NoticeOfIntent_EQLT_MA_AirfieldManagement.pdf

Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to direct MESA Mitigation Funding to the East Quabbin Land Trust for ecological restoration efforts at the former Tanner-Hiller Airport in new Braintree and Barre, MA

Description

Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (hereinafter “NHESP”) is by statute responsible for the protection, conservation, and recovery planning of all species listed pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA; M.G.L. c.131A) and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00), including the state-listed grassland obligate bird species (collectively, “state-listed grassland birds”) upland sandpiper (Endangered), grasshopper sparrow (Threatened), and eastern meadowlark (Special Concern).

MassWildlife announces its intent to coordinate with the East Quabbin Land Trust (EQLT) to undertake ecological restoration activities on EQLT’s property at the former Tanner-Hiller Airport located at 295 McEvoy Road in the towns of New Braintree and Barre, MA (the “Property”) for the purposes of restoring wildlife habitat, ecosystems, natural communities, and endangered or threatened species in accordance with the Action Plan for the Conservation of State-listed Obligate Grassland Birds in Massachusetts ( the “Action Plan”), which was developed by DFW and the NHESP in collaboration with the Trustees of Reservations, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Audubon Society as a statewide action plan to address declining populations of grassland birds, as one of the last remaining unmanaged and unprotected sites in Massachusetts capable of supporting these species.

The permanently protected Property, owned by the EQLT, has the potential to establish a locally significant source population of state-listed grassland birds within the greater Ware River Watershed through the expansion and enhancement of the existing sandplain grassland, as identified in the 2025 Ware River Access – Former Tanner-Hiller Airport Concept Plan (the “Concept Plan”). Both Parties have an interest in the permanent protection, restoration, and management of the Property for state-listed grassland birds and other grassland-dependent species. The Concept Plan requires selective tree removal across 26-acres to expand the existing grassland footprint at the site by approximately 10-acres and to greatly expand sightlines associated with the grassland by removing the trees in these peripheral units to increase habitat for the state-listed grassland birds

The EQLT plans to implement the concept plan in synchronization with the installation of the rail trail on the Property. EQLT has secured separate funding for the creation of a rail trail on the Property, which requires the completion of the rail trail through the Project area by June 30, 2026. The ecological restoration and the rail trail construction projects must be conducted in close coordination under the EQLT to maximize the conservation impact while not negatively impacting the EQLT rail trail project or the goals of the habitat management. As the Property owner, EQLT is the unique position to coordinate the two projects and will conduct the ecological restoration project following their process with consultation with NHESP.

MESA Mitigation funds must be used to provide a long-term net benefit to the conservation of (including but not limited to habitat restoration and management for) state-listed grassland birds.

NHESP has dedicated $100,000 in MESA Mitigation Funds (mitigation funds) to the EQLT for direct, on-the ground ecological restoration in accordance with the Action Plan, and the Property will provide a long-term net benefit for state-listed grassland birds because it will expand habitat for these imperiled species.

All work is estimated to be completed by December 31, 2026. NHESP is utilizing this Due Diligence Posting to ensure that the process is open and transparent.

Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this posting is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors. Any such vendors must own the Property and possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively synchronize the ecological restoration project in coordination with the EQLT’s Rail Trail project.

Qualified vendors experienced in selective tree removal for grassland bird habitat management are encouraged to contact EQLT to submit a quote following their bid process. Please contact Cynthia Henshaw, Executive Director of EQLT, see EQLT contact page for contact information: Contact – East Quabbin Land Trust (ww.eqlt.org).

Response Requirement and Deadline

All Interested Vendors and Offerors interested in responding to this Notice, regardless of prior communications with the Department, must submit a Response to this posting containing evidence of their qualification and interest. All required information must be submitted by 3:00PM (prevailing Eastern Time) on Monday, 04/06/2026.

If, after the posting deadline has passed, interest is generated by this Notice, the Department will review all Responses and will determine whether they will: (i) withdraw the notice and not accept the Offeror’s offer (and cancel the Notice of Intent) or (ii) accept the offer from the Offeror or (iv) accept the offer from the Offeror and from any other offerors offering similar value in their response.]

Quote Submission Method Online Quote Submission via COMMBUYS is required. All Interested Vendors and Offerors must submit Quotes online using tools available only to Sellers registered in COMMBUYS. COMMBUYS provides Seller registration functionality at no charge. To register, go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page.

COMMBUYS Quote Submission Training and Instructions The following resources are provided to assist Interested Vendors and Offerors in submitting Response or Quote to this notice:

• An online job aid on How to Create a Quote;

• Webcast video on How to Find Bids (Solicitations) and Submit Quotes (Responses) through

COMMBUYS;

• Instructor-led trainings (ILT) and live webinar sessions on “How to Locate and Respond to

Bids” may also be available. Check the OSD Training Courses schedule for Sellers/Business Entities for available locations, dates and times. Note that space is limited and pre-registration for trainings is required to attend. Follow instructions on the course schedule to register.

COMMBUYS Support https://eqlt.org/about-us/contact-us/ https://eqlt.org/about-us/contact-us/ http://www.commbuys.com/ https://www.mass.gov/doc/how-to-create-a-quote-in-commbuys/download https://app.screencast.com/g2ZDQhqpyr4M4 https://app.screencast.com/g2ZDQhqpyr4M4 https://www.mass.gov/osd-buyer-training

Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

• Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

• Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

• Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help

Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Interested Vendors and Offerors are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled maintenance hours of which all users will be notified.

http://www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys mailto:COMMBUYS@state.ma.us