Draft PWS_Bayview Invasives Management.docx

(DRAFT) Aquatic Invasive Species/Noxious Weed Control, ARD Bayview

Performance Work Statement (PWS) Aquatic Invasive Species/Noxious Weed Control, ARD Bayview

Introduction and Background Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) Bayview is a Navy operated facility located on Lake Pend Oreille in Bayview, Idaho. In recent years, aquatic invasive plant species such as Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus), and curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) have been invading the nearshore habitat of Lake Pend Oreille. The removal of aquatic invasive species is mission critical at ARD Bayview to maintain critical habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA); 16 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1531 et seq. A recent survey by Idaho Fish and Game (2020) indicated that much of the areas to be treated are in or near kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) spawning grounds; kokanee are a primary prey species for bull trout. During their survey, IDFG observed siltation in areas where milfoil is present, while they observed clean gravels in most of the non-vegetated areas which provide better habitat for kokanee spawning. Additionally, these invasive plants can cause issues with fouling boat motors and impeding access to Navy shorelines.

In removing these invasive plants, ARD Bayview is supporting the testing mission, providing benefit to threatened bull trout, and implementing its Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) pursuant to the Conservation Programs on Military Lands Act (Sikes Act); 16 U.S.C. 670a et seq.

Aquatic invasive plant removal occurred in 2016, 2022, and 2023 along the ARD Bayview shoreline. In 2022 and 2023, these areas covered an estimated 40,000 square feet of invasive plants between and around in-water structures and docks within the 1500 feet of shoreline at ARD Bayview (Attachment 1). Continued maintenance is necessary to address regrowth and prevent reestablishment of these destructive plants.

PART 1. Goal and Objectives The Contract goal is to identify and remove all aquatic invasive plants at ARD Bayview.

Objectives for the project include the following:

1. Identify all of the locations of aquatic invasive plants to be removed on site.

1. Remove all aquatic invasive plants from the site and dispose of the plants properly.

1. Provide a brief summary of the work conducted, including the species found, estimation of number of stems of invasive plants removed, simple maps of the removal locations, and future treatment recommendations following each treatment.

PART 2. General Information

2.1 Description of Services: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide aquatic invasive plant removal. The Contractor will provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision and other items and non- personnel service necessary to perform ecological services as defined in this contract. The contractor will perform to the goals and objectives defined above and meet the standards in this contract.

2.2 Period of Performance:

Base plus 4 Option Years

2.3 Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in alignment with the Performance Requirements (Attachment 2).

2.4 Description of Tasks

Task 1. Meetings

1. The Contractor shall schedule a project kickoff meeting within 15 calendar days of the start of the Period of Performance. Attendees will include the Navy COR, ARD Bayview NRM, and Contractor Project Manager. Other appropriate staff from either agency may also attend, as identified by the project leads.

a. Contractor PM will provide a draft Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM) at a minimum of three days prior to the kickoff meeting. The POAM will provide a schedule for all project tasks to include start and end dates.

b. Navy will provide feedback on the POAM at the kickoff meeting.

3. All contractor personnel security badging must take place prior to the first scheduled plant removal date and prior to each awarded option treatment. The security badging instructions will be provided upon award.

Task 2. Management Actions

1. The Contractor shall remove aquatic invasive vegetation from the ARD Bayview shoreline. Annual removal activities include the following tasks:

a. Qty: 2 events annually; first treatment to occur before curly leaf pondweed turions develop, estimated in June, and second treatment after Eurasian milfoil emergence, estimated in August

i. The contractor will determine all of the locations to be treated at the site before starting the removal process.

ii. The contractor will provide divers to remove all of the invasive aquatic plants including roots and attempt to limit any dispersal while avoiding the removal of all native plant species. No herbicides shall be used in any of the treatments.

iii. All aquatic invasive plants removed from the water must be removed from the site and disposed of on an upland area at ARD Bayview where dispersal is unlikely. No invasive plants can be transported across state boundaries for any reason.

NOTE: In order to implement an adaptive management approach, certain actions may be increased and others may be decreased year to year; however, overall level of effort is expected to remain steady.

Task 3. Reporting

1. After the completion of each treatment, the Contractor shall prepare a brief email summary of the total work performed which: 1) identifies the total area covered and includes documentation of the area in a simple map; 2) summarizes the species identified and estimated number of stems removed; 3) summarizes the total hours required for treatment; 4) identifies “lessons learned” or proposed changes to the management regime in subsequent years.

a. The Contractor shall submit the email summary to the Navy within 30 days of the completion of each treatment.

b. Email shall state “Funded by U.S. Navy under Contract #X.”

2. Within 30 days of the completion of each treatment, the Contractor shall provide all files associated with the treatment in native file format (e.g., photos).

2.5. General Project Guidance:

2.5.1: Contractor provision: The Contractor shall provide all necessary labor, management, supervision, tools, materials, equipment, transportation, meals, and lodging to complete this project. All Contractor equipment (including vehicles) is subject to inspection and approval.

2.5.2: Program actions: The Contractor will conduct all necessary program management actions to ensure this delivery order remains on schedule and within budget.

2.5.3: Communication of issues: Contractor will coordinate the work to be accomplished with the Navy COR in the specified work area. Contractor will respond to requests for information on status updates from the Government and will communicate any issues on a timely basis to the COR and NRM with corrective actions. Only the Navy contracting officer has the authority to direct the contractor regarding time, money, or level of work or any modifications, thereof.

2.5.4: Compliance with laws: All work conducted in support of this project shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws. (e.g., ESA). If there is an incident that the Contractor believes may involve “take” of an endangered species that results from an activity not listed on the permit, the Navy COR and ARD Bayview NRM shall be notified immediately. Example: A bull trout being injured or killed during the treatment.

2.5.5: Identification of Contractor Employees: All Contractor personnel are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression that they are Government officials.

2.5.6: Media response: The Contractor shall not respond to any inquiries about this project from the news media, non-governmental organizations, and/or other persons during the term of this agreement unless the agency has first consulted with the Navy. All inquiries shall be directed to the NAVSTA Everett Public Affairs Officer and the Navy COR:

1. All work products from this project must be approved by the NAVSTA Everett Public Affairs Officer prior to public release, including, but not limited to, scientific presentations and publications.

2. Throughout the term of project, the Navy shall be afforded the opportunity to review computer or paper files of raw data, prepared data (such as data analyses, summaries, maps, figures, tables, etc.), or any record deemed appropriate by the Navy in establishing the Contractor’s performance in fulfilling the requirements of this contract.

2.5.7: Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the Contractor of performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of any problems. These meetings will be at no additional cost to the government.

2.5.8: Personnel Safety: The Contractor is responsible for maintaining compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, while ensuring personnel are trained for tasks and equipped with appropriate protective equipment.

2.6 Special Qualifications:

1. Contractor must have the ability to obtain proper security clearance to be on Navy property.

2. Contractor must have demonstrated experience removing freshwater aquatic invasive plants in the Pacific Northwest region (at least 5 years).

3. Contractor must have demonstrated experience identifying and differentiating between freshwater native and invasive plant species.

4. Contractor divers must have proper dive certifications and demonstrate safe diving practices.

5. Contractor must demonstrate proper disinfecting practices on all equipment to prevent the further spread of invasive species.

2.7 Navy Responsibilities:

1. Coordinate site access for Contractor, including assisting with badging requirements and providing proper Security protocols.

2. Participate in project coordination efforts.

3. Review and approve all documents prepared by Contractor in a timely manner.

4. Respond to any questions or request for information from contractor within three business days.

PART 3: Attachments Attachment 1 – 2022 and 2023 Treatment Areas where invasive vegetation was removed along ARD Bayview shoreline

Attachment 1. 2022 and 2023 Treatment Areas where invasive vegetation was removed along ARD Bayview shorelinEA) 2023 Treatment Areas B) 2022 Treatment Areas image1.jpeg image2.png