Pest Plant Grazing (PWS)_Operation GOAT_Draft.pdf

PEST PLANT CONTROLLED GRAZING

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

28 JUNE 2024

PREPARED BY

MARCH ARB

DRAFT

Part 1 – General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a service contract to graze vegetation at various locations on March Air Reserve Base (ARB), CA. The Government will not exercise any supervision or control over the Contractor employees performing the services herein. Contractor employees shall be accountable solely to the Contractor, who in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.2 BACKGROUND: March ARB supports multiple Department of Defense activities. Much of the land is inundated by pest plants that need to be removed mechanically or treated chemically.

1.3 OBJECTIVES: The objective of this contract is to test the viability of controlled grazing to manage pest plants on March ARB.

1.4 SCOPE: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to apply grazing to the areas as defined in Part 3 of this Performance Work Statement (PWS). All visible leafy green vegetation within the work area shall be removed by goats down to the woody stem or removed from the ground to a height between 4-inches and 10-inches. A shepherd must be onsite at least every 3 hours between the hours of 5:00 am and 9:00 pm and every 4 hours between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. Water is available at various locations throughout the base.

1.5 GENERAL INFORMATION:

1.5.1 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall be 12 Aug – 31 Dec 2024.

1.5.2 Place of Performance: The work to be carried out under this contract will be performed at March ARB, CA, at the specific locations identified in Part 3 of this PWS.

1.5.3 Special Qualifications: The Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses and permits and for complying with any applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations in connection with the performance of the work. The contractor will also be required to have an onsite POC who is fluent in the English language.

1.5.3.1 Caseous Lymphadenitis: The contractor shall ensure all goats over 3 months old have been vaccinated for Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) within the past year. All goats are to be inspected prior to shipment/transport to March ARB for active abscesses and symptoms of CL. Those goats with abscesses or showing symptoms of CL shall not be transported and used at March ARB. Goats will be inspected every 25 to 30 days while on site for abscesses and removed from site if showing symptoms of CL. A record of vaccinations shall be provided if the COR requests one.

1.5.4 Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative (Quality Assurance Personnel):

The Contracting Officer will appoint a primary and alternate representative for management of the day-to-day activities of the contract. The identity, title, and authority of this representative will be provided in writing to the contractor after contact award.

1.5.5 Post-award Conference: The Contractor agrees to attend a post-award conference, convened by the COR, and held telephonically or in person at March ARB. This meeting will be scheduled within 14 days of contract award at a time mutually agreeable to the Contractor and the COR.

1.5.6 Contractor Quality Control: The Contractor is responsible for performing quality control activities to ensure the standards of this PWS are met. The Contractor’s Quality Control Plan is the means by which the Contractor assures itself and the COR that adequate inspections of work performance are conducted.

1.5.7 Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP), a draft of which will be provided to the Contractor for review and comment prior to implementation. If services do not conform to contract requirements, the COR may require the Contractor to re-perform such services, at no additional expense to the Government. If the defective service is not corrected in a timely manner, the Government may deduct from the invoice for each day the requirement is not met.

1.6 SAFETY:

1.6.1 Safety Requirements and Reports: The Contractor shall perform work in a safe manner as required by Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards and the Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 91-202 (10 APR 2024) and DAFMAN 91-203 (25 MAR 2022). The Contractor shall provide all necessary personal protective equipment for its employees. Provide a verbal report to the CO as soon as possible of each occurrence of damage to Government property or an accident resulting in death, injury, occupational disease, or adverse environmental impact. Provide a completed copy of required Accident Investigation Reports to the CO within five calendar days of each occurrence.

PDF versions of DAFMAN 91-202 & 91-203 are available at:

https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafi91-202/dafi91-202.pdf and https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafman91-203/dafman91-203.pdf

1.6.2 Communicable Diseases: The Contractor is responsible to ensure that all Contractor employees follow proper hygienic, disposal, and cleanliness practices.

1.7 SECURITY:

1.7.1 General Security Requirements and Guidance: The contractor shall comply with all March Air Reserve Base security directives. Security and base access requirements are contained in AFFAR clause 5352.242- 9000 “Contractor Access to Air Force Installations.” Contractor employees will be required to obtain and display identification badges. Anticipate delays in getting commercial vehicles on base and allow time for commercial vehicles to reach their destination by driving designated routes at posted speed limits throughout the base. Procedures for commercial vehicle access to the base are subject to change without prior notice.

1.7.2 Access Control Requirements: All contract personnel requiring physical access to a federal installation or facility shall comply with the access control procedures of that location. Contract personnel requiring unescorted access to meet contract performance requirements on a DoD installation in the US shall be vetted by the installation Security Office using the National Crime Information Center-Interstate Identification Index (commonly referred to as "NCIC-111") and Terrorist Screening Database (commonly referred to as "TSDB"). Contract personnel shall comply with all personal identity verification requirements specified in installation/facility policies and procedures. Contract personnel who do not meet the requirements for unescorted access will not be granted access onto March ARB.

1.7.3 Pre-screen candidates using E-Verify Program: Contractors shall comply with the requirements set forth in FAR clause 52.222-54 Employment Eligibility Verification and FAR Subpart 22.18 in using the E- Verify Program at (https://www.e-verify.gov/) (website subject to change) to meet the contract employment eligibility requirements. Contractors are encouraged to cooperate with Federal and State agencies responsible for enforcing labor requirements to include eligibility for employment under United States

DRAFT

https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafi91-202/dafi91-202.pdf https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_se/publication/dafman91-203/dafman91-203.pdf immigration laws in accordance with FAR 22.102-1(i). An initial list of verified/eligible candidates shall be provided to the COR no later than three business days after the initial contract award. When contracts are with individuals, the individuals will be required to complete a Form 1-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and submit it to the Contracting Officer to become part of the official contract file.

1.7.4 Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information, and property provided for Contractor use.

1.7.5 Security: All contractor and all associated sub-contractors employees shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures (provided by govt representative). In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by the changes clause of this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any installation or facility change, the Govt may require changes in contractor security matters or processes.

1.8 PROTECTION OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:

1.8.3 Environmental Protection: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution.

Environmental pollution is defined as the presence of chemicals, physical or biological elements, or other agents which adversely affect human health and welfare, unfavorably alter ecological balances, affect other species, or degrade the utility of the environment for aesthetic and recreational purposes.

1.8.2 Disposal of Waste Materials: All vehicles used for waste hauling will have an enclosed compartment to prevent any spillage or loss of waste. The Contractor shall remove all wastes from Project property and dispose of it in a safe and legal manner. Disposal of any materials, trash, garbage, chemicals, etc., in areas adjacent to drainage ditches, ponds, or lakes shall not be permitted. If any waste material is dumped in unauthorized areas, the Contractor shall remove the material and restore the area to its original condition.

PART 2 – CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

2.1 GENERAL: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, transportation, and services required to perform work under this contract.

2.1.1 Goats: The Contractor shall provide enough goats to complete the work between 15 Aug 2024 and 31 Dec 2024. Goats will be of a breed recognized for their grazing ability. Through coordination with the COR, some sheep may also be used to meet the vegetation removal goals. All goats and sheep will be healthy and free of disease. Goats and sheep may be brought on site using a trailer. All requirements that apply to goats will apply equally to sheep. There are areas available to park the trailer while not in use.

All goats brought onsite will be restricted from grazing any vegetation outside of the zone area. Contractors may use an electric fence or other means of keeping the goats in the work zone. Water and protection from the elements will be provided by the contractor to ensure the health of the goats while on the project.

2.1.2 Fencing: The Contractor shall provide fencing suitable to keep the goats corralled while grazing. The fence should also be suitable to keep visitors out of the grazing area. If the fence is electrified, the contractor will provide signage to alert the public to avoid any accidents.

2.1.3 Work Areas: Grazing is to be completed on the East side of March ARB at two (2) different locations. The map in Part 3 shows the work area overview. Water will be provided to the contractor via water hydrants located within March ARB. Where practical and applicable, the existing fence line may be used as a barrier to keep the goats corralled if desired.

2.1.4 Chemicals in Grazing Area: Grazing areas may have been treated with herbicide, ranging from spot treatment to boom spraying. Soil testing has not been performed in designated grazing locations.

PART 3 – SPECIFIC AREAS

3.1 – GENERAL: The contractor will be responsible for containing all goats as part of this work. Grazing does not need to be applied to the entire area of each lot at once and can be accomplished in stages. All adjacent areas and roads will be open to base personnel during this work. The contractor will be responsible for notifying the base personnel of any hazards associated with their goats or fence through signs. The goats will not have access to any natural surface water. A water trough may be used and filled up using the potable water hydrants located throughout the base.

3.1.1 – Lot 1: The contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 1. The total acreage of this is area is 4.8 acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 2,150’.

3.1.2 – Lot 2: The Contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 2. The total acreage of this is area is 4 Acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 1,800’.

3.1.3 – Lot 3: The Contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 3. The total acreage of this is area is 11 Acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 3,250’ with roughly 1,015’ of existing fence line (identified in yellow).

3.1.4 – Lot 4: The Contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 3. The total acreage of this is area is 2 Acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 1,625’ with roughly 475’ of existing fence line (identified in yellow).

3.1.5 – Lot 5: The Contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 3. The total acreage of this is area is 5.6 Acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 2,425’.

3.1.6 – Lot 6: The Contractor shall provide goats to graze the area described as the lot 3. The total acreage of this is area is 17 Acres. The perimeter of the area is roughly 5,350’ with roughly 3,470’ of existing fence line (identified in yellow).

MARCH ARB Targeted Grazing Areas Map

1.8 Protection of Government Resources: