Crew Master Agreement Announcement .pdf

Office: California State Office – Master Crew Cooperative Agreement Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: L22AS00232 Project Submission Dates and Times: 04/18/2022 thru 05/18/2022, 5PM, PST

Project Title: California Master Crew Cooperative Agreement to Provide Natural and Cultural Resource Project Statewide

This opportunity is to award 1-3 Master Agreement for crew’s opportunities statewide. Once awarded program offices will place task agreements against the master agreement terms and conditions to request for interns for their office.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) encourages Indian tribes under 16 USC 1727b that qualify as a youth or conservation corps to apply

The master agreement awards will have a period of performance of five-years. California has an estimate of $500,000 in FY22 to spread among the master agreements via task agreements. Incremental funding for future years is subject to availability.

These master agreements will fund up to an estimate of 25 crews yearly, ranging between 2-3, 3-4, 5-6 members in each crew and at times depending on the project more. These crews will be assigned to various field offices throughout CA. The crews will be varying disciplines, depending upon the field offices' individual needs. Disciplines and projects could include, but is not limited to:

• Enhancement of recreation opportunities through trail building, maintenance and restoration, and other improvements to visitor and recreation facilities (e.g., kiosks, campgrounds, signage etc.).

• Monitoring riparian area vegetation and hydrological functions, collecting soil and stream data, timber stand improvement projects for wildlife habitat and overall forest health.

• Habitat restoration and wildlife protection, including reduction of invasive species, tree planting, fence removal/installation, riparian area restoration, etc.

• Development and implementation of natural and cultural resource stewardship plans or educational and informational materials for visitors.

• Preservation of cultural resources, including historic structures.

• Seed collection for restoration of lands affected by natural disasters such as catastrophic wildfires and landslides; as well as protection, conservation, and restoration of threatened, endangered, and special status species with the goal of preventing or de-listing of species.

• Reduction of wildfire risk to communities, watersheds, and other public land ecosystems.

• Production of materials and programs on natural, cultural, and/or paleontological resources, communication, education, and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

Award Objectives: BLM CA offices have multiple opportunities to introduce crews to careers in the BLM under the various natural and cultural resource programs. These opportunities provide work experience to youth for their career and educational benefit. This will be accomplished by providing them opportunities to gain experience, learn about public lands, further their understanding and appreciation of natural resources.

From this they will gain an increased appreciation and understanding of our public lands and of the value of public service and are likely to become life-long advocates for those values. The projects will be especially appropriate for a student studying natural and cultural resources and will provide opportunities to enhance basic career skills such as organization, writing, detail, and communication, well as field skills.

BLM’s Involvement for both Master Agreement and Task Agreements: There will be substantive BLM programmatic involvement by BLM professional that will work daily side by side with recipient on all projects and also be providing project orientation and hands-on training. BLM will have the right to intervene by modifying the project management plan, if project is not staying on schedule, technical issues arise, etc. In addition, BLM and recipient will meet weekly to discuss progress and track project outcomes;

review any training needs; and then make a decision what direction to take in finalizing project or move to the next phase.

Proposal Submission: Refer to attachment A as a suggested format to this NOFO. Proposal should address a master agreement with clear outcomes over a five-year period.

Budget Detail and Narrative: Refer to Attachment B as suggested format to this NOFO.

NOTE: BLM is looking for a pay scales for crew’s wage or stipend based on location with a five-year budget plan to include inflation by types of crews e.g., 2-3 with crew leader, 3-4 with crew leader, 3-4 with crew leader, also include standard project expense.

This may be submitted on a separate form either in excel or word format.

Helpful Information when Submitting your Proposal and Budget.

• Work schedule: Most crews will work Monday – Friday, generally 8 AM to 5 PM, for up to 12 months, with flexible start/end dates. Weekends might be required, but would be offset by extended time off, as appropriate (e.g., hitches of 10 consecutive days on followed by 4 consecutive days off).

• Housing: BLM will not provide housing but may be able to assist in locating appropriate housing/camping locations and facilities. A monthly housing allowance is not required but suggested due to the high housing costs in California.

• Food: BLM will not provide food when out in the field working.

• Vehicle: A government vehicle may be available for field work and stored at the applicable Field Office. In the event a government vehicle is not available, and the task order project is a field-going position, BLM will approve a rental or leased vehicle for the intern(s) needing an off-road capable vehicle (4x4) that is able to travel on remote, difficult, dirt routes.

NOTE: A personal vehicle is NOT required for the position but is strongly encouraged as it makes the applicant's days off much more enjoyable. BLM will not reimburse for personal vehicle use.

• All Supplies: BLM will provide most of the tools and equipment required to complete projects such as computer, laptops, GPS units, cell phones, hand tools, etc., tents and camping supplies, if applicable.

• Travel: Travel and overnight camping may be necessary to complete projects.

• Training Requirements: BLM may provide project-specific training.

Award Expected Outcomes:

• Place up to 25 crews throughout BLM CA yearly.

• Plan and implement projects promptly.

• Recruit crew members located in an area economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.

• Recruit, when possible, crew members in the local area of the project, if economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged area members are not available.

• Outreach to Indian Tribes to provide tribe members an opportunity to work on public lands.

• Provide non-competitive hiring status to crew member when completing 640 hours of which 120-hours must be on public lands.

BLM Program Officer Contact:

Field PO Name: Brian Novosak Field PO Phone Number: 916-978-4636 Field PO Email: bnovosak@blm.gov

Additional Program Contact:

Field PO Name: Briana Halstead Field PO Phone Number: 707-245-7648 Field PO Email: bhalstead@blm.gov

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the full program announcement number L22AS00232 posted on Grants.gov for all program requirements and applicable terms and conditions. Recipients selected for awards will be required to adhere to those requirements should an award be made.

mailto:bnovosak@blm.gov mailto:bhalstead@blm.gov