Sol_140FS124Q0159.pdf

Stillwater NWR Invasive Plant Inventory SOLICITATION NO. 140FS124Q0157

FWS

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a request for Quotes for an invasive species plant inventory located at Stillwater and Fallon National Wildlife Refuges in Fallon, NV. The anticipated performance period is from 10/1/2024-March 2026. The contract will have both base and optional tasks.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is a TOTAL SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE and is conducted under the procedures of FAR Parts 12 and 13, incorporating provisions and clauses in effect through Federal

Acquisition Circular 2022-06. The NAICS code is 813312 and the small business size standard is $19.5

Instructions All responsible small business sources may submit a quote, which shall be considered by the agency.

Award will be made as a firm-fixed-price contract. The basis of award is the tradeoff method, where consideration of price and the additional evaluation factors described on the next page will result in the selection of the quote most beneficial to the government. Award will be made to a responsible source pursuant to FAR subpart 9.1. Options will be evaluated in accordance with FAR provision 52.212-2 – Evaluation -- Commercial Items.

Please submit:

1. Your quotation (showing unit and total price for all tasks and optional tasks/locations) on company letterhead;

2. Supporting documentation for all additional evaluation factors listed on the next page;

3. SAM.gov UEI code;

4. Point of contact: phone number and e-mail address.

5. If your company holds a GSA contract that would apply to this requirement, please provide the contract number.

Quotes Due: 09/05/2024 by 5pm Pacific E-Mail Quote Submission: chelsea_devivo@fws.gov

In order to have a quote considered for award, respondent must be registered at the System for Award Management (SAM) website (https://www.sam.gov) as an active vendor by the time quotes are due.

Additional Evaluation Factors:

Factor 1-Technical Approach: Technical approach contains sufficient detail to determine if the offeror provides a sound, compliant approach that meets the requirements of the statement of work and demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of those requirements. The offeror shall demonstrate the ability to provide well-formatted, edited, succinct, and cohesive deliverables. The submission lists all risks, assumptions, exclusions, and dependencies inherent in the proposal.

Factor 2-Project Schedule: The offeror shall provide information on the team’s project scheduling capabilities. Identify how your team will implement the schedule to manage this project. Discuss internal procedures for handling delays to minimize “schedule creep.” Identify ways offeror will manage labor and other resource constraints in an effort to reduce costs and provide an achievable and flexible schedule.

Factor 3-Key Personnel: The offeror shall provide resumes with specific experience and qualifications relevant to this project for each key personnel member that you are proposing to work on this project. Each resume should include any professional certifications, licensing, etc.

that would support completion of the tasks identified in the SOW. Resumes shall not exceed 1 page in length.

Factor 4- Relevant Experience: Provide a description of similar projects completed within the last 5 years, including work with the Service, NOAA, or other federal agencies that exhibit the offeror’s ability to perform to completion a project of comparable scope and complexity.

Factor 5- Past Performance. Contracting staff will evaluate past performance records available in government systems (SAM/CPARS/FPDS/ETC).

The importance of the evaluation factors above, when combined, will be considered equal to price.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Inventory and Mapping of Select Invasive Plants in the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. GENERAL: This is a firm, fixed price contract to provide an aerial or ground based inventory and mapping of select invasive plants in the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (STL NWR, Technical Exhibit 2) with an option to complete the same scope of work for Fallon National Wildlife Refuge (FLN NWR, Technical Exhibit 3) pending available funding. 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 inventory and mapping of select invasive plants at the STL NWR and FLN NWR 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: Both STL NWR and FLN NWR were established to conserve migratory bird habitat and maintain biodiversity within the Great Basin ecosystem. The STL NWR is approximately 89,000 acres of wetland and upland dessert shrublands (Technical Exhibit 2). FLN NWR is approximately 17,000 acres of upland desert habitat with intermittent wetlands that occur only during flood years (Technical Exhibit 3).

Invasive plants can affect the quality of habitats for native, endemic species. Developing a current inventory of the distribution of invasive plants is a critical first step towards active control and adaptive habitat management. Extensive invasive plant control efforts have previously been completed over the years, but a current inventory is needed to strategically target treatments in the future. This project will cover an invasive species inventory for the priority species at Stillwater and Fallon National Wildlife Refuges that were identified during their recent prioritization workshop. Products from this inventory will assist the Refuge in completing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan and form the basis for future management goals and strategies on the refuge.

1.3 Objectives:

The objectives of this project will be to complete an inventory for invasive plant species to document the distribution and abundance of priority invasives plant species and determine presence of a select number of early detection species for the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Survey objective This survey assesses wetland and upland ecosystem health at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex by estimating invasive distribution and abundance. The refuge uses distribution and abundance estimates to inform annual habitat management planning decisions on invasive treatment for subunits at the refuge. In addition, this survey is used to create a baseline understanding of invasive infestation at the refuge to compare to future distribution after management actions. These results will be used to create an IPM plan.

Management objective (or strategic objective) By 2025 document the abundance and distribution of 15 target invasive species within Stillwater and potentially Fallon National Wildlife Refuges.

Sampling objective An inventory of 15 priority invasive plant species will be completed in STL NWR with an option to include FLN NWR. An initial list of 15 priority invasive plant species targets from the STL NWRC Prioritization Workshop in 2023 will be refined in collaboration with refuge staff and agency partners to integrate threats that have emerged since the results of the workshop (Technical Exhibit 4).

1.4 Scope:

The 15 final plant targets and a specific survey design including data collection and analysis methods will be proposed in a draft protocol for review and approval by the refuge manager and regional staff. The inventory protocol template developed by the Region 8 Inventory and Monitoring Program and the Invasive Species Program should be used to guide protocol development. Project deliverables will include quarterly progress reports, an inventory protocol, a file geodatabase housing survey observations including USFWS-required data elements and associated metadata, and a final report including distribution maps for individual species along with recommendations for priority control efforts.

The contract will include line-item bids for the cost to complete the described scope of work for both:

A. Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge B. Fallon National Wildlife Refuge

1.4.1. Data collection standards:

All information collected will follow data collection/mapping standards described in Technical Exhibit 5 R8 Invasive Biotic Observation Minimum Specification (iBOMS) as informed by NAISMA (2014). Should Fallon and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge be aerially surveyed, it will be from at an altitude of 15 to 150 feet where appropriate. The survey will target up to 15 plant species within prioritized regions of the refuge that will be determined by USFWS in conjunction with the contractor during the planning phase.

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:

a. Point – Discrete populations with easily identifiable boundaries (circular or rectangular with 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.

b. Polygon – Populations with a discernable, irregular-shaped boundary will be mapped using a polygon drawn atop of a high-resolution orthophotograph.

c. 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 planning meeting.

A comprehensive inventory protocol will be prepared by the contractor in consultation with the Refuge to meet USFWS protocol standards. Any modifications to the protocol during the inventory will be communicated to the refuge.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance (POP) will start NLT one month after contract award. Contractor is required to be ready to perform services within one month of contract award. The period of performance will be 18 months from POP start date.

1.6 General Information: Should Fallon and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuges be aerially surveyed; the contractor will be required to coordinate air space with the Naval Air Station-Fallon before performing any aerial surveys.

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 how they assure themselves that their 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 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: The contractor is not required to perform services on holidays.

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth National Independence Day Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 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.

The Contractor must always maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The field work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge outside Fallon, NV, noting limitations in site availability discussed in Part 4. The data processing work to be performed under this contract will be performed at contractor facility which is the office where the contractor is employed.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a firm fixed price contract.

1.6.7 Security Requirements: Not Applicable

1.6.7.1 PHYSICAL Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured.

1.6.7.2 Key Control. In general, the Refuge is accessible during normal business hours.

Contractor will be provided with keys or combinations to locked gates as needed.

1.6.7.3 Lock Combinations: Not Applicable

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: The contractor is responsible for ensuring all employees are well versed and proficient in identifying possible plant species occurrences in the Great Basin ecoregion region.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

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 regarding 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: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government:

the contract manager and surveyors. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons. Qualifications for all key personnel are listed below: the key personnel must be able to correctly identify and map invasive plant species in the field, operate vehicles and technology needed to conduct surveys in the field, compile and organize data in required formats, write a draft and final report detailing project activities, results, and required recommendations.

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. Contractor personnel will not be required to obtain or wear identification that is supplied by STL NWR.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: Not Applicable

1.6.14 Other Direct Costs: Not Applicable

1.6.15 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.

1.6.16 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 affect 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.

1.6.17 PHASE IN /PHASE OUT PERIOD: Not Applicable

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, 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 if 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 a product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters 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:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative AFARS Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement AMNWR Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge AR Army Regulation CCE Contracting Center of Excellence CFR Code of Federal Regulations CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf DA Department of the Army DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report) DD254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center DOD Department of Defense EDRR Early Detection Rapid Response ERS Ecological Restoration Specialist FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation GBI Great Basin Institute HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 iBOMS Invasive Biotic Observation Minimum Specification IPM Integrated Pest Management KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs PIPO Phase In/Phase Out POC Point of Contact POP Period of Performance PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TE Technical Exhibit STL NWR Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge STLC Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex FLN NWR Fallon National Wildlife Refuge NWRC National Wildlife Refuge Complex

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The government may provide initial on-site orientation and refuge access coordination as needed. All contractors coming into the proposed project site must undergo an STL NWR decontamination protocol orientation conducted by Refuge staff.

3.2 Facilities: Not Applicable

3.3 Utilities: Not Applicable

3.4 Equipment: Not Applicable

3.5 Materials: The government may provide transect/refuge maps as needed.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall provide all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS. If survey is to be an aerial survey, Fallon and Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge will be surveyed from at an altitude of 15 to 150 feet where appropriate and safe. The contractor will be required to coordinate air space with the Naval Air Station-Fallon before performing any aerial surveys. The survey will target up to 15 plant species within prioritized regions of the refuge that will be determined by USFWS in conjunction with the contractor during the planning phase.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not Applicable

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

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

4.5 Availability of Work Site: The Contractor shall adhere to the following cautions and limitations regarding access to the work site.

Cultural resources may be located throughout the refuge. In accordance with the Archeological Resources Protection Act (16 USC 470aa), the disturbance of archeological or historical sites and the removal of artifacts is prohibited. The excavation, disturbance, collection, or purchase of historical, recent, ethnological, or archeological specimens or artifacts is prohibited.

No soil disturbing activity may be performed outside the water body delineation. If necessary for the survey methods, ATV use must be mindful to minimize soil and vegetation disturbance surrounding each water body and tracks leading to and from roads to water bodies.

Field staff will be mindful of the risk of fire and current fire hazard levels throughout the fire season. Avoid parking or idling motorized equipment on or over dry vegetation.

The contractor will coordinate timing of field surveys with refuge staff, with concerns during the spring and fall, as to avoid nesting birds and hunting.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for the completion of the requirements set forth in the PWS.

Inventory protocol:

o An invasive species inventory survey protocol for a complete inventory of 15 priority invasive plants within the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge will be submitted for review and approval by the Refuge Manager and regional staff.

Existing published protocols or methods are preferred and should be proposed where available. Parameters of the protocol will include:

Contractor will collaborate with refuge staff and agency partners to refine initial list of 15 priority invasive plants (Technical Exhibit 4) from the STLC Invasive Species Prioritization Workshop to incorporate new threats that have emerged since the workshop was conducted in 2023;

Utilize ground or aerial-based visual surveys to locate, identify and map 15 priority invasive species within the entire Stillwater NWR with an option to do the same at Fallon NWR;

Incorporate a survey design sufficient for a thorough inventory of the priority invasive plants throughout the refuge;

Observations will be recorded either as points for individual plants or polygons with estimates of percent cover for larger patches. Specific criteria in terms of plant density or percent aerial coverage for mapping individual plant locations versus patches will be specified;

Two or more field personnel proficient in identifying the indicated invasive species will conduct surveys;

Survey timing will coincide with the phenology of the 15 target species for maximum identification accuracy and probability of detection.

Data collection:

o All locations collected shall have estimated position accuracy of 5 meters or less, either real-time or post-processed. Data collected shall include estimated position accuracy of point locations and identify the methods/equipment used to determine positions.

o Contractor shall provide all data collected, including individual observation points or polygons and survey tracklog lines, in an ESRI File Geodatabase. This data shall be accompanied by metadata meeting either ISO 19139 Metadata Implementation Specification GML3.2 or FGDC-CSDGM standards.

o File geodatabase will incorporate DOI data and metadata standards (iBOMS) from Technical Exhibit 5.

o Contractor shall provide geospatial data in the NAD83 (2011) geographic coordinate system (EPSG: 6318) or the NAD83 geographic coordinate system (EPSG: 4269), with no projection applied. The unit of measure for any coordinates provided shall be decimal degrees. Coordinate system and unit of measure requirements do not apply to display maps used in reports, presentations, or other derived products.

o Contractor shall deliver data and metadata to the Government without restrictive markings and with unlimited rights as in FAR 27.404-1. Data, metadata, and other deliverables are property of the U.S. Government.

o Contractor will supply all data collected as part of this protocol to refuge staff in the format specified in the data management section above within 45 days prior to the end of the contract.

Progress reports and provisional data:

Contractors shall submit an email with provisional data collected and a brief progress statement to date to the STL NWR manager monthly.

Final report:

Final report:

o Contractor shall submit a draft final report at least 45 days prior to the end of the contract for review by Refuge and regional staff before it is finalized.

o Comments received on the draft report will be incorporated into a final report, due by the project end date.

o Contractor shall include in their report the following sections:

Introduction (including refuge context/overview) Methods (including sampling design, field methods, data collection methods, data collection standards, data verification and validation methods, data analysis, and voucher specimen procedures)

Results (including distribution map for each species, summary table with acreage by species)

Results must clearly evaluate objectives listed in Part 1 Management recommendations (suggestions for invasive plant control, future inventories, new priority species, and other observations that would contribute to refuge management)

References cited Biosecurity protocol:

o Contractor shall ensure that all employees familiarize themselves with and implement the following STL NWR biosecurity and decontamination procedures.

o Contractor shall adhere to the decontamination and disinfection procedures to avoid the inadvertent spread of invasive plants, aquatic invasive species, pathogens, and native flora and fauna outside their natural range.

o Contractor shall document compliance with decontamination and disinfection procedures by recording the date, time, treatment conditions (i.e., temperature, chemical concentrations, treatment duration), and personnel that implement each step.

o Contractor shall meet with Refuge Manager or his designee to review decontamination procedures and inspect vehicle, gear, equipment, clothing, and footwear cleanliness prior to the start of work. If procedures are found to have been inadequate, the project may be delayed until compliance can be achieved.

Safety Protocol o Contractor shall ensure that all employees familiarize themselves with and implement the STL NWRC safety procedures as outlined in the initial orientation.

o Site-specific Protocol o Contractor and refuge staff will work with the USFWS Inventory and Monitoring or Invasive Species program to create and finalize the site-specific protocol for this project. The protocol will follow standards for protocol development provided by USFWS [Attach USFWS Survey Protocol Handbook documents]. Any modification to the protocol during the inventory will be communicated to the refuge. A draft protocol must be provided to USFWS for review before the survey begins and be finalized before starting surveys.

o A contractor will carry out the work and provide:

A final project inventory report o Management recommendations o Associated shapefiles and map products developed by the project.

5.2. Optional Task: Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for the completion of the requirements set forth in the PWS. This task will complete the same requirements outlined in Task 5.1 for the Fallon National Wildlife refuge for the same 15 priority species covering approximately 17,000 acres.

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.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

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

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Map of STL NWR

7.3. Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3 – Map of FLN NWR

7.4. Attachment 4/Technical Exhibit 4 – Table of the 15 priority invasive species to be surveyed and mapped

7.5. Attachment 5/Technical Exhibit 5 – Required data/metadata standards

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)

Standard Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1

The contractor shall provide a protocol for review and approval by the refuge manager and regional staff. The approved protocol will then be used to complete ground or aerial-based visual surveys for 15 invasive plants (Technical Exhibit

4) in the Stillwater NWR (approximately 89,000 acres) and with an option to do the same in the Fallon NWR (approximately 17,000 acres).

Use of existing published protocols or methods is preferred, where available.

The protocol must be scientifically robust, defensible and have high confidence that a thorough survey of the area was completed. The contractor uses the protocol to survey 15 priority invasive plant species in the UCS management unit.

Zero deviation from standard.

100% Inspection

PRS # 2

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 provides and maintains a quality control program to ensure all services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor ensures compliance with all DOI data and metadata standards are included in the quality control program.

Zero deviation from standard.

100% Inspection

PRS # 3

The contractor shall abide by the STLC biosecurity and decontamination procedures and safety procedures provided during the orientation.

The contractor shall undergo decontamination and safety protocol orientation from STLC staff prior to the start of any field work. The contractor and all employees will abide by biosecurity and decontamination procedures at all times to avoid the inadvertent translocation of invasive or native species.

Zero deviation from standard.

PRS # 4

The contractor shall adhere to minimum required data collection standards and specifications.

The contractor shall adhere to the minimum data standards set out in Technical Exhibit 5 and shall provide all data collected, including individual observation points, infested area polygons, survey points and polygons, and survey tracklog lines, in an ESRI File Geodatabase. This data shall be accompanied by metadata meeting either ISO 19139 Metadata Implementation Specification GML3.2 or FGDC-CSDGM standards.

Contractor shall provide geospatial data in the NAD83 (2011) geographic coordinate system (EPSG: 6318) or the NAD83 geographic coordinate system (EPSG: 4269), with no projection applied. The unit of measure for any coordinates provided shall be decimal degrees. Coordinate system and unit of measure requirements do not apply to display maps used in reports, presentations, or other derived products. Contractor shall deliver data and metadata to the Government without restrictive markings and with unlimited rights as in FAR 27.404-1.

Data, metadata, and other deliverables are property of the U.S. Government.

Zero deviation from standard.

100% Inspection

PRS # 5

The contractor shall complete a final report.

Final report content will follow a standard scientific format including the introduction, methods, results, and management recommendations sections. Distribution maps for each invasive plant species will be included.

The management recommendations section will synthesize the results of the inventory and present actionable priorities for control of individual invasive plant species. The contractor shall provide a draft final report and all data collected 45 days prior to the project end date. Comments received on the draft report will be incorporated into a final report, due by the project end date.

Zero deviation from standard.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 4

INITIAL INVASIVE AND PEST PLANT TARGETS (12 prioritized species with additional EDRR species to be refined during protocol development)

Scientific Name Common Name Tamarix ramosissima Saltcedar

Lepidium latifolium Broad-leaf peppergrass, perennial pepperweed, whitetop

Rhaponticum repens Russian Knapweed Phragmites australis Phragmites, common reed Bromus madritensis1 Red brome, cheat grass, downy brome Bromus tectorum1 Cheatgrass Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Lepidium draba Hoary cress Cirsium arvense 2 Canada thistle Cirsium vulgare2 Bull-thistle Kochia scoparia3 Kochia, Mexican Summer-cress Bassia hyssopifolia3 Five-hook Bassia

1 State of Nevada Noxious Weed List 2 Nevada State Weed Plan Species of Concern

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 5

Invasive Biotic Observation Minimum Standards

The Invasive Biotic Observation Minimum Standards is intended to be a starting point for refuge staff intending to collect invasive plant data during a baseline inventory, monitoring survey, or any other invasive plant survey. If a contractor is hired to complete the survey, the Invasive Plant Species Minimum Specification data dictionary should be provided to the contractor and it should be outlined in the agreement that the refuge requires data to be collected using the specification, OR that the data are converted to meet the specification after data collection. For most applications, the data dictionary template spreadsheet is a good place to start in developing a dataset that meets this specification. Include all mandatory fields. Review the field definitions and guidance in this document and consider which optional and suggested fields will be useful to the applications. Optional fields that are not needed can be deleted from the template and additional fields can be added.

Clauses

52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS –COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL

SERVICES (NOV 2023)

---Addendum to 52.212-4---

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

Federal Acquisition Regulation: https://www.acquisition.gov/far Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation: https://www.acquisition.gov/diar

(End of clause)

52.204-13 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

52.217-2 CANCELLATION UNDER MULTI-YEAR CONTRACTS (OCT 1997)

52.217-8 OPTION TO EXTEND SERVICES (NOV 1999)

The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 30 days before or after PoP Expiration.

(End of clause)

52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 90 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 5 years 6 months.

(End of clause)

--- End of Addendum to 52.212-4---

52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (FEB 2024)

(a) The Contractor shall comply with the following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, which are incorporated in this contract by reference, to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

(1) 52.203-19, Prohibition on Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements (Jan 2017) (section 743 of Division E, Title VII, of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235) and its successor provisions in subsequent appropriations acts (and as extended in continuing resolutions)).

(2) 52.204-23, Prohibition on Contracting for Hardware, Software, and Services Developed or Provided by Kaspersky Lab Covered Entities (Dec 2023) (Section 1634 of Pub. L. 115-91).

(3) 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment. (Nov 2021) (Section 889(a)(1)(A) of Pub. L. 115-232).

(4) 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations (Nov 2015).

(5) 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (Mar 2023) ( 31 U.S.C.

3903 and 10 U.S.C. 3801).

(6) 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996) (31 U.S.C. 3553).

(7) 52.233-4, Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim (Oct 2004) (Public Laws 108-77 and 108-78 ( 19 U.S.C. 3805 note)).

(b) The Contractor shall comply with the FAR clauses in this paragraph (b) that the Contracting Officer has indicated as being incorporated in this contract by reference to implement provisions of law or Executive orders applicable to acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services:

[ ] (1) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (Jun 2020), with Alternate I (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 4655).

[ ] (2) 52.203-13, Contractor Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (Nov 2021) (41 U.S.C. 3509)).

[ ] (3) 52.203-15, Whistleblower Protections under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

(Jun 2010) (Section 1553 of Pub. L. 111-5). (Applies to contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)

(4) 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023) ( 41 U.S.C. 4712); this clause does not apply to contracts of DoD, NASA, the Coast Guard, or applicable elements of the intelligence community—see FAR 3.900 (a).

[X] (5) 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020) (Pub. L.

109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[ ] (6) [Reserved].

[X] (7) 52.204-14, Service Contract Reporting Requirements (Oct 2016) (Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div.

C).

[ ] (8) 52.204-15, Service Contract Reporting Requirements for Indefinite-Delivery Contracts (Oct 2016)

(Pub. L. 111-117, section 743 of Div. C).

[X] (9) 52.204-27 Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023)

(10) 52.204–28, Fe[ ]deral Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, and Multi-Agency Contracts. (Dec 2023) ( Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[X] (11)(i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Prohibition. (Dec 2023) ( Pub.

L. 115–390, title II).

(ii) Alternate[ ] I (Dec 2023) of 52.204–30.

[X] (12) 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[ ] (13) 52.209-9, Updates of Publicly Available Information Regarding Responsibility Matters (Oct 2018) (41 U.S.C. 2313).

[ ] (14) [Reserved] [ ] (15) 52.219-3, Notice of HUBZone Set-Aside or Sole-Source Award (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

[ ] (16) 52.219-4, Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (if the offeror elects to waive the preference, it shall so indicate in its offer) (15 U.S.C. 657a).

(17)[Reserve[ ]d]

[X] (18) (i) 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-6.

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-17#FAR_52_203_17 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/41/4712 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/3.900#FAR_3_900 https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/115/public/390

[ ] (19) (i) 52.219-7, Notice of Partial Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-7.

[ ](20) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

[ ] (21) (i) 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2023) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (iii) Alternate II (Nov 2016) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (iv) Alternate III (Jun 2020) of 52.219-9.

[ ] (v) Alternate IV (Sep 2023) of 52.219-9

[ ] (22) (i) 52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2020) of 52.219-13.

[ ](23) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(14))(Deviation OCT 2022).

[ ] (24) 52.219-16, Liquidated Damages-Subcontracting Plan (Sep 2021) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(4)(F)(i)).

[ ] (25) 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned

Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C.

657f).

[X] (26) (i) 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation (Feb 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (MAR 2020) of 52.219-28.

[ ] (27) 52.219-29, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Economically Disadvantaged Women- Owned Small Business Concerns (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C. 637(m)).

[ ] (28) 52.219-30, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole Source Award to, Women-Owned Small Business Concerns Eligible Under the Women-Owned Small Business Program (Oct 2022) (15 U.S.C.

637(m)).

[ ] (29) 52.219-32, Orders Issued Directly Under Small Business Reserves (Mar 2020) (15 U.S.C. 644(r)).

[ ] (30) 52.219-33, Nonmanufacturer Rule (Sep 2021) (15U.S.C. 637(a)(17)).

[X] (31) 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003) (E.O.11755).

[X] (32) 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024) (E.O.13126).

[X] (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015).

[X] (34) (i) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016) (E.O.11246).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Feb 1999) of 52.222-26.

[ ] (35) (i) 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-35.

[X] (36) (i) 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Jul 2014) of 52.222-36.

[ ] (37) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

[ ] (38) 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (Dec 2010) (E.O.

13496).

[X] (39) (i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (Mar 2015) of 52.222-50 (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[ ] (40) 52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (May 2022). (Executive Order 12989). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial products or commercial services as prescribed in 22.1803.)

[ ] (41) (i) 52.223-9, Estimate of Percentage of Recovered Material Content for EPA–Designated Items (May 2008) ( 42 U.S.C. 6962(c)(3)(A)(ii)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[ ] (ii) Alternate I (May 2008) of 52.223-9 (42 U.S.C. 6962(i)(2)(C)). (Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items.)

[ ] (42) 52.223-11, Ozone-Depleting Substances and High Global Warming Potential Hydrofluorocarbons (Jun 2016) (E.O. 13693).

[ ] (43) 52.223-12, Maintenance, Service, Repair, or Disposal of Refrigeration Equipment and Air Conditioners (Jun…