S01 FBO3 12FPC120Q0036 Att1 Statement of Work B-FATS.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

WETLAND ENHANCEMENT SERVICES

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS)

I. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this contract/purchase order is to obtain services in the State of Pennsylvania (PA) for Wetland Easement Vegetation Enhancement Services for properties located in Franklin County.

Description of services for each site is listed below.

II. BACKGROUND

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) NRCS has authority to administer voluntary conservation easement programs. Depending on the program, NRCS is authorized to acquire easement rights from participating landowners to achieve program purposes such as restoring and protecting wetlands, grasslands, and forest land resources and restoring and enhancing floodplains. NRCS is the lead agency within the United States Department of Agriculture charged with administering these programs.

III. SCOPE

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work and applicable regulations to provide Wetland Enhancement Services for the associated properties. The services entail the following:

1. Conservation Cover (327) – site preparation and planting of native warm season grasses with wildflowers

2. Tree/Shrub Site Preparation (490) – site preparation for establishment of containerized shrub stock

3. Tree/Shrub Establishment (612) – planting of containerized shrub stock

4. Upland Wildlife Management (645) – mowing of native warm season grasses for upland wildlife habitat establishment

IV. STANDARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor shall follow the Statement of Work, applicable regulations, and conservation practice standards to provide Wetland Enhancement Services for the associated property. The contractor will notify the landowner prior to each site visit for restoration. The landowner will remove cattle from the site to keep them safe from herbicide application.

The individual Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications can be found at https://

Solicitation 12FPC120Q0036 Statement of Work and Conservation Maps and Specifications

Page 1 of 9 Pages efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov. The Contractor will be provided with a copy of the Conservation Practice Standards and Specifications upon acceptance of bid. Other specifications specific to this contracted work are listed in Section V., Description of Services of this Statement of Work.

Please see Attachment 1, B-FATS Conservation Plan Map; Attachment 2, B-FATS WRP Planting Guide for the field location, number of acres scheduled for treatment, and planting lists. The Contractor is responsible for implementing all Wetland Easement Enhancement Services in compliance with Conservation Practice Standards.

The Contractor is responsible for having current knowledge of requirements of Pennsylvania state law associated with the services being solicited.

The Contractor will attend the pre-implementation meeting with the NRCS representative(s). The discussions and decisions shall be documented by the NRCS and the Contractor.

The Contractor will effectively communicate to NRCS the status of the Wetland Easement Enhancement Services, beginning with the start of the first practice and through to completion. The contractor will must notify NRCS field office at least 24 hours before proceeding with the first treatment.

Scheduling conflicts will be communicated ahead of time. Any changes or modifications to the planned treatment acres will be communicated to and approved by NRCS.

The Contractor will be a licensed herbicide applicator. All herbicide applications must be done according to the instructions on the herbicide label.

The Contractor will carry out activities during appropriate weather conditions so that herbicide treatment is effective.

Within 14 days of practice completion, the Contractor will submit the following Records of Application documentation to NRCS:

1. Extent of practice application (i.e. number of acres) and corresponding map

2. List of materials and methods used for practice implementation (see more specific deliverables for each practice below) and estimated hours of labor

Specific documentation for deliverables is listed below:

Conservation Cover

• Plant species planted- seeding rate per acre

• Dates of planting with planting method

• Location of plantings

• Chemicals applied (also carriers/surfactants, if used)

• Rate of application

• Method of application, including general equipment used

Tree/Shrub Site Preparation

• Plant species controlled and percent kill of target species

• Dates of treatment

Page 2 of 9 Pages

• Chemicals applied (also carriers/surfactants, if used)

• Rate of application

• Method of application, including general equipment used

Tree/Shrub Establishment

• Shrub species planted- shrub numbers per cluster

• Dates of planting with planting method

• Location of plantings

V. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

1. Fannettsburg Site ADDRESS: 10163 Wineman Rd, Fannettsburg, PA 17224

327- Conservation Cover- Field 2

Establish permanent warm season grass and wildflowers where indicated on the WRPO map using certified seed for the species and amount per acre as listed on the attached planting guide. Species to establish include but not limited to Little bluestem, Sideoats grama, Coneflowers, Blanketflowers, Big bluestem, and Switchgrass. Utilize the seed mix at a rate of 15 pounds per acre. Certified seed must be used when establishing the practice. Establish the conservation cover using the following methods:

burndown of existing vegetation with at least 2 treatments of a non-selective herbicide (July 15 and September 30) and conduct a dormant season (November-March) planting with a no-till warm season grass drill. An Imazapic herbicide will be used for 1 follow up herbicide treatment for control of undesirable vegetation. Proper identification of Switchgrass seedlings is important. Post-establishment herbicide cannot be applied until Switchgrass reaches 4-leaf stage of development.

490- Tree/Shrub Site Preparation- Field 2

Prepare shrub planting by utilizing non-selective herbicide to control existing vegetation in a 3-foot diameter at each flagged shrub location within areas mapped as Group 1 and Group 2. Site preparation will be conducted at least 3 weeks prior to shrub planting.

612- Tree and Shrub Establishment- Field 2

Establish native shrubs in areas labeled as Group 1 and Group 2, as indicated on the WRPO map, to provide wildlife habitat; improve and restore natural diversity; and enhance aesthetics of the restored wetland.

Establish shrubs by utilizing 2-gallon containerized stock. All shrubs will be procured from nurseries with in a 75-mile radius east of Tuscarora Mountain. Shrubs will be planted in clusters with 25 shrubs per cluster. Areas prone to short-term saturation will be planted to species listed in Group 1 on the attached page. Areas prone to prolonged saturation will be planted to species listed in Group 2 on the attached page. Shrubs will be established in association with Tree/Shrub Site Preparation. For more detailed regarding species selection, site preparation requirements, and maintenance requirements, refer to the information provided as part of the attached planting guide and the implementation requirements for Tree and Shrub Establishment. Shrub planting will occur in

Page 3 of 9 Pages

October to capitalize on soil moisture and rainfall events. All shrubs will be hand-watered immediately after planting. Offset fencing will also be installed around the shrub planting as a deterrent to deer attempting to browse the shrubs. Fencing will consist of polywire or ½” wide poly tape and fiberglass posts. The shrubs will be fenced with 2 concentric lines of fencing spaced 3 feet part. The outer line of fencing will be 2 strands with the wire set at 15 inches and 42 inches off the ground. The inner line of fencing will be 1 strand with the wire set at 30 inches off the ground. No energizer for the fencing is required.

645- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management- For continued establishment and development of the upland wildlife habitat area, the planted area will be mowed one time after the critical period for ground nesting birds. Mowing of the area will take place in September-October. The minimum required stubble height is 6-8 inches.

VI. PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES:

The time spent to perform these items shall vary depending on the complexity of the site and the competence of the contractors involved.

VII. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor shall:

Requirements for applying conservation practice Conservation Cover, Tree/Shrub Site Preparation:

1. The person(s) performing or supervising the work must be a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator. Any person(s) working under the supervision of the Certified Commercial Herbicide Applicator must be a Registered Pesticide Technician.

VIII. CIVIL RIGHTS AND PROGRAM DELIVERY

By signing this contract the Contractor assures the USDA that the program or activities provided for under this agreement will be conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal civil rights laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Any and all information gained through this Statement of Work or in the process of carrying out the Wetland Enhancement project are to be held confidential between the Contractor, NRCS, other designated partners and the landowner unless released by the landowner.

Information gained may not be shared with others and are considered private to the landowner. The Contractor will protect the privacy of information collected during the technical assistance process according to the provisions of Section 1619 of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008.

IX. CONTRACTING OFFICER (CO)

The designated Contracting Agency for this Statement of Work is NRCS. All administrative matters regarding this Statement of Work shall be directed to either the Contracting Specialist:

Danny Mandell, Contract Specialist Section 1 - Northeast Region

Page 4 of 9 Pages

FPAC - BC Acquisition Division Phone: (254) 742-9923 Email:

danny.mandell@usda.gov

Only the CO may authorize changes to this Statement of Work.

X. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE (COTR)

The designated COTR for this Statement of Work is Dan Ludwig. All deliverables and technical matters regarding the work involved in this Statement of Work shall be directed to the COTR at the following address:

Dan Ludwig, Resource Conservationist USDA NRCS, Lebanon Technical Office 2120 Cornwall Road, Suite 4 Lebanon, Pennsylvania 1704216214 Phone: 717-376-3490 Email:dan.ludwig@usda.gov

Solicitation 12FPC120Q0036 Statement of Work and Conservation Maps and Specifications

Page 5 of 9 Pages mailto:dan.ludwig@usda.gov

Client(s): ROBERT S WOODS Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Conservation Plan Map- Practice Detail Assisted By: DAN LUDWIG

USDA - NRCS

CHAMBERSBURG SERVICE CENTER

Date: 4/7/2020

Field 2 Protected

16.6 ac

WRP

Group 1 Shrubs 6 Clusters

Field 1 Protected

16.4 ac

WRP

Group 2 Shrubs 5 Clusters

0 400

Feet

USDA-NRCS-NGCE & USDA-FSA-APFO

Prepared with assistance from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

Conservation Practice Polygons

Tree/Shrub Establishment (612)

Practice Schedule PLUs

Page 6 of 9 Pages

Client(s): ROBERT S WOODS Location: Farm 2829

Tract 6880 Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Conservation Plan Map Assisted By: KRISTOPHER GOETZ

USDA-NRCS

CHAMBERSBURG SERVICE CENTER

Date: 3/30/2020

Field 2

16.6 ac.

Associated Ag Land Protected

WRP

Field 1

16.4 ac.

Associated Ag Land Protected

WRP

0 400

Feet

USDA-NRCS-NGCE & USDA-FSA-APFO, Copyright:© 2016 Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, TomTom

Prepared with assistance from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

Conservation Practice Polygons

Conservation Cover (327)

Practice Schedule PLUs

Page 7 of 9 Pages

B-FATS - WRP Restoration/Enhancement 2020 Imazapic NWSG & Shrubs

Imazapic Tolerant Seed Mix- 15 lbs/acre

35.0% Andropogon gerardii, ‘Niagara’ (Big Bluestem, ‘Niagara’) 5.25 lbs

15.3% Panicum virgatum ‘Cave-In-Rock’ (Switchgrass, ‘Cave-In-Rock’)* 2.30 lbs

15.0% Schizachyrium scoparium, 'Camper' (Little Bluestem, ‘Camper’) 2.25 lbs

5.0% Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) 0.75 lbs

4.0% Linum perenne ssp. lewisii (Perennial Blue Flax) 0.60 lbs

3.5% Chamaecrista fasciculata, PA Ecotype (Partridge Pea, PA Ecotype) 0.53 lbs

3.0% Chrysanthemum maximum (Shasta Daisy) 0.45 lbs

3.0% Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Coreopsis) 0.45 lbs

3.0% Gaillardia aristata (Perennial Gaillardia (Blanketflower)) 0.45 lbs

3.0% Gaillardia pulchella (Annual Gaillardia (Indian Blanket)) 0.45 lbs

3.0% Rudbeckia hirta, (Blackeyed Susan, Coastal Plain NC Ecotype) 0.45 lbs

2.0% Desmanthus illinoensis (Illinois Bundleflower) 0.30 lbs

2.0% Ratibida pinnata, OH Ecotype (Grey Headed Coneflower, OH Ecotype) 0.30 lbs

1.0% Coreopsis tinctoria (Plains Coreopsis) 0.15 lbs

1.0% Liatris spicata (Marsh Blazing Star) 0.15 lbs

0.5% Baptisia australis, (Blue False Indigo, Southern WV Ecotype) 0.08 lbs

0.4% Monarda fistulosa, (Wild Bergamot, Fort Indiantown Gap-PA Ecotype) 0.06 lbs

0.3% Aster novae-angliae, PA Ecotype (New England Aster, PA Ecotype) 0.05 lbs

15.02 lbs

Add Nurse crop – 1 bushel oats/ac.

*- No tolerance to imazapic herbicide prior to 4 leaf stage

Natural Resources Conservation Service 185 Franklin Farm Lane STE 202

Chambersburg, PA 17202

(717) 446-8566

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Helping People Help the Land

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Page 8 of 9 Pages

Group 1 Shrub Planting – ~0.9 acres – ~150 shrubs

- 6 shrubs of each species per cluster- 6 clusters planted

Group 2 Shrub Planting – ~0.8 ac – ~125 shrubs

- 5 shrubs of each species per cluster- 5 clusters planted

Red-osier Dogwood Cornus sericea

Elderberry Sambucas candensis

Chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa, prunifolia, arbutifolia

Nannyberry Viburnum lentago

Cranberry bush Viburnum trilobum

*- Primary species to plant based on availability

**- Secondary species to plant based on availability of Paw paw; mix of Paw paw and Hazelnut is acceptable

B-FATS - WRP Restoration/Enhancement 2020 Imazapic NWSG & Shrubs

Blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium 36 ea

Paw paw* Asimina triloba 36 ea

Hazelnut** Corylus Americana balance to reach 36 Paw paw

American Plum Prunus Americana 36 ea

American Crabapple Malus coronaria 36 ea

Natural Resources Conservation Service 185 Franklin Farm Lane STE 202

Chambersburg, PA 17202

(717) 446-8566

An Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Helping People Help the Land USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Page 9 of 9 Pages