be numbered sequentially and will fully identify participating personnel, subject(s) discussed, and any conclusions reached.

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

6.1. The service provider shall abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

• AR 11-2 Internal Management Controls

• AR 25-2 Information Assurance

• AR 530-1 Operations Security (OPSEC)

• AR 200-1 Environmental Protection and Enhancement

• FB Reg 350-6 Installation Range Operations

• N/A Endangered Species Act

• N/A DoW Instruction 4715. 03

• N/A Fort Bragg’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan

• N/A Army Species at Risk Management Guidelines

• N/A Natural Resources Management Plan

• N/A DOW Directive 8570

• IGI&S Installation Geospatial Information & Services

• SDSFIE Spatial Data Standards for Facilities, Infrastructure, and Environment

7. TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LIST:

7.1. TECHNICAL EXHIBITS:

• Technical Exhibit 1: Fort Bragg Rare Plant List

• Technical Exhibit 2: Rare Plant Survey VI

• Technical Exhibit 3: Rare Plant Survey Form

Technical Exhibit 1

Fort Bragg/Camp Mackall Rare Plant List Updated Jan 2026 Total Rare Plants: 60 Federally Listed: 3 Army Species-At-Risk (SAR): 6 State Status: 46+14 || State Watchlist: 59

Scientific Name Common Name Conservation Status (Fed / State) or (State)

State Rank

Lysimachia asperulifolia Rough-leaf Loosestrife E / E S3 Rhus michauxii Michaux's Sumac E / E S2 Schwalbea americana American Chaffseed E / E S1 Amorpha georgiana Georgia Indigo-bush SAR / E < P > S1S2 Astragalus michauxii Sandhills Milkvetch SAR / SC-V S3 Lilium pyrophilum Sandhills Lily SAR / E S2 Lindera subcoriacea Bog Spicebush SAR / SC-V S2 Pyxidanthera brevifolia Sandhills Pyxie-moss SAR / T S2 Stylisma pickeringii var. pickeringii Pickering’s Dawnflower SAR / SC-V S3 Carex exilis Coastal Sedge E S1 Carex tenax Wire Sedge E S1 Crocanthemum carolinianum Carolina Sunrose E S1S2 Eriocaulon texense Texas Hatpins E S1 Gaillardia aestivalis var. aestivalis Sandhills Blanket-flower E S1S2 Hypericum fasciculatum Peelbark St. John’s-wort E S1 Lobelia boykinii Boykin’s Lobelia E < P > S1 Myriophyllum laxum Loose Water-milfoil E S2 Orthochilus ecristatus Spiked Medusa E S1 Platanthera nivea Snowy Orchid E SH Pseudognaphalium helleri Heller’s Rabbit-Tobacco E S2S3 Solidago tortifolia Twistleaf Goldenrod E S1 Stylisma aquatica Water Dawnflower E S2 Warea cuneifolia Carolina Pineland-cress E SH Carex vestita Velvet Sedge T S1 Crocanthemum rosmarinifolium Rosemary Sunrose T S2 Dionaea muscipula Venus Flytrap T S2 Eleocharis vivipara Viviparous Spikerush T S2 Galactia mollis Soft Milk-pea T S2 Parnassia caroliniana Carolina Grass-of-Parnassus T S2 Rhynchospora crinipes Alabama Beaksedge T S1 Rhynchospora macra Southern White Beaksedge T S1 Ruellia ciliosa Sandhills Wild-petunia T S2 Sagittaria isoetiformis Quillwort Arrowhead T S2 Sagittaria macrocarpa Streamhead Sagittaria T S2 Sclerolepis uniflora One-flowered Sclerolepis T S1 Solidago verna Spring-flowering Goldenrod T S3 Utricularia olivacea Dwarf Bladderwort T S1S2

Vaccinium macrocarpon Cranberry T S2

Scientific Name Common Name Conservation Status (Fed / State) or (State)

State Rank

Carex barrattii Barratt’s Sedge SC-H (V) S1 Eleocharis robbinsii Robbins’ Spikerush SC-V S2S3 Eriocaulon aquaticum Seven-angled Pipewort SC-V S2 Muhlenbergia torreyana Pinebarren Smokegrass SC-V S2 Scleria reticularis Netted Nutrush SC-V S2 Thalictrum macrostylum Small-leaved Meadowrue SC-V S3 Utricularia geminiscapa Two-flowered Bladderwort SC-V S1 Xyris scabrifolia Harper’s Yellow-eyed-grass SC-V S2S3

Scientific Name Common Name Conservation Status

[State] State Rank

Asemeia grandiflora Showy Milkwort SR-P S2 Carex disjuncta Silvery Sedge SR-P S2 Carex socialis Social Sedge SR-P S1 Danthonia epilis Bog Oatgrass SR-T S3 Desmodium fernaldii Fernald’s Tick-trefoil SR-P S1 Dichanthelium cryptanthum Hidden-flowered Witchgrass SR-T S2 Eupatorium resinosum Pine Barren Boneset SR-O S3 Hexalectris spicata Crested Coralroot SR-P S2 Hypoxis rigida Stiff-leaved Yellow Stargrass SR-P S1 Potamogeton confervoides Conferva Pondweed SR-D S2 Schoenoplectus etuberculatus Canby’s Bulrush SR-P S3 Spiranthes eatonii Eaton’s Ladies’-tresses SR-P S2 Trichostema setaceum Narrowleaf Bluecurls SR-T S2 Xyris chapmanii Chapman’s Yellow-eyed-grass SR-D S3

State Watchlist Species Agalinis aphylla Scale-leaf Gerardia W-RS S3 Agalinis decemloba Piedmont Gerardia W-RS S3 Andropogon tracyi Tracy's Bluestem W-PK S2 Anthenantia rufa Purple Silkyscale W-RS S2 Asclepias tomentosa Sandhills Milkweed W-RS S3 Bartonia paniculata ssp. paniculata Twining Screwstem W-RS S2S3 Burmannia biflora Northern Bluethreads W-RS S2S3 Calamovilfa brevipilis Pinebarren Sandreed W-RS S3 Carex austrodeflexa Canebrake Sedge W-RS S3 Carex collinsii Collin's Sedge W-RS S3 Carex mitchelliana Mitchell's Sedge W-RS S2 Carex turgescens Pinebarren Sedge W-RS S3 Cladium mariscoides Twig-rush W-RS S3

Coleataenia tenera Southeastern Panic Grass W-RS S3 Comptonia peregrina Sweet Fern W-RS S3 Crataegus munda Batesburg Hawthorn W-RS S3 Dalea pinnata var. pinnata Eastern Prairie-clover W-RS S2 Dichanthelium roanokense Roanoke Witchgrass W-RS S2 Eleocharis brittonii Britton’s Spikerush W-PK S1 Eriophorum virginicum Cottongrass W-RS S3 Habenaria repens Water-spider Orchid W-RS S2 Hexastylis sorriei Sandhills Heartleaf W-RS S3 Isoetes hyemalis Winter Quillwort W-PK S2S3 Isotria verticillata Large Whorled Pogonia W-RS S2S3 Kalmia cuneata White Wicky W-RS S3 Liatris secunda Sandhill Blazing-star W-PK S2 Lithospermum virginianum Virginia Marbleseed W-RS S3 Lobelia batsonii Streamhead Lobelia W-RS S3 Lycopus amplectens Clasping Bugleweed W-RS S3 Nuphar sagittifolia Narrowleaf Pondlily W-RS S3 Orbexilum lupinellus Lupine Scurfpea W-RS S3 Parthenium integrifolium var. mabryanum Mabry's Wild Quinine W-RS S3 Paspalum bifidum Pitchfork Crown Grass W-RS S3 Paspalum praecox Early Crown Grass W-RS S2S3 Pediomelum canescens Buckroot W-RS S3 Phaseolus sinuatus Sandhills Bean W-RS S3 Physalis lanceolata Sandhills Ground-cherry W-RS S2?

Platanthera blephariglottis Small White-fringed Orchid W-PK S2 Polygonella americana Southern Jointweed W-RS S1S2 Prunus umbellata Hog Plum W-PK S2 Rhynchospora cephalantha var. attenuata Small Bunched Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora leptocarpa Brownish Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora oligantha Feather-bristle Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora pallida Pale Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora scirpoides Long-beak Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora stenophylla Littleleaf Beaksedge W-RS S3 Rhynchospora wrightiana Wright's Beaksedge W-RS S3 Sagittaria engelmanniana Engelmann's Arrowhead W-RS S2 Schoenoplectus subterminalis Swaying Bulrush W-RS S3 Smilax pseudochina Long-stalk Greenbrier W-RS S3?

Solidago gracillima Graceful Goldenrod W-RS S3 Solidago pulchra Carolina Goldenrod W-RS S3 Solidago salicina Round-leaved Goldenrod W-RS S2?

Sporobolus pinetorum Carolina Dropseed W-RS S3 Tridens carolinianus Carolina Triodia W-RS S3 Vaccinium virgatum Small-flower Blueberry W-PK S1S2

Viola villosa Carolina Violet W-PK S2 Xyris flabelliformis Savanna Yellow-eyed-grass W-RS S3 Xyris smalliana Small's Yellow-eyed-grass W-RS S3

Technical Exhibit 2

Technical Exhibit 3. Rare Plant Survey Form

Natural Heritage Program Endangered and Rare Plant Field Survey Form

Send to: NC Natural Heritage Program Nature Research Center 121 West Jones Street 1651 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1651 www.ncnhp.org

Species: Common name: Survey date:

EO Number (if updating existing EO):

County: 7. 5' Quad Map:

Coordinates: Datum: Elevation:

Site Name: Previously known? (Y/N)

Site location and directions:

[Please attach copy of map with site marked or sketch site on back of form]

Endangered and Rare Plant Field Survey Form Continued

Number of individuals: Define individual (stem, clump, etc. ):

Size of area in which population occurs:

Estimate whether the entire population was surveyed, or only a portion:

Estimated Population Viability (circle one): Excellent Good Fair Poor Unknown Failed to find population

Viability comments:

Phenology (include % or # in each stage): vegetative bud flower

Evidence of reproduction (circle one): fruit seedlings clonal/vegetative

Reproduction Comments:

Habitat (NC NHP natural community name and description, if known & include quality, soils, geology, etc. ):

Associated species:

Invasive species noted & degree of threat from invasive species:

Endangered and Rare Plant Field Survey Form Continued

Area of apparently suitable habitat (suitable for, but not necessarily occupied by the species):

If the population is within a right-of-way, does suitable habitat exist outside right-of-way?

Topographic position (e. g. crest, mid slope, alluvial, etc):

Moisture regime (e. g. inundated, dry, seasonally wet, etc):

Light (e. g. open, woodland, closed canopy, etc):

Other information:

Protection / management needs and opportunities:

Landowner(s), if known:

Person making this report, Address, & Phone:

Other observers:

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…