Auburn University Request for Proposal

Red-cockaded woodpecker monitoring support, Military Ocean Terminal, Sunny Point, N.C.

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. Objectives 2

1.3. Period of Performance 2

1.4. Quality Control 2

1.5. Recognized Federal Holidays 2

1.6. Hours of Operation 3

1.7. Place of Performance 3

1.8. Security Requirements 3

1.9. Special Qualifications 3

1.10. Other Qualifications 4

1.11. Key Personnel 4

1.12. Service Provider Personnel 4

2. Definitions and Acronyms 5

2.1. Definitions 5

2.2. Acronyms 5

3. Government Furnished Items and Services 6

3.1. Materials 6

4. Service Provider Furnished Items and Responsibilities 6

4.1. General 6

4.2. Materials 6

4.3. Equipment 6

5. Specific Tasks 6

5.1. General 6

5.2. Task 1: Project Management 7

5.3. Task 2: RCW Cavity Tree Updating 7

5.4. Task 3: Breeding/Reproduction Monitoring 8

5.5. Task 4: Fledgling Monitoring 8

5.6. Task 5: Adult Monitoring and Banding 8

5.7. Task 6: Habitat Management 9

5.8. Task 7: Provisioning 9

5.9. Service provider deliverables 9

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1 10

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2 11

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3 12

Section II: Instructions to Proposers 13 Section III: Form of Proposal 14 Section IV: Evaluation Criteria 15 ATTACHMENT A –Pricing Sheet 17 ATTACHMENT B – Insurance Addendum 18

Section I. Request for Proposal

Statement of Purpose

Auburn University (AU) is seeking to contract with a service provider capable of providing red-cockaded woodpecker monitoring support to the Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Military Ocean Terminal, Sunny Point, North Carolina (MOTSU).

Scope of work

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal service agreement to provide all professional and technical support staff necessary to plan and conduct Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) activities. The service provider shall cooperate with the Technical Representative (TR) at MOTSU and follow standard procedures and protocol required by service providers working on MOTSU.

1.1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/INTRODUCTION: The service provider shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform RCW monitoring as defined in this Scope of Work (SOW), except for those items specified as Government Furnished Property (GFP) and services.

1.2. OBJECTIVES: MOTSU provides habitat for the threatened (federally and state-listed) Red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates borealis) (RCW). The MOTSU Integrates Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) requires annual monitoring of the installation’s RCW population. The purpose of this contract is to conduct monitoring of the RCW population on MOTSU during 2026-2027, to provide consultation support for establishment of RCW recruitment clusters, to provide forestry support/habitat management services to promote the growth and health of protected species habitat, and to install and maintain artificial cavities within clusters as required by the INRMP and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

1.3. Period of Performance: 12 September 2026 to 11 September 2027.

1.4. QUALITY CONTROL: Quality Control is the responsibility of Auburn and the service provider. Auburn and the service provider are responsible for the delivery of quality services/supplies to 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.

1.4.2. Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the service provider’s performance under this agreement.

1.4.3. Property Management System: The service provider shall establish a system to manage Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) in its possession to control, use, preserve, protect, repair and maintain.

1.5. 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 Martin Luterh King Jr’s Birthday

Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth Holiday Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6. HOURS OF OPERATION: The service provider shall be responsible for conducting business between the hours of 0500-2200 Monday through Sunday, 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. When hiring personnel, the service provider should keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.7. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The work to be performed under this agreement will be completed at MOTSU (Technical Exhibit 1).

1.8. 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.

1.8.1. Physical Security: The service provider shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for the service provider’s use if applicable.

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

1.8.3. Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures: All service provider personnel performing work under this agreement 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.

1.9. SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

1.9.1. Personnel performing work under this agreement shall be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language to effectively carry out all agreement 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 public.

1.9.2. Service provider personnel performing work under this agreement shall be U.S. citizens.

1.10. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: The service provider shall possess and provide Auburn and MOTSU with a copy of all required permits for RCW banding activities. Required permits shall include Federal Endangered Species Authorization, State Endangered Species Permit, and Federal Bird Banding Lab Permit as well as Auxiliary Marking Authorization for color banding specifically in North Carolina Coastal Plain.

1.10.1. The service provider must provide copies of all required permits for RCW banding activities and present a detailed description of RCW banding experience. Required permits include a Federal Endangered Species Authorization, North Carolina Endangered Species Permit, and a United States Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Permit with an Auxiliary Marking Authorization for color banding RCWs. In addition to permits authorizing the handling and banding RCWs, the service provider’s permits must authorize capture and transfer (translocation) or RCWs as well as installation of artificial cavities (drilled cavities and starts and cavity inserts).

1.11. KEY PERSONNEL:

1.11.1. 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 of this person, and an Alternate PM (APM), who shall act for the service provider when the PM is absent, shall be designated in writing. The PM or APM shall have full authority to act for the service provider on all agreement matters relating to daily operation of this agreement. The PM or APM 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.

1.11.2. Qualifications of Key Personnel:

1.11.2.1. Program Manager (PM): The PM shall meet or exceed the following minimum qualifications: The PM shall have a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Biology/Wildlife/Zoology with a minimum of 15 years’ work experience in RCW biology, research and conservation.

1.11.2.2. Biological Technicians: Shall be adequately trained and qualified in RCW banding techniques, monitoring, and data management while working under the contractor’s permit.

1.12. SERVICE PROVIDER PERSONNEL:

1.12.1. Service provider personnel attending meetings 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 their participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.12.2. Service provider personnel shall develop, maintain, and provide to the Technical Representative (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 ten (10) calendar days after commencement of the notice to proceed.

1.12.3. Service provider personnel shall meet the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity.

They shall ensure their personnel do not perform work under the influence of alcohol, illegal prescribed drugs, or any other incapacitating agents. Service provider personnel shall always present a professional appearance.

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the SOW.

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

2.1.3. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP) OR GOVERNMENT PROPERTY (GP). Property in the possession of or directly acquired by the Government and subsequently made available to Auburn.

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

2.1.5. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. System established by Auburn that is used to manage GFP/GFE in its possession to control, use, preserve, protect, repair, and maintain.

2.1.6. 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.

2.1.7. WORKDAY. The length of time during the day on which the service provider provides services, in accordance with the contract.

2.1.8. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified.

2.1.9. CAVITY START TREE. A tree containing one or more active or inactive RCW cavities or cavity starts.

2.1.10. CLUSTER. The aggregate area encompassing cavity trees (plus a 200ft buffer zone) occupied or formerly occupied by an RCW group.

2.1.11. BUFFER TREE. A tree with a sign posted on it that says you are 200 feet from a cavity tree which represents the boundary of the cluster.

2.1.12. ENDANGERED SPECIES. The following endangered species are found on Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall: Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii), Rough-leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulifolia), and American chaffseed (Schwalbea Americana).

2.1.13. SITES. Synonymous with endangered species sites and refers to a static location on the ground such as a RCW cavity tree, cluster of cavity trees, a population of endangered plants, etc.

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 service provider will be provided with information required to accomplish the tasks in this SOW prior to the Period of Performance start date. Additional materials will be provided to the service provider as requested. MOTSU will provide copies of all design drawings, if needed, for any agency correspondence. Any additional materials provided should come at no additional cost to the government.

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.

4.2. MATERIALS: The service provider shall provide transportation and fuel required to perform the work necessary to meet the requirements under this SOW.

4.3. EQUIPMENT: The service provider shall provide equipment required to meet the requirements under this SOW.

5. SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1. GENERAL: All tasks shall be conducted by the service provider in accordance with the appropriate sections and appendices of the USFWS Recovery Plan for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis), Second Revision, dated January 27, 2003 (https://www.fws.gov/species/red-cockaded-woodpecker-dryobates-borealis) and (https://www.fws.gov/node/68083 ) the MOTSU Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.

5.2. TASK 1: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING:

https://www.fws.gov/species/red-cockaded-woodpecker-dryobates-borealis https://www.fws.gov/species/red-cockaded-woodpecker-dryobates-borealis https://www.fws.gov/node/68083

5.2.1. Kick-off Meeting: The service provider shall attend a kick-off meeting in person with Auburn and the MOTSU TR within 20 work days of the period of performance start date. At minimum, the service provider shall be prepared to discuss the work schedule, communication plan, service provider personnel roster, status of applicable permits, and other issues that could impact completion of the specific tasks.

5.2.2. Annual USFWS Meeting: The service provider shall attend the annual USFWS/Army RCW coordination meeting (with or without MOTSU NRM/DPW POC) as a representative for the interests of MOTSU. The meeting date(s) and location varies annually.

5.2.3. Periodic Progress Meetings: Progress meetings will be held at the request of Auburn, the MOTSU NRM, DPW Point of Contact, or the service provider as required to prevent unforeseen issues from impeding accomplishment of tasks described in this SOW.

5.2.4. Project management includes coordination and scheduling with Auburn, the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC, meetings with the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC and other natural resources personnel or contractors on-site, review of findings, management and organization of all data, all aspects of reporting including quality assurance/ quality control, project tracking, staff scheduling and administrative services (phone calls, letters, invoicing, budgeting, etc.).

5.2.5. Monthly Progress Reports: The service provider shall submit monthly progress reports to Auburn and the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC by the 10th day of the following month until all work is complete. The reports shall be in brief memorandum format and will document work performed/ completed to date. Percent completion of the work will also be indicated in these reports.

5.2.6. Invoicing: The service provider shall submit monthly invoices with an accompanying monthly progress report to cover the activities of the previous month. Auburn cannot pay the service provider for services they have not provided.

5.3. TASK 2: RCW CAVITY TREE UPDATING:

5.3.1. Prior to the start of nesting season (mid-April), the service provider shall update the stage (sub-start, start, advanced start, recently completed or completed), shape (normal, enlarged, atypical, healed over), activity status (active, inactive, possibly active, inactive or relic), and habitat data (see TE-1 below) of approximately 340 known RCW cavity trees within 24 RCW clusters on MOTSU (Technical Exhibit 2). The updated data will be recorded and compiled in a Trimble GeoExplorer® Series GPS unit data dictionary.

5.3.2. During visits to RCW clusters (Technical Exhibit 2), the service provider shall look for new or previously unknown cavities and/or start trees. When new cavity trees are located the stage, shape and activity status (as described above), cavity height and direction, pine species, diameter at breast height (dbh), tree age, tree height, whether the tree is a flat-top or not, deformities, and habitat data will be recorded on hard copy data sheets. GPS coordinates (+/- 3 meter accuracy) will be recorded. This data will be recorded and combined with existing cavity tree data and included in the attributes of the MOTSU RCW cavity tree ArcGIS shapefile. All cavity tree data and documentation will be compiled and prepared for delivery to the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC in an ArcGIS shapefile format.

5.3.3. Newly found cavity and start trees found within RCW clusters on MOTSU will be marked for easy recognition. Cavity trees will be painted with 2 white bands no more than 4 inches wide and no more than 8 inches apart. Bark will only be scraped lightly to remove loose bark. The bands will be centered approximately 4-6 feet from the base of the tree. A uniquely numbered small metal tag will be affixed to the cavity tree, 180 degrees from the original RCW cavity/start location for monitoring and identification purposes. The painted white bands on cavity trees will be maintained at all times (i.e. repaint, if needed).

5.3.4. The service provider shall maintain a painted 200-foot cluster buffer of all cavity trees associated with each of the MOTSU RCW clusters. As new RCW cavity trees and/ or clusters are found within clusters the service provider shall maintain and/ or update the cluster buffer. If an existing 200-foot cluster buffer requires updating and/ or reconfiguration, the existing white painted buffer trees shall be painted with brown paint and the new buffer trees shall be painted with a single white band/ ring. The updated 200-foot cluster buffers shall be geolocated (i.e. GPS'd) and a shapefile will be delivered to the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC.

Cluster buffers will be updated in the fall or as needed.

5.4. TASK 3: BREEDING/REPRODUCTION MONITORING:

5.4.1. The service provider shall monitor RCW reproduction during the 2027 nesting season within known active natural and recruitment clusters (RCW) on MOTSU. This shall include nest/egg checks at 9–11-day intervals and banding of all nestlings between 5 and 10 days old (as required by USFWS). Reproduction monitoring shall begin with nest/ egg checks in mid-April. Nest checks shall continue until 15 July to document potential second broods.

5.4.2. Banding of nestlings and recording of related data shall be performed in accordance with appropriate protocols set forth by the USFWS and the USGS Bird Banding Lab.

5.5. TASK 4: FLEDGLING MONITORING:

5.5.1. The service provider shall conduct fledgling checks for each banded brood between 2 and 14 days after the projected fledging date (26 days after estimated hatching date). Using a spotting scope, the general health and sex of each fledgling will be observed. If all potential fledglings are not seen during the first fledgling check, the RCW group will be checked a second time, with a maximum of 2 fledgling checks per cluster. All fledgling checks shall be completed by 31 July.

5.6. TASK 5: ADULT MONITORING AND BANDING:

5.6.1. The service provider shall identify leg band combinations of adult RCWs observed within all active clusters at MOTSU. Adult RCW observations may be accomplished during breeding season cluster visits, fledgling checks, and/or morning/evening group follows. A list of known adults associated with each RCW group (group composition list) shall be compiled for all active clusters at MOTSU. The group composition list shall include the age, sex, natal group and band combination of each member of a group. If a non-breeding adult is unbanded, it can be banded during the breeding season. If a breeding adult is unbanded, banding shall be delayed until after nestlings have fledged. All adults should be banded by 31 December 2025.

5.6.2. Banding shall be performed in accordance with appropriate protocols set forth by the USFWS and the USGS Bird Banding Lab.

5.6.3. Monitoring Reporting Requirements:

5.6.3.1. The service provider shall compile all RCW breeding season monitoring, banding and adult group composition data of all monitored MOTSU RCW clusters into a short summery report and submit it to Auburn and the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC by 31 August.

5.6.3.2. The service provider will prepare the required State and Federal RCW monitoring and banding permit reports for submittal to MOTSU and appropriate agencies. These reports include an annual USFWS Endangered Species Banding report, USFWS RCW Population Monitoring report (DART report), USGS Bird Banding report, NC Endangered Species report, and an NC Bird Banding report. Required report documents shall be submitted prior to 31 January of the next calendar year (i.e. 2050 data shall be compiled and submitted prior to 31 January 2051).

5.6.3.3. The service provider or their designated Subcontractor shall immediately inform the MOTSU TR and USFWS personnel of RCW injury or mortality encountered during accomplishment of this work.

5.7. TASK 6: HABITAT MANAGEMENT:

5.7.1. The service provider shall provide support to the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC in conducting habitat management services. Assistance to be provided may include, but not necessarily be limited to, coordination with the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC regarding timber harvests, guidance on habitat management practices and related protected species management requirements, marking timber for thinning in accordance with the USFWS RCW Recovery Plan, and/ or calculation of timber inventory, volumes, and basal areas. All timber inventory will be submitted to MOTSU NRM/DPW POC in MOTSU written and GIS format. In addition, RCW foraging habitat analyses and USFWS consultation may be required due to MOTSU infrastructure projects that may arise. This assistance shall be provided as needed and spread out over the duration of the contract.

5.8. TASK 7: PROVISIONING:

5.8.1. The service provider shall work with the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC to identify locations for installation of drilled cavities/starts and/or cavity inserts as needed in case of mortality, storms, etc., to maintain 4 quality cavities per cluster per the 2003 RCW Recovery Plan. Up to 15 drilled cavities or starts and/ or cavity inserts shall be installed annually, following coordination with the MOTSU NRM/DPW POC. Maintenance of all previously installed and newly installed artificial cavity inserts shall be conducted between 1 August and 31 December, or as needed.

5.9. SERVICE PROVIDER DELIVERABLES:

5.9.1. All digital files and final hard-copy products will become the property of MOTSU and shall not be issued, distributed, or published by the service provider without written permission from the TR.

5.9.2. Text information shall be provided to the MOTSU staff in Microsoft Word format and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Spreadsheet files shall be provided to Auburn and MOTSU staff in Microsoft Excel format.

5.9.3. All GIS data generated related to accomplishment of the work shall be provided to MOTSU in ArcGIS geodatabase format. Geodatabases shall be projected in the North Carolina State Plane Feet NAD83 coordinate system.

5.9.4. All correspondence/ reports to USFWS prepared on behalf of MOTSU shall be provided to MOTSU POC for review and signature prior to final submittal. The MOTSU POC shall be copied on all written correspondence and email generated in support of this contract and provided telephone call summaries.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1: MOTSU VICINITY MAP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3: MOTSU RCW CLUSTER MAP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3: HABITAT ASSESSMENT AND CODES

The following discussion of habitat assessment and codes should be followed during annual RCW tree updates and while collecting data for new RCW cavity/start or provision tree.

1. The habitat codes in general are used to measure any midstory encroachment to the cavity/start tree, in full circle around the cavity tree and at a distance of 0-50 ft. and 51-200 ft. from the cavity tree. When assessing the surrounding area, capture the habitat conditions that constitute the greatest impact to RCW. Determine the general species type with the greatest impact.

For example:

• Code 1 is for hardwoods

• Code 2 is used when pines are the worst habitat problem, usually a pocket of pines within 50 ft of the cavity tree and blocking the entrance to cavity or start.

• Code 3 denotes “shrubs” and is used in instances when trees are in or next to drains and the presence of shrubs is more of a problem than surrounding hardwoods or pines.

• Code of 0 means there is no trees or shrubs within 50 or 200 ft. of the cavity tree (grasses, open areas).

2. When assessing midstory Density, measure midstory conditions surrounding the tree in the full circle around the cavity tree and at a distance of 0-50 ft. and 51-200 ft. from the cavity tree.

• Code 0 denotes an absence of midstory.

• Code 1 - “sparse”; midstory trees have a spacing >20 ft.

• Code 2 - “moderate” and the spacing of midstory trees is 10-20 ft.

• Code 3 - “dense”, is midstory trees with a spacing of less than 10 ft.

3. The Height codes are used in conjunction with density specifically to assess any midstory encroachment problems. For example, a low density with low height midstory is not as serious a problem as would be moderate to dense density with heights over 10 ft.

• Height code 0 denotes none and should only be used with grasses or open areas.

• Code 1 is for encroachment of 1-5 ft

• Code 2 is for 6-10 ft

• Code 3 is for 11-15 ft

• Code 4 is for encroachment greater than 16 ft

4. There is also a comment to denote whether a cavity or start tree is in or next to a drain. “No” denotes that the tree is not in or next to a drain, and Yes, indicates that it is.

HABITAT DATA CODES

HABITAT & TRAINING EVALUATIONS ARE WITHIN 50’ & 51-200’OF CAVITY TREES

SPECIES DENSITY HEIGHT (feet) In/Next to Drain

1 Hardwood 1 Sparse 1 1 to 5 Yes 2 Pine 2 Moderate 2 6 to 10 No 3 Shrub 3 Dense 3 11 to 15 0 None 0 None 4 16+

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 employ an unauthorized alien within the state of Alabama, Furthermore, a contracting party found to be in violation of this provision shall be deemed in breach of the agreement and shall be responsible for all damages resulting therefrom.”

• Read and comply with all instructions, specifications, General Terms and Conditions, and Bid Conditions.

Section III. Form of Proposal

Proposal Format

• Proposal should be submitted in MS Word® and/or Adobe PDF® formatting only.

o If there is any information or required submittals, which due to size limitations cannot be incorporated following the preferred formatting, please note for the evaluator where the information can be found in response.

Paginated Format

• Cover Letter o The proposer shall provide a cover letter describing a brief history of the

Proposer and its organization. The letter will list the Principal or Officer of the organization who will be the University’s primary point of contact for clarifications or during negotiations.

• RFP Response o Describe, in detail, how the proposer plans to successfully complete the tasks listed in section 5 and address the University’s requirements.

o List and provide an explanation for any conditions of the Scope of Work which the proposer is unable or unwilling to complete.

o Highlight the company’s expertise o Names and qualifications of key personnel.

• Pricing o Official Bid Price Sheets (See Attachment A)

• Experience o A listing of other projects/customers similar in size and scope to the services described in the RFP. This list must include the name of the customer and the name, telephone number, and email address of an appropriate contact for each customer.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting

Department of Army installations will be considered most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting Department of Defense other than Department of Army installations will be considered second most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting federal government departments outside the Department of Defense will be considered third most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting state and local governments will be considered fourth most applicable experience.

Successful completion of projects of similar size and scope supporting private entities will be considered fifth most applicable experience.

Section IV. Evaluation Criteria

• In awarding the contract, the University may take into consideration the skill, facilities, capacity, experience, ability, responsibility, previous work, reputation, financial standing of the bidder or respondents, and the amount of other work being carried on by the bidder. The inability of any bidder to meet the requirements mentioned above may be cause for rejection of proposal.

• Selection shall be made in the best interest of the University. An Agreement will be awarded to the successful respondent who, in the opinion of the University, has best demonstrated competence and qualification for the type of services required at fair and reasonable prices/compensation and whose proposal is deemed to be in the best interest of the University.

• Where contract negotiations with a respondent do not proceed to an executed contract within a time deemed reasonable by the University (for whatever reasons), the University may reconsider the proposals of other respondents and, if appropriate, enter into contract negotiations with one or more of the other respondents. Proposals shall remain valid and current for the period of 90 days after the closing date and time for submission of proposals.

• The respondent and University agree that time is of the essence in all respects concerning the award of contract and performance hereunder.

• Individuals from the Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment will form the evaluation committee for this RFP. The University shall determine the award after evaluating each response on the following points.

1. Pricing – 50%

• Supplier having the lowest overall cost in dollars.

• Attachments A-F must be completed and submitted with proposal to be considered eligible.

2. History and Past Performance of the Company – 50%

• Relevant experience

• Demonstration of the selected supplier’s prior successful experience with the specified activities

• References

• Names and Qualifications of key personnel

Attachment A – Pricing Sheet

Proposer pricing is requested for the items below. The services to be provided for each item are defined in the Scope of Work of this RFP.

Task Category Cost ($) Task 1: Project Management Labor

Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Task 2: RCW Cavity Tree Updating

Labor Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Task 3:

Breeding/Reproduction Monitoring

Labor Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Task 4: Fledgling Monitoring Labor

Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Task 5: Adult Monitoring and Banding

Labor Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Task 6: Habitat Management Labor

Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total

Task 7: Provisioning Labor Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Total Totals Labor

Equipment Materials/Supplies Travel

Subcontractor Grand Total

ATTACHMENT B – Auburn University Insurance Addendum

Within forty-eight (48) hours after bid or PO is submitted to the supplier, the apparent low bidder must submit an approved Insurance Certificate to the Owner. The Contractor shall procure at its own expense and maintain without interruption during the entire term of this contract, insurance of the kinds and limits listed hereunder. Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), or industry equivalent, Certificates of Insurance, and Additional Insured Endorsements issued by the contractor’s insurance carrier shall be furnished to Auburn University before beginning work and shall include the following additional insured endorsement:

"Auburn University, its Board of Trustees (individually and collectively), Administrators, Faculty, Designer of Record, Alabama Department of Finance, Division of Construction Management (DCM), Staff, Employees, and Agents are named as additional insureds in respect to General, Umbrella, and Automobile Liability.

All contractors and subcontractors must include United States Army as an additional insured party.

Coverage afford the Additional Insureds is Primary and Non-Contributory except for Employer's Liability and contain no exclusions of the additional Insureds relative to job accidents. Policies are endorsed to include a Waiver of Subrogation in favor of Auburn University. Thirty (30) days notice of cancellation applies (ten (10) days notice for non-payment of premium) in favor of Additional Insured."

The insurance coverages required under this contract are minimum insurance limits required and are not intended to limit the responsibility or liability of the Contractor. If any subcontractors are used to fulfill this contract, they, or the General Contractor on their behalf, shall carry the same coverages and limits of insurance outlined herein. It shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to ensure compliance of this requirement.

a. Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Insurance:

i. Workers’ Compensation insurance shall be written in accordance with statutory coverage required by the State of Alabama. A self-insurer must provide a certificate issued by the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations stating the contractor is qualified to pay its worker’s compensation claims.

ii. Employer’s Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Bodily Injury by Accident $1,000,000 each accident

2. Bodily Injury by Disease $1,000,000 each employee

b. Commercial General Liability Insurance:

i. $1,000,000 each accident

ii. $1,000,000 each employee

iii. Commercial General Liability Insurance shall be written on an occurrence form and shall provide at minimum the following limits:

1. Each Occurrence $1,000,000

2. General Aggregate $2,000,000

3. Products-Completed Operations Aggregate $2,000,000

4. Contractual Liability $1,000,000

5. Personal & Advertising Liability $1,000,000

6. Damage to Rented Premises $100,000

iv. Policy must cover all activities to be performed by the Contractor, including explosion, collapse, excavation, and underground work.

v. Policy shall be endorsed to be Primary and Non-Contributory to any insurance held by Auburn University.

c. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance:

i. Commercial Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written to include coverage for bodily injury and property damage arising from ownership, maintenance or use of all owned, non-owned, leased, hired automobiles.

ii. Automobile Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Combined Single Limit $1,000,000

d. Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability Insurance:

i. The Commercial General Liability and Commercial Automobile Liability limits specify above may be satisfied though a combination or primary and umbrella/excess liability policies written on a follow form.

e. Environmental Liability Insurance:

i. Environmental Liability Insurance will be provided IF the contractor will be handling hazardous or toxic products. Contractors’ needing this coverage including, but is not limited to, transportation or disposal of explosives, nuclear materials, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) materials, pesticides, fungicides, and oil; installation or removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks; asbestos abatement; and lead abatement.

ii. Environmental Liability Insurance shall provide Contractors Environmental Impairment Liability/Pollution Legal Liability shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Each Claim $1,000,000

2. Annual Aggregate $2,000,000

iii. Claims made policies must include a three-year reporting period or coverage must be provided for up to two (2) years after the completion of a project.

f. Professional Liability Insurance:

i. Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Liability will be required if the contractor is acting as a licensed professional while performing a service for Auburn University. Licensed professionals include but are not limited to Architects and Engineers.

ii. Professional Liability/Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance shall be written with minimum limits of:

1. Each Claim $1,000,000

2. Annual Aggregate $3,000,000

iii. Claims made policies must include a three-year reporting period or coverage must be provided for up to two (2) years after the completion of project.

g. Policy Providers:

i. All insurance coverage shall be issued by an insurer licensed as an admitted insurer or authorized by the Alabama Insurance Commissioner of Insurance as a surplus line’s insurer. The Insurance Company must have a minimum of current A.M. Best’s rating of A-, Class V.

h. Notification Endorsement:

i. Each policy shall be endorsed to provide that the insurance company agrees that the policy shall not be canceled, materially changed, allowed to lapse, or allowed to expire until Auburn University has received thirty (30) days of written notice. Renewal certificated shall be sent to Auburn University within five (5) days following the renewal or any expiration date of coverage.

i. Deductibles:

i. A contractor may elect to secure an insurance program with a deductible or self-insured retention (SIR) of up to $25,000 without prior approval from the University. Any deductible or SIR larger than $25,000 must be approved by the University. Contractor may be required to furnish audited financial statements to determine the contractor’s financial ability to absorb the obligation of a deductible or SIR without material impact on the solvency of the contractor.

j. Waiver of Subrogation:

i. Auburn University requires that all policies of insurance for liability related to this agreement be on a primary and noncontributory basis as respects any other insurance and/or self-insurance carried by the University. In all instances, any commercial insurance and/or self-insurance maintained by Auburn University shall be excess. Unless precluded by law, a waiver of subrogation in favor of Auburn University shall be included on all insurance policies maintained by Contractor.

k. Impairment of Liability:

i. In the events the insurance program required by Auburn University were to have any pending claim(s), which may limit or exhaust any aggregate limits by more than 20%, Auburn University shall be notified within thirty (30) days. Auburn University may require additional insurance or reinstatement of the limits of liability as necessary to protect the financial interest of the University.

l. Duty to Provide Copies of Insurance Policies:

i. Auburn University shall be entitled, upon request and without expense, to receive copies of policies and endorsements thereto and may make any reasonable requests for deletion or revision or modification or particular policy terms, conditions, limitations, or exclusions except where policy provisions are established by law or regulations binding upon either of the parties or to underwrite such policies.

m. Notice of Incident:

i. Contractor shall inform Auburn University Risk Management and Safety of all incidents and/or accidents that occur on Auburn University premises or that might otherwise give rise to a claim against Auburn University and shall be responsible for providing appropriate written notification. Such notification shall be provided as soon as reasonably possible but will not exceed twenty-four (24) hours after Contractor is aware of the incident/accident.

n. Indemnity Provisions:

i. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Contractor shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Auburn University, its Board of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, and Agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, arising out of, related to, or resulting from performance of services under this contract, regardless of whether such claim, damage, loss or expense is caused in part, or is alleged but not legally established to have been caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of a party indemnified hereunder.

The supplier agrees to the insurance requirements and will submit with the required backup to the department within 48 hours of the Purchase Order being issued. The department will keep these on file and upload the required backup in the PO comments for backup.

Supplier Name

Supplier Contact

Signature

Date

Insurance Addendum_2_9_26_Env.Liability_NOTrequired