C04 -Attachment 2 - PWS Data Collection CA CenValley_CenSierra 9.8.26.pdf

ATTACHMENT 2

FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT FOR NATIONAL RESOURCES INVENTORY

LOCAL DATA COLLECTION (CROPLAND)

CA CENTRAL VALLEY AND CENRAL SIERRA

I. AUTHORITIES

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture is mandated (through the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977, and other supporting legislation) to assess the status, condition, and trends of soil, water, and related resources on the Nation’s non-Federal lands. Resources inventory legislative authorities, NRCS policy, and responsibilities for conducting the NRI are contained in NRCS General Manual 290, Part 400.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this requirement is to accelerate delivery of the National Resource Inventory (NRI) local data collection cropland project.

III. DEFINITIONS

1. Contracting Officer (CO). The duly appointed and warranted government agent authorized to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.

The contracting officer is the only person authorized to contractually obligate the government. The contracting officer is responsible for ensuring performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensuring that the requirements of all pertinent laws, regulations, etc. have been met, ensuring compliance with the terms of the contract, and safeguarding the interests of the United States in its contractual relationships. The contracting officer ensures that sufficient funds are available for government contractual obligation and ensures that all contractors receive impartial, fair, and equitable treatment in the solicitation process.

2. State Resources Inventory Coordinator (SRIC). The SRIC is the technical lead and is responsible for commencing and managing the project each year, which includes training notifications, data distribution, quality assurance, invoice certification, and any necessary communications with the contractor.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF WORK

Contractor shall perform data collection for the local data collection project utilizing aerial photography, web-based data entry, and other online resources on computer equipment provided by NRCS. Data will be recorded in the web-based Local Data Collection Instrument (LDSI).

Overview: This contract requires online collection of point data on cropland for a period of up to one year. These points are located within 12-14 counties in Central Valley and Central Sierra, depending upon the year. In FY2026-2027, there are 166 segments, and 400 points for data collection in the project area, including an additional 27 segments/62 points that may be from nearby counties (see Table 1). These quantities may change slightly during the data collection season.

Table 1. Project Counties FY2026-2027 NRI Local Data Collection

Area County Segments Points 3 Alpine 2 3 3 Amador 11 16 3 Calaveras 2 2 3 El Dorado 2 2 4 Kern 18 48 3 Kings 28 76 3 Madera 18 47 3 Mariposa 1 1 3 Merced 20 52 3 Nevada 1 1 3 Placer 8 20 3 Sacramento 28 70

Additional segments/points1 27 62 Total 166 400

1 Additional segments/points may be from nearby counties

Minimum data collector qualifications and requirements are as follows:

i. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Soil Science, Crop Science, or Agronomy

ii. Specific knowledge of the individual crops, crop management systems, irrigations systems, and NRCS conservation practices within each of the project area counties

iii. Experience with aerial photo interpretation in identifying crops, crop management systems, irrigation systems, and NRCS conservation practices specific to the project area counties

iv. At least two years of NRI Local Data Collection experience in the project area counties

1. Local Data Collection: The contractor shall collect data using provided NRI imagery along with ancillary aerial imagery (Google Earth Pro, NAIP imagery, etc.) and Farm Services Agency (FSA) data in the LDSI to determine current cropping information and verify cropping history. Cropping information encompasses the following factors:

a) NRCS conservation plan status

b) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) status

c) Land cover/use (crop types) for current and previous years

d) Double cropping status and crops used

e) Irrigation types, delivery methods, and sources

f) Standard conservation practices used

g) Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) crop management systems used

h) RUSLE2 support practices used

i) Wind Erosion Equation (WEQ) factors

V. Deliverables: The contractor shall complete data entry in the LDSI for each available point within a segment, then upload completed segment by saving, closing, and designating as complete. All segments within project area counties must be completed before final payment is issued.

VI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The contract is for one year of data collection. The trainings, data collections, data transmissions, and final invoicing dates are listed in Table 2 below.

Table 2. Period of Performance Training NRCS-provided training must be completed prior to commencing data collection.

Data collection Commence on or about September 15, 2026, depending on data availability. Data collection complete and all segments submitted to the LDSI server no later than December 31, 2026 (unless otherwise Negotiated).

Data discrepancies and errors Data discrepancies and/or errors must be addressed upon SRIC review and notification.

Final Invoicing No later than January 30, 2027

VII. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIALS, AND FACILITIES

1. Government Furnished Property (GFP): The NRCS will provide a laptop computer to conduct work. The laptop computer shall only be used for direct performance of the work specified in this contract. Use for purposes other than this contract is prohibited. Contractor is expected to maintain security clearance and access to hardware, software, and online applications. Laptop computer is to be returned each year by March 1.

2. Government Furnished Materials (GFM): NRCS will provide LDSI support materials including spatial data, web links, and reference documents.

3. Government Furnished Facilities (GFF): Contractor has the option to conduct the work at either an NRCS office or at Contractor’s own facility.

VIII. LOCAL DATA COLLECTION TRAINING

NRCS will provide online training for current year LDC at no charge. Contractor is encouraged to participate in order maintain awareness of updated data collection procedures. “As needed” teleconferences with the SRIC shall be scheduled as requested by either Contractor or SRIC.

IX. REVIEW PROCEDURES

Work completed by the contractor will be reviewed and approved by the SRIC.

X. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

The NRI program is based upon rigorous scientific sample survey protocols. These protocols include maintaining and protecting the integrity and confidentiality of data gathering sites.

USDA and NRCS policy states that: "The geographic locations of data gathering sites used for USDA's NRI are not public information and are to be used only for purposes of official NRI data gathering activities or for such purposes approved by the Secretary". All of the contractor's data gatherers shall sign a Confidentiality Statement under United States Code (USC), Title 18, Section 1905;use, Title7, Section 2276 and use, Title 7, Section 2240 for non-disclosure of confidential information relative to data site locations and/or private/corporate non-use of composite data. The Confidentiality Statement shall be signed prior to starting data collection (see attachment 1). The NRI data that identifies owners, operators, or data collection sites are not to be released to the public. See Attachment #2 "Confidentiality Certification and Request for Access to National Resources Inventory (NRI) Data."

XI. PAYMENT

Payment shall be made in accordance with the contract requirements at the price per unit (point) as outlined in the contract. Payment will only be made for deliverables that meet contract quality standards submitted to and accepted by the Government. Invoices for this deliverable shall be submitted against the CLIN titled “Points.”