Sol_140L4324Q0171.pdf

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in

FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

Solicitation no. 140L4324Q0171 has been issued as a Request For Quotation for a firm fixed price commercial services contract for 2024 Columbia Plateau Restoration, located at Spokane District Office at one lump sum price. The scope of work includes herbicide application, seed and seedling production, and shrub-steppe restoration including vegetation treatments in the Columbia Plateau on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane District (SPO) in several counties in

Washington. The performance period is from 09/15/2024 through 09/14/2029. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-06 effective July 31, 2024. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial, applies to this acquisition The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price.

Options will be evaluated in accordance with provision 52.212-2. Offerors are advised to submit a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial

Items, with its offer. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition The clause at 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes

Or Executive Orders - Commercial Items applies to this acquisition This requirement is set-aside for

SMALL BUSINESS. The NAICS code is 115112 – Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating, and the small business size standard is $9.5 million. The basis of award is the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Award will be made to the responsible respondent pursuant to FAR subpart 9.1. Responses shall be received via email at babecker@blm.gov, mduane@blm.gov, and blm_or_so_952_mail@blm.gov by the response due date and time.

mailto:babecker@blm.gov mailto:mduane@blm.gov mailto:blm_or_so_952_mail@blm.gov

2024 COLUMBIA PLATEAU RESTORATION SOLICITATION NO. 140L4324Q00171

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 4 of 85

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

Multiple Year Firm Fixed Price Commercial Items Services contract for Seed, Seedlings, and Restoration Services in the Columbia Plateau on BLM-Administered lands within the Spokane District of Washington.

BASE (Date of Award –Month 12)

Item no. Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure Unit Price Total

Task One (1): Restoration Services: Moses Coulee 2025

0001 Mobilization

2 EA $ $

0002 Site monitoring

5 visits $ $

Invasive Plant Control (chemical fallow)

40 Acres $ $

Mechanical treatment: site prep

(harrow, other)

Plant (seedling) production: shrub-steppe

8,000 plant $ $

Mechanical seeding (Roller): shrub-

20 Acres $ $

Hand Planting (seedling plugs): shrub-

4,000 plant $ $

Invasive Plant Control (Herbicide follow-up)

Task One (1): Total $

Task two (2): Restoration Services: Eagle Bluff

0009 Mobilization

3 EA

0010 Site monitoring

5 visits

0011 Invasive Plant inventory (scoping)

1 job

Invasive Plant Control (Herbicide or other, Open Range G follow-up)

231 Acres

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 5 of 85

Seed collection and grow-out:

multiple species

2,327 PLS

0015 Plant (seedling) production: 10 ci 6,000 plant $ $

0016 Plant (seedling) tall pot

500 plant

0017 Mechanical seeding: shrub-steppe

0018 Hand Planting (riparian plugs): 10 ci

6,000 plant

Hand Planting riparian seedlings: tall pots

500 plant

Invasive Plant Control (herbicide or other, seeding area CLIN 0016 follow-up)

100 Acres

Task Two (2): Total $

Task Three (3): Roza Slope ESR Treatments

0021 Mobilization

2 EA

0022 Site monitoring

3 visits

Invasive Plant Control (Herbicide or other, Open Range G followup)

25 Acres

70 Acres

Seed collection and grow-out:

multiple species

840 PLS

Seedling (plug) production: shrub-steppe species

14,000 plant

0027 Mechanical seeding: shrub-steppe

70 Acres

0028 Hand Planting (seedling plugs)

14,000 plant

0029 Invasive Plant Control (herbicide or other, seeding area CLIN 0027 Acres $ $

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 6 of 85 follow-up) 25

Task Three (3): Total $

TASK 4: Seed production: 2024 ESR REPLACEMENT

0030 Seed collection (3 seed zones)

3 job

Seed Increase: grasses (15-20 F/6-12

AHM )

3,750

PLS $ $

Seed Increase: grasses (20-25 F/6-12

AHM)

1,500

Seed Increase: grasses (25-30 F/6-12

AHM )

1,500

Task Four (4): Total $

BASE TOTAL: $

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Item no. Item Description Quantity Unit of

Measure

Unit Price Total

OPTIONAL TASK O.5: Outyear Restoration Services: Eagle Bluff

0034 Mobilization

1 EA

0035 Mechanical treatment: harrow, flail mow

250 Acres

0036 Herbicide application: maintenance

500 Acres

0037 Seed collection and grow-out: multiple species

1,200 PLS

0038 Seedling (plug) production: shrub-steppe

20,000 plant

0039 Mechanical seeding: shrub-steppe

100 Acres

0040 Hand Planting (seedling plugs)

20,000 plant

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 7 of 85

Task Optional Five (O.5): Total $

OPTIONS TOTAL $

BASE TOTAL

GRAND TOTAL (Base Plus Options) $

AC = acre, EA =Each, PLS=Pounds (lb) of pure live seed, CY=cubic yards, ci=cubic inch

ESTIMATED START WORK DATE:

(End of Section B)

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 8 of 85

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Introduction

The Spokane District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is contracting for herbicide application, seed and seedling production, and shrub-steppe restoration including vegetation treatments in the Columbia Plateau on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Spokane District (SPO) in several counties in Washington. This contract will include any necessary labor and field work to complete task items. Supplies shall be provided by the Contractor unless otherwise noted.

1.2 Scope

This statement of work provides an outline of the required tasks associated with herbicide application, seed production, seedling production, and restoration treatments in several treatment areas in the Columbia

Plateau of Washington. Sites treated in this Contract are primarily shrub-steppe recently disturbed by historic fire.

This work will involve a) herbicide application, both aerial and ground-based; b) production of native grass and forb seed; c) production of seedlings from native grass and forb seed; d) treatments to increase the cover of native shrub-steppe plants and decrease the cover of non-native grasses and forbs in multiple treated areas.

This contract also identifies optional items. Optional items are subject to availability of funding and may be awarded at the time of contract execution or may be exercised anytime up to two years after contract award.

Optional items include similar deliverables as base items.

As quality assurance, the Government will inspect a) seed quality, species; b) seedling size, vigor, form; c) field treatments compared to the Work Plan/Work Schedule submitted by Contractor and accepted by the

Government.

1.3 Site Visit

Contractors shall inspect the sites where services are to be performed to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost of contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event shall failure to inspect project sites constitute grounds for a claim.

1.4 Sequence of Work: The sequence of work for this contract will be determined based on material (e.g., seed) availability (provided by Contractor) and developing conditions in the field. Sequence of work shall be both agreeable to the Government and realistically accomplishable by Contractor, and shall meet

Objectives detailed below. Line items within Tasks may depend on other within-Task items to be completed The Contractor shall be required to contact the Government and inspection by the Government of key Items (such as herbicide application) shall occur prior to the Contractor initiating later Items (such as drill seeding).

1.5 Special Requirements: None

2.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

BLM: Bureau of Land Management

CLIN: Contract Line Number.

COR: Contracting Officer’s Representative.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 9 of 85

Pesticide Application Record (PAR): A record including chemicals sprayed, location, applicator, and other information. Example record at https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/PM/Compliance/RecForm4226.pdf.

Phenological: having the influence of cyclic and seasonal climate on plant success, growth, and reproduction. Phenologically appropriate native seed will be mature and viable at the time of collection.

Plot: used interchangeably with the term “Test plot” or “Experimental plot”, used to grow small amounts

(tens of pounds or less) of seed in species with lesser known germination and emergence requirements

(e.g., some forbs). For this contract, “plot” shall be an area approximately 1/10 acre in size. “Plots” generally need to be isolated from other seeding areas and irrigated. It is common for growers to place no more than 5 “plots” per acre.

Plug: used interchangeably with the plant term “seedling”. Generally, a bare root plant with a root mass contained in a roll (for this contract). Root masses are often sized 10 ci, 25 ci or larger.

PUP: Pesticide Use Proposal.

Pure Live Seed (PLS): the percent by weight of viable seed in a seed lot determined after germination and/or Tetrazolium (TZ) tests and purity analysis at a certified lab. PLS is calculated by multiplying a seed lot’s pure seed percent by its viability percent. Any dormant seed is included with the viable seed percentage (i.e., % germination+%dormant seed=% viable seed).

Quality Control Plan: describing how the Contractor will control work quality and document inspection results for awarded call orders. This can be combined with work plan (see below).

Seed zone: An area with similar ecological conditions, meaning plant materials can be transferred with little risk of being poorly adapted to their new location. Seed zones are mapped at the following website:

https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=229eb45b7cc2456db6d1ad866145d39

7.

“Tall pot”: Seedling size/form developed to be reach soil moisture deeper in the soil profile. Generally

1 to 2 gallons in volume, with root length longer than 10 inches.

Work Plan: Detailed description of how the Contractor would complete each task. Work Plans should include (but not limited to): Contractor qualifications, mechanical equipment used, plant species, sizes, numbers, herbicide formulations, and schedule.

3.0 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS

The Contractor shall:

● Provide a full Quality Control Plan and Work Plan as specified in Section 6 of this statement of work.

● Provide all labor and supervision necessary to perform this requirement.

● Provide all equipment, supplies, and all incidentals necessary to implement all Task Items in these project areas, except as noted in Section 4.0. Contractor-provided equipment shall include but not be limited to the following:

a. Access vehicles. Vehicles shall have with sufficient clearance to work in rugged range terrain, to support all labor necessary to complete this task order.

b. Any equipment needed to produce seedlings and deliver seedlings to job sites.

c. Any equipment needed to plant seedlings (dibble bars, etc.).

● Provide all acreage, irrigation, facilities, fees, laboratory tests, records, and transportation necessary to cultivate and produce: a) cleaned and tested native seed that meets crop and seed contract quality and quantity standards for this contract; b) native seedlings (plugs and larger grown plants) used in this Contract.

https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/PM/Compliance/RecForm4226.pdf https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=229eb45b7cc2456db6d1ad866145d397

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 10 of 85

● Contractor shall arrange with State seed certifying agency or its representative to have all

Contractor-produced seed tested at an International Seed Testing Association

(ISTA)-accredited seed testing laboratory. Contractor shall arrange for an original seed analysis report to be provided to the Government’s representative directly by the seed testing laboratory.

Specific tests are detailed in Section 5 of this task order.

● Provide electronic Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to document the extent of planting activities. Spatial data provided to the Government shall include information on the datum used by

GPS unit.

● Provide GIS “as applied/as constructed” shapefile of all treatment areas, prior to acceptance by

Government.

● Provide Pesticide Application Record (PARs) to the Government within 48 hours of application.

4.0 GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED ITEMS

4.1 Government (BLM) will provide the following materials to the Contractor prior to initiation of work on related Tasks:

● Access to all sites where restoration work is to be done

● Maps and GIS data locating treatment areas

● Current list of BLM approved herbicides and adjuvants.

● Current BLM PAR form; assistance with Geoplatform for recording GIS and PAR data.

● Native grass and forb seed for use in Task 1.

5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

5.1 Common to Multiple Tasks

5.1.1 Item 1.R: Mobilization. For each relevant Task, mobilization costs are represented as a single expense to move all necessary equipment and materials to a job site EACH YEAR. Where a Task includes more than one year of work or sites requiring more than one mobilization, additional units are included in Bid Sheet.

5.1.2 Item 1.J: Site monitoring. For each relevant Task, Contractor shall monitor soil moisture, temperatures, and plant phenology (germination, emergence, onset of flowering, development, etc.) with sufficient field visits to allow the Contractor to accurately apply herbicide, mechanical treatment, or perform biological treatment (e.g., seeding). Contractor shall perform monitoring sufficient to allow Contractor to meet relevant Objectives for each Task.

5.1.3 Treatment objectives. Treatments (Tasks) in this Contract shall have some or all of the following treatment

Objectives:

1. Maintain or reduce cover of non-native plants to facilitate Objectives 2 and 3

2. Increase the cover of native grasses to 2 native grasses per 10 square feet

3. Introduce native forb to treated areas to maintain forb diversity

Applicable treatment Objectives are noted by Task number. Not all Objectives are to be met in individual

Tasks.

Contract deliverables (Statement of Work) do not require fully achieving relevant Objectives during the life of the Contract, and successful completion of the Contract shall not be contingent upon achieving the above objectives. However, when developing Work Plan and when considering application of the Work Plan or modification to the Work Plan, potential for achievement of these objectives will be used as the guide.

Contractor Work Plan should demonstrate how the Contractor shall meet or make progress towards meeting the relevant Objectives for each Task.

5.1.4 Item 1.N: Seed Collection from appropriate seed zone. Contractor shall identify and collect phenologically appropriate native forb and grass seed from any portion of the 20-25F/6-12 AHM seed zone. Seed zones are mapped at the following website:

https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=229eb45b7cc2456db6d1ad866145d397.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 11 of 85

Collection sites may be remote and require hiking. Seed collected must be sufficient to meet needs of associated Tasks.

Seed from adjacent seed zones may be acceptable for this Item, if no sources are available in the requested seed zone. Replacement seed from adjacent seed zones must be accepted by Government

(BLM).

5.1.5 Seed standards, timing, storage, and seed delivery. Unless otherwise specified, for all seed lots produced under this Contract Task Order, Contractor shall arrange with State seed certifying agency or its representative to have seed samples collected and submitted for testing at an ISTA accredited seed testing laboratory. Contractor shall arrange for an original seed analysis report to be provided to the

Government’s representative directly by the seed testing laboratory. The following tests shall be required:

● Purity

● Viability (germination or TZ test)

● Crop and weed test

Seed produced shall meet the following standards:

● PLS: minimum 80%

● Viability minimum: 60%

● Inert matter maximum: 30%

● Weeds: 0.10%

● Other crop maximum: 0.15%

Seed shall be stored in a building that allows air circulation and is protected from rain, moisture, and rodents prior to transfer to the Government. Seed shall be stored in tagged/labeled bags. Label will include:

● Name and address of Contractor (grower)

● Species name, germplasm identification term and number corresponding to seed analysis report

● Seed test results

● Bag weight

● Federal contracting officer name,

● Contract number

Unless otherwise negotiated by Contractor and Government, all grown-out seed will be delivered to

Government at the following address:

Wenatchee Field Office

C/O Chris Sheridan or other BLM representative

915 Walla Walla Ave.

Wenatchee, WA 98801

5.2 Task 1: Restoration Services: Moses Coulee 2025

5.2.1 Objectives. Task one (1) includes line items (CLIN): 0001-0009. Task 1 restoration will require removing much of the current vegetation and replacing it with native grasses and forbs. The relevant treatment

Objectives of Task 1 include Objectives 1, 2, and 3 (Section 5.1.3). Items for Task 1 will include (in order of operations): site monitoring, mobilization, herbicide application, seeding, plug installation, and maintenance herbicide.

Each of the required Items under Task 1 shall be coordinated to facilitate meeting site objectives.

Contractor Technical Approach documented in Work Plan/Work Schedule (Section 6) shall form the evaluation factors for this Contract. See EVALUATION OF CONTRACTOR RESPONSES.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 12 of 85

The Government has identified 40 total acres for treatment under Task 1, identified in Map 2.

5.2.2 Location of Work: The Task 1 project area is located in Douglas County, Washington. Specifically, Task 1 work will occur in Township 24 N, Range 25 E, SW of Section 05. See Map 2. Task 1 treatment boundaries are identified on the project map. GIS data and additional maps are available for field use. Note that treatment polygon is 40 acres. However, rock rubble areas and road areas do not require treatment.

5.2.3 Site conditions and site access: Upland portions of the Task 1 treatment area include shrub-steppe habitat.

Virtually no shrubs are present in the treatment area. This area has mixed conditions including:

• Lithosol swale/intermound areas with a mix of native grass (Poa secunda) and co-dominated by non-native annual grasses (Bromes)

• Lithosol biscuit/mound areas dominated by non-native annual grasses (Bromes) and forb weeds

(Sisymbrium altissima and others).

• Stony soils with occasional patches of natives, co-dominated by non-native annual grasses (Bromes) and forb weeds (Sisymbrium altissima and others).

Government is planning to apply fire to this site to reduce plant residue prior to Contractor work.

Government will coordinate with Contractor on timing of applied fire.

Due to thin-soiled (Stony and lithosolic) patches, drill seeding will not be possible in some or all parts of the treatment area.

Access to the treatment area is from a closed but paved road (“Sunset highway”).

5.2.4 Work Plan: Contractor shall provide a Work Plan/Work Schedule as part of its response to solicitation for this Contract. This plan shall show how Contractor will meet or make progress towards meeting the Task 1 objectives. Specifics of the Work Plan are provided in Section 6. Government Evaluation Factors will be based in part on Contractor technical approach and likelihood of achieving Task 1 objectives.

5.2.5 Invasive Plant Control (Herbicide). See Solicitation Item 30. In Moses Coulee Treatment Area (Map 2), Contractor shall treat non-native and invasive plants using herbicides or manual control methods. As part of application for this contract, Contractor shall submit a Work Plan for weeds treatment. Work Plan shall specify how Contractor will meet Objective 1 in Task 1 treatment area. Specifics of Work Plan shall include:

• Post-applied fire herbicide treatment, designed to prevent germination of annuals (CLIN 0003)

• Hand spray of non-native noxious weeds in the first spring/summer following treatment (CLIN

0003).

• Subsequent follow-up weed treatment in Year 2 of the Contract (CLIN 0009).

• Herbicides, adjuvants, and other specifics: by treatment

Contractor Work Plan for weeds treatment shall be designed to meet the objectives of Task 1 (Section

5.2.1). Work plan (Control plan) shall include, at a minimum: herbicides to be used, application rates, application methods, timing of applications, and minimum number of applications prior to and following seeding/planting. Work Plan shall only utilize BLM-approved herbicides. The Government will review

Work Schedule/Work Plan during pre-work (see EVALUATION).

Work Plan for weed control shall assume Government applied fire in Fall of first treatment year

(planned 2025).

Contractor shall provide Pesticide Application Record (PARs) to the Government within 24 hours of application. Geoplatform will be used to the extent possible to record treatment spatial data and complete

PAR entry.

Herbicide application areas are shown on Map 2.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 13 of 85

5.2.6 Mechanical treatment (harrow, mow, other): CLIN 0004. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item

5.a. Contractor shall perform mechanical treatments to meet Task 2 Objectives. Mechanical treatments may require harrowing to remove plant residue or mowing of competing vegetation to allow planted seedlings or seeded species to become established. Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work

Plan and Schedule (Section 6) shall describe proposed mechanical treatments.

Work Plan for mechanical treatment shall assume some residue remaining following Government applied fire in Fall of first treatment year.

5.2.7 Plant (seedling) production: shrub-steppe species: CLIN 0005. See Solicitation Item 38. Provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track seedlings from seed, providing 10 ci containers appropriate for field installation (planting). Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 15-20 F/6-12 AFM or 20-25F/6-12

AHM seed zones (Section 5.1.4).

Contractor shall provide the following plant materials under this Item:

Species Scientific Name

Number of seedlings

Grass Seedlings

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 2,500

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 500

Idaho fescue Festuca idahoensis 250

Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elmoides 1,000

Forb Seedlings

Hawksbeard spp Crepis acuminata or C. atribarba 500

Dusty maiden Chaenactis douglasii 500

Thompson’s paintbrush Castilleja thompsonii 500

Nine-leaved desert parsley Lomatium triternatum 500

Native lithosol forb species

(appropriate seed zone)

1,750

8,000

All plugs shall be sized 10 cubic inch or larger. Substitution of the above species for other native species is negotiable and shall be by mutually agreed upon by Contractor and Government.

All plugs shall be grown and transported in systems sufficient to withstand transport and preparation for planting. Examples of transport systems include “jelly roll” system or plastic sleeves.

5.2.8 Mechanical (ground) seeding (roller): CLIN 0006. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item 5.f.

The Contractor shall seed up to 20 acres, using seed provided by the Government, to accomplish

Contract Objectives 2 and 3 (Section 5.1.3). Ground seeding locations are shown on Map 2.

Due to thin-soils in treatment area, drill seeding will not be possible in some or all parts of the treatment area. Ground seeding imprinting in stony soils may be accomplished by a roller, harrow, or other

Contractor method.

Work Plan shall specify ground seeding technique including: equipment, timing.

5.2.9 Hand Planting (seedling plugs): shrub-steppe species (CLIN 0007). See Solicitation Item 67 and

Attachment 8, item 5.e. The Contractor shall prepare and plant sites with hand tools and plant the following materials: 10 ci plugs (CLIN 0005). Plant in locations shown on Map 2. Plant materials shall be planted either in deeper soil (“biscuit”) areas, or in lithosol “swale” areas with adequate planting depth

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 14 of 85

(gaps in lithosol), as appropriate for the species.

5.2.10 Invasive Plant Control (Herbicide follow-up) (CLIN 0008). See Solicitation Item 30. Following seeding and seedling planting, Contractor shall treat non-native and invasive plants using spot herbicide or manual control methods. As part of application for this contract, Contractor shall submit a Work Plan for weeds treatment. Work Plan shall specify how Contractor will meet Objectives 1, 2, and 3 in Task 1 treatment area using follow-up herbicide or manual treatment.

Work plan (Control plan) shall include, at a minimum: herbicides to be used, application rates, application methods, timing of applications, and minimum number of applications prior to and following application. Geoplatform will be used to the extent possible to record treatment spatial data and complete

Herbicide application areas are shown on Map 2.

5.2.12 Timing, Delivery and Work Schedule. Contractor shall perform mechanical seeding and seedling (plug) planting in the appropriate planting season. Work is currently planned for Fall of 2025; no Contractor work may occur prior to this time. Seeding dates shall follow Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan/Work Schedule (Section 6). Mechanical method shall be effective at meeting

Objectives 2 and 3.

Government (BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of seed, seedlings, and planting. Government

(BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of applied herbicide.

5.3 Task 2: Eagle Bluff Fire ESR Treatments

5.3.1 Objectives. Task two (2) will include line items (CLIN): 0009-0020. The relevant treatment Objectives of

Task 2 include Objectives 1, 2, and 3 (Section 5.1.3). Items for Task 2 will include: native seed production, ground seeding, planting of native plugs, planting of long root (tall pot) seedlings, and control of non-native vegetation using herbicide or other common methods.

Each of the required Items under Task 2 shall be coordinated to facilitate meeting site objectives.

Contractor Technical Approach documented in Work Plan/Work Schedule (Section 6) will form the

The Government has identified a large treatment area, identified in Map 3. Individual treatments would be applied to only a portion of this full treatment area. Contractor Work Plan shall identify areas within this larger area for specific treatments.

5.3.2 Location of Work: The Task 2 project area is in Okanogan County, Washington. Specifically, Task 2 work will occur within the Eagle Bluff Fire Perimeter, occurring in Township 40 N, Range 26 E (NE part of township) and Township 40 N, Range 27 E, NW and SW part of township. See Map 3. Task 2 treatment boundaries are identified on the project map. GIS data and additional maps are available for field use.

5.3.3 Site conditions and site access: Task 2 occurs within the Eagle Bluff Fire perimeter; the area burned in

August of 2023. Portions of Task 2 work areas were treated in the fall/winter of 2023: approximately 3,000 acres were treated with Open Range G, (granular formulation of Imazapic), and approximately 500 acres were aerially seeded. Access is mostly unimproved dirt roads and 2-tracks accessed from the Oroville-

Loomis Highway, or behind the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Administrative building north of

Oroville. Terrain within the project area is varied with cliffs and rocky slopes interspersed with flatter terrain.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 15 of 85

5.3.4 Work Plan: Contractor shall provide a Work Plan as part of its response to solicitation for this Contract.

This plan shall show how Contractor will meet or make progress towards meeting the Task 2 objectives

(Section 5.3.1). Specifics of the Work Plan are provided in Section 6. Government Evaluation Factors will be based in part on Contractor technical approach and likelihood of achieving Task 2 objectives.

5.3.5 Invasive Plant Inventory (Eagle Bluff) (CLIN 0011): Detailed in Solicitation Attachment 8, Item 1

Restoration services: Vegetation/Invasive Plant Treatment/ Inventory/ Mapping/ Monitoring. Government

(BLM) has identified a broad treatment area to meet Objective 1 (Section 5.1.3), identified in Map 3. This area was previously aerially sprayed with herbicide. Within the previously-sprayed area, in conjunction with site monitoring (CLIN 0010), Contractor shall identify areas requiring additional vegetation management/herbicide control to potentially achieve Objective 1. Contractor shall prioritize areas for treatment based on: presence/density of noxious weeds, presence of non-native species likely to impact

Objectives 2 and 3 in Government-identified treatment area.

Contractor shall communicate results of this inventory to Government for this task (CLIN 0011). Results of this inventory shall be used by Contractor and Government to jointly identify treatment acres in CLIN

0012.

5.3.6 Invasive Plant Control (Eagle Bluff) (CLIN 0012, 0020). See Solicitation Item 30. Work Plan shall detail how invasive plant control treatment shall help to accomplish Objective 1 within the treatment area

(Section 6). Invasive Plant control shall be applied in some portions of the treatment area identified by

Contractor under CLIN 0011 as highest priority for invasive plant management. Not all prioritized areas will be treated in this Contract.

• Specific objectives for CLIN 0012 include: controlling invasive species not controlled by pre-emergent herbicide application that occurred in fall/winter 2023, to facilitate both natural recovery and restoration of native species. The 2023 pre-emergent herbicide application area is approximately 3,000 acres. The Government estimates approximately 200 acres requiring CLIN 0012 invasive plant treatment within this larger area. Open Range G Herbicide application areas from 2023 are shown on Map 3.

• Specific objectives for CLIN 0020 include: controlling invasive species as needed to facilitate establishment of native seed and seedlings under CLIN 0017. Restoration will occur on approximately

200 acres. The Government estimates approximately 100 acres of follow up treatment within this larger area.

Contractor Work Plan shall identify:

• Use of Site Monitoring (CLIN 0010) and Site Inventory (CLIN 0011) to determine need for treatment over time. Note that species that are not controlled by previous Imazapic treatments usually have later growth stages and may not be obvious in the spring or early summer following treatment.

• Proposed treatment methods, including herbicides, adjuvants, timing, number of treatments, and other specifics: by treatment.

Contractor Work Plan for weeds treatment shall be designed to meet the objectives of Task 2 (Section

5.3.1). Work plan (Control plan) shall include, at a minimum: herbicides to be used, application rates, application methods, timing of applications, and minimum number of applications prior to and following

Contractor Work Plan may include chemical treatment for one to two growing seasons prior to planting

(CLIN 0016), and one season following planting.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 16 of 85

Contractor shall provide Pesticide Application Record (PARs) to the Government within 24 hours of application. Geoplatform will be used to the extent possible to record treatment spatial data and complete

Broad treatment area is shown in Map 3. Specific herbicide application areas shall be prioritized by

Contractor (CLIN 0011) and approved by Government.

5.3.7 Mechanical treatment (harrow, mow, other): CLIN 0013. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item

5.a. Contractor shall perform mechanical treatments to meet Task 2 Objectives 2 and 3. Mechanical treatments may require harrowing to remove plant residue or mowing of competing vegetation to allow planted seedlings or seeded species to become established. Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan and Schedule (Section 6) shall describe proposed mechanical treatments.

Mechanical treatment shall be applied in seeding treatment areas (CLIN 0017).

5.3.8 Native Grass, Forb, Shrub Seed production: CLIN 0014. See Solicitation Attachment 8, Item 3. Contractor shall collect and increase seed as necessary to support CLIN 0017. Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 15-20 F/6-12 AFM seed zone (Section 5.1.4). Government estimates approximately 231 acres of drill seeding is required, at an estimate of approximately 11 PLS pounds/acre. Contractor shall provide the following plant materials under this Item:

Species Scientific Name PLS pounds

Grass Seed

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 1,600

Idaho fescue Festuca idahoesnsis 350

Great basin wild rye Leymus cinerus 250

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 45

Shrub Seed

Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 5

Forb Seed

Phlox Phlox longifolia 10

Collomia Collomia grandiflora 5

Slender hawksbeard Crepis atribarba 25

Dusty maiden Chaenactis douglasii 25

Total 2,015

Substitution of the above species for other native species is negotiable and shall be by mutually agreed upon by Contractor and Government.

5.3.9 Plant (seedling) production: 10 cubic inch plugs (CLIN 0015). See Solicitation Item 38. Contractor shall provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track seedlings from seed, providing 10 ci containers appropriate for field installation (planting). Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 15-20 F/6-12 AFM seed zones

(Section 5.1.4). Contractor shall provide the following species as 10 cubic inch (ci) volume seedlings

(plugs):

● Baltic rush (Juncus balticus): 3,000 plugs

● American three square (Schoenoplectus americanus): 2,500 plugs

● Hard-stem Bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus: 1,000

● Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis): 500 plugs

● Cat tail (Typha latifolia): 500 plugs

● Red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea): 250 plugs

● Great Basin wild rye (Leymus cinerus): 250 plugs

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 17 of 85

All plugs shall be sized 10 cubic inch or larger. Substitution of the above native, mesic species for other native wetland species is negotiable and shall be by mutually agreed upon by Contractor and Government.

All plugs shall be grown and transported in systems sufficient to withstand transport and preparation for

Any change in seedling form (e.g., mats or cuttings) shall be subject to approval by Government.

5.3.10 Plant (seedling) production: tall pots (CLIN 0016). See Solicitation Item 38. Contractor shall provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track tall pot seedlings from seed, providing “tall pot” containers appropriate for field installation (planting). Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 15-20 F/6-12 AFM seed zones (Section 5.1.4). Contractor shall provide the following species as tall pot seedlings:

● Water birch (Betula occidentalis): 300 tall pot seedlings

● Black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa): 100 pot seedlings

● Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides): 100 tall pot seedlings

All tall pot materials will have a minimum of 12 inches of root length (equivalent to 2-gallon pot) and be a minimum of 5 feet tall. Variation in sizing is acceptable if roots are capable of reaching over 12 inches.

See Definitions (Section 2.0). Substitution of the above native, mesic species for other native mesic or wetland species is negotiable and shall be by mutually agreed upon by Contractor and Government.

5.3.11 Item 1.E: Mechanical (ground) seeding: CLIN 0017. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item 5.f.

The Contractor shall seed up to 231 acres, using seed produced under CLIN 0014, to accomplish Contract

Objectives 2 and 3 (Section 5.1.3).

Contractor shall work with Government to identify 200 acres with highest priority for ground seeding to meet Objectives 2 and 3 in the larger treatment area. Map 3 depicts larger treatment area and several preliminary potential ground seeding locations identified by the Government. Contractor proposal may consider these areas or other areas better suited to meet Objectives in Proposal/Work Plan.

Contractor Work Plan will specify seed imprint method (e.g., rangeland drill, roller, etc), mobilizations, and any other techniques specifics.

5.3.12 Item 1.D: Hand planting of native plant materials (CLIN 0018, 0019). The Contractor shall prepare and plant sites with hand tools and plant the following materials: 10 ci plugs (CLIN 0018), tall pots (CLIN

0019). Plant in locations shown on Map 3. Planting specifics shall be addressed in Contractor Work Plan including:

● Tall pot seedlings shall be planted in locations (soil depths and moistures) most likely to lead to successful establishment by mesic woody species.

● Wetland seedling plugs shall be planted in wetland (or similar) conditions.

● Plant materials shall be planted in deeper soiled, moister areas with less competition within planting area depicted on Map 3.

● Spacing shall be determined by site conditions.

5.3.13 Timing, Delivery and Work Schedule. Task 3 treatment may begin at any time following Contract award, and should occur as soon as practicable for Contractor, considering required grow out.

Planting dates for seedlings shall follow Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan.

Government (BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of seed, seedlings, and planting. Government (BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of applied herbicide.

5.4 Task 3: Roza Slope ESR Treatments

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 18 of 85

5.4.1 Objectives. Task three (3) will include line items (CLIN): 0021-0029. The relevant treatment Objectives of Task 3 include Objectives 1, 2, and 3 (Section 5.1.3). Items for Task 3 will include: native seed production, application of seed (drill, aerial and/or other) planting of native seedlings (plugs), and control of non-native vegetation using herbicide.

Each of the required Items under Task 3 shall be coordinated to facilitate meeting site objectives.

Contractor Technical Approach documented in Work Plan/Work Schedule (Section 6) will form the

The Government has identified a full treatment area of approximately 225 acres for treatment under Task 3, identified in Map 4. Note that most treatments would be applied to only a portion of this full treatment area.

5.4.2 Location of Work: The Task 3 project area is located in Yakima County, Washington. Specifically, Task 3 work will occur within the Roza Slope Fire Perimeter, occurring in Township 15N Range 19 E sections 27, 28, 33, and 34: (Map 4). Task 3 treatment boundaries are identified on the project map. GIS data and additional maps are available for field use.

5.4.3 Site conditions and site access: Task 3 occurs within the Roza Slope Fire perimeter (approximately 225 acres); the area burned in August of 2023. Portions of Task 3 work areas were treated in the winter of 2023:

approximately 138 acres were treated with Open Range G, (granular formulation of Imazapic). Access is from Highway SR 821 and an unnamed dirt spur off Burbank Creek Road.

5.4.4 Work Plan: Contractor shall provide a Work Plan as part of its response to solicitation for this Contract.

This plan shall show how Contractor will meet or make progress towards meeting the Task 2 objectives

(Section 5.3.1). Specifics of the Work Plan are provided in Section 6. Government Evaluation Factors will be based in part on Contractor technical approach and likelihood of achieving Task 3 objectives.

5.4.5 Invasive Plant Control (Roza slope). See Solicitation Item 30. Work Plan shall detail how weeds treatment will accomplish objectives in this treatment area (Section 6). Specific objectives in the Roza slope treatment area include controlling weeds in the wildfire perimeter (Map 4), focusing on species not controlled by pre-emergent herbicide application in fall/winter 2023 to facilitate both natural recovery and restoration of native species. Although the total treatment area is approximately 225 acres, weed control should only be required in “spots” of this area. Contractor work plan shall identify:

• Site monitoring to determine need for treatment over time. In other areas, species that are not controlled by Imazapic treatments usually have later growth stages and may not be obvious in the spring or early summer.

• Proposed treatment methods, including herbicides, adjuvants, application rates, application methods, timing of applications, and minimum number of applications prior to and following seeding/planting.

• Work Plan shall only utilize BLM-approved herbicides. The Government will review Work

Schedule/Work Plan during pre-work.

NOTE: Portions of Task 3 treatment area was treated with herbicide Open Range G (~138 acres) outside of this contract in 2023.

Contractor shall provide Pesticide Application Record (PARs) to the Government within 24 hours of application. Geoplatform will be used to the extent possible to record treatment spatial data and complete

Herbicide application areas are shown on Map 4.

5.4.6 Mechanical treatment (harrow, mow, other): CLIN 0024. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item

5.a. Contractor shall perform mechanical treatments to meet Task 3 Objectives 2 and 3. Mechanical treatments may require harrowing to remove plant residue or mowing of competing vegetation to allow planted seedlings or seeded species to become established. Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan and Schedule (Section 6) shall describe proposed mechanical treatments.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 19 of 85

Mechanical treatment shall be applied as needed in seeding treatment areas (CLIN 0024).

5.4.7 Native Grass and Forb Seed production: CLIN 0025. See Solicitation Attachment 8, Item 3. Contractor shall collect and increase seed as necessary to support CLIN 0027. Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 20-25F/6-12 AHM seed zone (Section 5.1.4). Government estimates approximately 70 acres of drill seeding is required, at an estimate of approximately 12 PLS pounds/acre. Contractor shall provide the following plant materials

(seed) under this Item in total:

Species Scientific Name PLS pounds

Grass Seed

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 560

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 70

Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elmoides ssp elymoides 140

Forb Seed

Slender hawksbeard Crepis atribarba 7

Dusty maiden Chaenactis douglasii 7

Woolly Plantain Plantago patagonica 5

Total 789

Substitution of the above species for other native species is negotiable and shall be by mutually agreed upon by Contractor and Government.

5.4.8 Plant (seedling) production: shrub-steppe species: CLIN 0026. See Solicitation Item 38. Provide nursery services and facilities sufficient to propagate, produce, and track seedlings from seed, providing 10 ci containers appropriate for field installation (planting). Contractor shall provide all seed or other plant materials needed to complete this Task, from any portion of the 20-25F/6-12 AHM seed zone (Section

5.1.4).

Contractor shall provide the following plant materials under this Item:

Species Scientific Name

Number of seedlings

Grass Seedlings

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 7,000

Bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elmoides 2,000

Forb Seedlings

Hawksbeard spp Crepis acuminata or C. atribarba 1,000

Dusty maiden Chaenactis douglasii 1,000

Thompson’s paintbrush Castilleja thompsonii 1,000

Nine-leaved desert parsley Lomatium triternatum 1,000

Native forb species

(appropriate seed zone)

1,000

Total 14,000

All plugs shall be sized 10 cubic inch or larger. Substitution of the above species for other native species is

All plugs shall be grown and transported in systems sufficient to withstand transport and preparation for

5.4.9 Mechanical (ground) seeding (roller): CLIN 0029. See Solicitation Item 31 and Attachment 8, item 5.f.

The Contractor shall seed up to 70 acres, using seed produced under CLIN 0025, to accomplish Contract

Objectives 2 and 3 (Section 5.1.3) in this unit. Roza Slope ground seeding locations are shown on Map 4.

Work Plan shall specify ground seeding technique including: equipment, timing.

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 20 of 85

5.4.10 Item 1.D: Hand planting of native plant materials (CLIN 0028). The Contractor shall prepare and plant sites with hand tools and plant all seedlings produced under CLIN 0026). Plant in locations shown on Map

4. Plant materials shall be planted in deeper soiled areas with less competition within planting area depicted on Map 4

5.4.11 Invasive Plant Control (seeding area follow-up) (CLIN 0029). See Solicitation Item 30. Following seeding and seedling planting, Contractor shall treat non-native and invasive plants using spot herbicide or manual control methods. As part of application for this contract, Contractor shall submit a Work Plan for weeds treatment. Work Plan shall specify how Contractor will meet Objectives 1, 2, and 3 in Task 3 treatment area using follow-up herbicide or manual treatment.

The treatment area for this Task is the entire fire polygon (225 acres); however, actual treatment area should be significantly smaller than this. Government estimates 25 acres of treated area.

Contractor Work Plan may include chemical treatment for 1-2 growing seasons prior to planting (CLIN

0016), and/or 1-2 seasons following planting.

Work plan (Control plan) shall include, at a minimum: herbicides to be used, application rates, application methods, timing of applications, and minimum number of applications prior to and following application. Geoplatform will be used to the extent possible to record treatment spatial data and complete

Herbicide application areas are shown on Map 4

5.4.12 Timing, Delivery and Work Schedule. Task 3 treatment may begin at any time following Contract award, and should occur as soon as practicable for Contractor, considering required grow out.

Contractor shall perform mechanical seeding and seedling (plug) planting in the appropriate planting season. Seeding dates shall follow Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan/Work

Schedule (Section 6). Mechanical method shall be effective at meeting Objectives 2 and 3.

Government (BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of seed, seedlings, and planting. Government

(BLM) will be responsible for acceptance of applied herbicide.

5.5 Task 4: NATIVE GRASS SEED PRODUCTION: 2024 ESR replacement

5.5.1 Objectives. Task four (4) will include line items (CLIN): 0030-0033. The treatment objective of Task 4 is to provide native grass seed to the Government (BLM) to increase BLM seed stores, replacing seed used in the Eagle Bluff (Okanogan County) WA area, and the Hansen Road (Benton County) area.

Work is described in Solicitation Item 37 and Item 31 (Ecological Restoration) and Attachment 8 Item 3, both under “Native Grass and Forb Seed and Straw Production”.

5.5.2 Seed Collection (CLIN 0030). If necessary, to develop seed source to support Task 4 (seed production) for this Contract, Contractor shall collect native seed from the appropriate seed zone (Section 1.8).

5.5.3 Seed Production (CLIN 0031,0032, 0033). The Government requests the following seed for this task:

BLM SPOKANE DISTRICT OFFICE Page 21 of 85

Species Scientific Name PLS LBs

Seed zone 15-20 F/6-12 AHM

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 2,000

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 500

Idaho fescue Festuca idahoensis 1,250

Total 3,750

Seed zone 20-25 F/6-12 AHM

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 500

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 100

Idaho fescue Festuca idahoensis 600

Bottlebrush squirrel tail Elymus eylmoides 300

Total 1,500

Seed zone Seed zone 25-30 F/6-12 AHM

Bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 500

Sandberg’s Bluegrass Poa secunda 100

Idaho fescue Festuca idahoensis 600

Bottlebrush squirrel tail Elymus eylmoides 300

Total 1,500

Grand Total 6,750

Any deviation from the above list of species and pounds of delivered seed shall be:

● only upon review and acceptance by Government (COR)

● from the appropriate seed zone or (upon acceptance by Government) adjacent seed zone.

● Due to differences in seed weight, viability, germination, and other factors, exact pounds requested by species for forbs may not be feasible. Contractor may propose minor alteration in forb species and pounds to meet this requirement.

5.5.4 Seed standards, timing, storage, and seed delivery. See Section 5.1.5. Delivery date shall be at a time mutually agreeable to Vendor and Government, not sooner than Fall of 2025 and not later than Fall of

2026.

5.5.5 Government-provided seed (Section 5.6.2) shall be planted on cultivated land in distinct rows. The same species will not be sown on the same ground within the previous three years. Government will inspect seed increase fields and field records. Access to fields shall be provided by the Contractor with a minimum of 7 calendar days advance notice.

5.5.6 Timing, Delivery and Work Schedule. Contractor shall perform mechanical seeding and seedling (plug) planting in the appropriate planting season of 2025; likely Fall. Mechanical seeding and seedling (plug) planting must occur after Government regulatory work and Government grading (cut and fill) in treatment area. Seeding dates shall follow Contractor-produced and Government-approved Work Plan/Work

Schedule (Section 6).