SanLuis_invasiveplantinventory_SOW_20200721.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Invasive Species Baseline Inventory

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to provide environmental consulting service for an aerial-based invasive plant inventory at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Merced County, CA. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform environmental consulting service for an aerial-based invasive plant inventory at the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background:

A complete, baseline monitoring of invasive weeds has never been conducted on the entire refuge Complex. Refuge staff have recently completed the Invasive Species Workshop and ranked all of the priority invasive species using the Invasive Plant Inventory and Early Detection Prioritization Tool and baseline monitoring is the next step in creating an effective invasive weed management program. The results of the project will help to 1.) increase our understanding of the scope of invasion for our top weed species, 2.) refine our list of top invasive weeds for management goals and efforts in the future, and 3.) assist the refuge in prioritizing areas for weed management and control efforts.

1.3 Objectives:

Work performed under this contract will result in an inventory of invasive plants on San LuisNational Wildlife Refuge Complex and associated geodatabase (depicting the location and abundance of invasive plants). This information is essential to effectively plan and prioritize future invasive species management actions.

1.4 Scope: Conduct an aerial (helicopter) inventory of up to 17 invasive plant species at San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges during summer 2021. Contractor will perform the aerial survey after June 15, 2021 to avoid disturbance during critical overwintering season at the refuge. The contractor and the refuge will discuss and mutually agree upon inventory methods including data collection, data management, logistics and measures to avoid disturbance to sensitive natural resources. The following will apply to the refuge invasive plant inventory at a minimum:

1.4.1. Data collection standards: All information collected will follow data collection/mapping standards described in NAWMA (2002) and NAISMA (2014). San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges will be surveyed from a low-flying helicopter at an altitude of 15 to 150 feet. The survey will target up to 17 plant species within prioritized regions of the refuge that will be determined by USFWS in September/October 2020. A helicopter pilot and two observers will systematically search priority areas following a serpentine transect pattern that allows for a thorough examination of all vegetation and terrain. The swath width of transects will vary based on the density and height of vegetation, the degree of topography, and the size and detectability of the target weed species. The optimal swath width allows observers to properly identify the furthest observable target weed on two consecutive flight passes insuring that no detectability gaps exist in the search pattern. Swath widths over densely vegetated habitat targeting small or difficult to detect species may be as tight as 50 feet between passes, while swath paths over open terrain targeting large species may be as wide as 500 feet. Flight routes will be digitally recorded to ensure total coverage and avoid recounting populations. The contractor will record invasive plant occurrences using a geodatabase developed by the USFWS Region 8 Inventory and Monitoring Program and amended as needed. Data collected on individual invasive plant populations will include (at a minimum) date, observer, scientific name, management unit name, collection method, percent cover class, phenology/life stage, location (UTM coordinates), and spatial resolution.

Prior to Initiation of survey, an on-site meeting will occur between the contractor and refuge personnel to discuss and mutually agree upon

1) The spatial scope of the inventory,

2) Database structure/data standards, and

3) Data collection methods for each targeted species. Methods include:

· Point- Discrete populations with easily identifiable boundaries (circular or rectangular) will be mapped using a single data point. Length, width and percent ground cover will be recorded in addition to the above listed data collection metrics.

· Polygon- Populations with a discernable, Irregular-shaped boundary will be mapped using a polygon drawn atop a high-resolution orthophotograph.

· Grid- Widespread or diffuse populations (greater than 100-meter by 100-meter) will be mapped by estimating ground cover within a series of pre-established grid cells. The size of these grid cells will be determined during the onsite meeting.

4) Logistics and safety concerns

5) Communication methods during the inventory

6) Data analysis and final inventory report content

Invasive plant patch separation resolution, i.e. the distance between discretely mapped areas of invasive plant cover, will be determined after a review of the target survey list and initial onsite meeting.

Prior to Implementing the aerial survey, a comprehensive inventory protocol will be prepared by the contractor in consultation with the refuge. The protocol will follow the NWRS standards for protocol development. Any modifications to the protocol during the Inventory will be communicated to the refuge.

1.4.2. Target species: Up to 17 priority plant species will be targeted for inventory. A list of target species is attached (attachment 2). The contractor will have substantial knowledge of target invasive plant species (e.g., life history, appearance at various phenological stages, habitat) and is responsible for training personnel and ensuring staff are capable of identifying target species.

1.4.3. Inventory areas: Priority inventory areas have been identified in attachment 3. The contractor will survey target areas, beginning with the highest priority areas and moving into lower priority areas as resources allow.

1.4.4. Data collection and management tools: Data collection and management tools will be discussed and mutually agreed upon before collecting data. A geodatabase and associated data dictionary will be provided by the USFWS (Inventory and Monitoring Program) for use by the Contractor.

1.4.5. Inventory period and staffing: The inventory will be conducted during summer 2021, after June 15. The contractor will meet with refuge staff prior to the inventory to 1) discuss logistics, safety hazards and any access issues and 2) review sensitive resource areas and agree upon measures to minimize disturbance to sensitive natural resources.

1.5 Period of Performance: August 2020 through December of 2021.

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) found at Technical Exhibit 1. The PRS lays out the Performance Objectives, and the corresponding standards, performance thresholds and method of surveillance.

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: The Federal Government observes the following holidays. If work is to be performed on/in a government facility, please note performance cannot occur on those days. The contractor is not required to perform services on holidays.

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: If work is to be performed on/in a government facility, the contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:30-4:30 Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the government facility is closed for the above reasons.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at San Luis and Merced National Wildlife Refuges in Merced County, CA.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a Firm Fixed Price contract

1.6.7 Security Requirements: N/A

1.6.7.1 PHYSICAL Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use.

1.6.7.2 Key Control: Not applicable

1.6.7.3 Lock Combinations: N/A

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: N/A

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings:

Prior to Initiation of survey, an on-site meeting will occur between the contractor and refuge personnel to discuss and mutually agree upon

· The spatial scope of the inventory

· Database structure/data standards

· Data collection tools

· Data collection methods for each targeted species

· Logistics and safety concerns

· Communication methods during the inventory

· Data analysis and final inventory report content

Following submission of draft report and data, and subsequent review by the USFWS, the Contractor will meet with the USFWS to discuss any questions or issues raised and mutually agree on how they will be addressed.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: N/A

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor 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 contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: N/A

1.6.14 Data Rights: The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.6.15 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may effect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.7. Data Management Plan (DMP): N/A

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

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

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

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

2.2. ACRONYMS:

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The refuge will provide logistical support during the inventory to ensure Inventory areas are accessible. The refuge and the Region 8 I&M program will review the draft inventory report before it is finalized.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will provide housing facilities in the form of bunkhouse accommodations for contractor if necessary.

3.3 Utilities: N/A

3.4 Equipment: N/A

3.5 Materials:

3.5.1 The refuge will provide the contractor with available spatial data and maps to facilitate the Inventory including remote imagery, vegetation, hydrology, refuge boundaries and refuge management units.

3.5.2. The refuge will provide the contractor with a prioritized list of target invasive plant species and inventory areas.

3.5.3 The refuge and Region 8 Inventory and Monitoring will provide a geodatabase to be populated with the survey data.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: N/A

4.3. Materials: The Contractor shall furnish all materials and supplies necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS.

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall furnish all equipment necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for a baseline inventory and geodatabase of invasive plants on all or most of the refuges.

5.2. Project planning Fall 2020 by refuge staff in collaboration with contract surveyor will be completed.

Topics include:

· The spatial scope of the inventory

· Survey period

· Data sharing (such as refuge imagery)

· Database structure/data standards

· Data collection tools

· Data collection methods for each targeted species

· Logistics and safety concerns

· Communication methods during the inventory

· Data analysis and final inventory report content

5.3. Aerial Invasive Plant Survey: Contract surveyor will conduct an aerial survey and map the extent, distribution, and abundance of identified invasive species. Aerial survey will be completed in summer 2021 to avoid disturbance to sensitive wildlife species.

5.4. Geospatial Database and reporting: Contract surveyor will compile field data into a comprehensive geospatial database using ESRI ArcGIS software by fall 2021.

5.5. Refuge use of the baseline inventory will be ongoing including assisting in prioritization of species and areas to conduct control actions.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

[NAISMA] North American Invasive Species management Association. 2014. North American Invasive Species Mapping Standards. https://www.naisma.org/images/NAISMA_Mapping_Standards2014_1.pdf

[NAWMA] North American Weed Management Association. 2002. North American Invasive Plant Mapping Standards. http://www.nawma.org/Mapping/MappingMain.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2013. How to develop survey protocols, a handbook (Version 1.0). Fort Collins, Colorado: US Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System, Natural Resource Program Center. https://www.fws.gov/policy/SurveyProtocalsHB.pdf

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective (The Service required—usually a shall statement)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1

The contractor shall draft a protocol for the inventory prior to initiation of the inventory.

A draft protocol is submitted to refuge staff for review at least 1 month prior to initiating the inventory

PRS # 2

The contractor shall provide a draft geospatial database (ESRI file geodatabase) identifying distribution and extent of all observed invasive plant species identified by the aerial survey.

The geodatabase will contain Federal Geographic Data Committee Standards (FGDC) compliant metadata and follow agreed upon structure/content/standards. The draft geodatabase is submitted to the refuge for review within 90-days of survey completion.

PRS # 3

The contractor shall provide a draft report detailing survey methodology and results

Draft report submitted 90-days post survey completion.

PRS # 4

The contractor shall provide a final protocol, geodatabase, recommendations for prioritization and treatment, and report that addresses reviewer comments and questions. Contractor summarizes comments and how they were addressed or not addressed (and why).

Contractor meets with the refuge to discuss reviewer comments and questions and how they will be addressed. Final protocol, geodatabase, and report submitted within 30 days of receiving reviewer comments.

Attachment 2- List of priority weeds for inventory

1. Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

2. Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)

3. Salt cedar (Tamarix spp)

4. Alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

5. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

6. Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

7. Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

8. Russian thistle (Salsola tragus)

9. Five Hook Bassia (Bassia hyssopifolia)

10. Common reed (Phragmites australis)

11. Stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens)

12. Pampasgrass (Cortaderia selloana)

13. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)

14. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)

15. Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca)

16. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

17. Black mustard (Brassica nigra)

Attachment 3