Invasive-Non-Native_Species_Survey_Scope_of_Work.docx

Statement of Work (SOW)

For the Invasive and/or Non-Native Vegetation Survey for the Pilot Town Tract at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Baldwin County, Alabama

A. Introduction.

a. The Contractor shall conduct surveys and mapping of invasive and/or non-native vegetation found in the ‘Pilot Town Tract’ provided in the map below (Figure 1). The tract is approximately 73.43 acres.

b. The product of this work will produce a baseline for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) development of an invasive and/or non-native vegetation removal contract in the same area.

Figure 1. Pilot Town Tract boundary totaling approximately 73.43 acres.

B. Background Information.

a. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was established in 1980 with the passage of P.L. 96-927. The Refuge’s main objective is the preservation of fragile barrier island habitats along the Alabama Gulf Coast currently threatened by the steady encroachment of residential and commercial development. The Refuge currently consists of approximately 7,300+ acres, most of which are located along the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The Little Pont Clear Unit, on which the Pilot Town Tract is located, consists of approximately 1,990 acres (Figure 2). The Pilot Town Tract was recently acquired in fall of 2023 and added approximately 73.43 acres to the Refuge.

Figure 2. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The image above shows the Little Point Clear Unit on which the Pilot Town Tract is located.

C. Services To be Performed.

a. Invasive and/or Non-Native Vegetation Survey.

i. Survey the 73.43 acres of the ‘Pilot Town Tract’ to determine occurrences and extent of invasive and/or non-native vegetation in the area. Surveys performed should be through a series of transects, no greater than 50 feet apart and covering the terrestrial area within the ‘Pilot Town Tract’ portrayed in Figure 1. Ground sampling and mapping for invasive and/or non-native species can be conducted using generally accepted sampling methods including, but not limited to, point, transect, swath, plot, or combination of methods. Surveyors should be familiar with the following non-native species: Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera), Cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), and Torpedo grass (Panicum repens). The Contractor will be required to document the location and extent of any invasive and/or non-native species occurring within terrestrial portions of the survey area.

b. Survey Report.

i. Produce a geospatially referenced map illustrating locations of invasive and/or non-native vegetation infestations. Surveyors should each be equipped with a handheld GPS with track logging enabled. Geospatially reference data should be in a readily available geospatial file format such as .gpx or .shp with the following information:

1. Polygons and/or point data (whichever is most appropriate), of each invasive and/or non-native vegetative infestation.

2. Any imagery collected for mapping purposes.

3. Track logs associated with each surveyor for each survey period.

ii. Summary of the sampling methods with completed field data sheets used in the survey. Additionally, estimated total infestation sizes, separated by species. For example: 2.4 acres of cogon grass were documented; 1.7 acres of torpedo grass; 24 individual spot infestations of Chinese tallow.

D. General Information.

a. Meeting.

i. Within 10 calendar days of the fully executed contract, the Contractor will meet with USFWS staff to discuss project logistics. Prior to the beginning of any activities, the Contractor’s field personnel shall complete an initial site visit to the Pilot Town Tract. The site visit will allow field personnel to see the project area and discuss site conditions.

ii. USFWS staff:

1. Jackie Sablan – Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge – Refuge Manager

2. Charmaine Pedrozo – Gulf Restoration Office – Project Manager

3. Kara Barcomb – Gulf Restoration Office – Contracting Officer’s Representative

b. Period of Performance.

i. 30 days from Notice to Proceed (NTP) between May 2024 and October 2024. This time period is the growing season for the invasive and/or non-native species.

c. Equipment.

i. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform the invasive and non-native vegetation survey of the Pilot Town Tract as defined in this Statement of Work. The Contractor shall perform to the standards of this contract.

ii. The Contractor shall not use Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (AUS) for this survey.

--END OF SCOPE OF WORK--

image1.png image2.jpeg