Botany Surveys, Medford, Oregon SOLICITATION NO. 140L4326Q0020 BLM Medford Oregon District

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. 140L4326Q0020 has been issued as a Request For Quotation, for a firm fixed price commercial items services contract for Botany Surveys located in Medford, Oregon. The scope of work includes botany surveys.

The performance period is from 4.1.2026 through 12.1.2026. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06 effective October 1st, 2025. 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:

past performance, relevant experience, and price, where past performance and relevant experience when combined are more important than price. 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 541690 and the small business size standard is $19 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 cnwebster@blm.gov or blm_or_so_952_mail@blm.gov by the response due date and time.

mailto:cnwebster@blm.gov

SECTION B – SERVICES AND PRICES

This requirement is for one(1) Firm Fixed Price Commercial Services Contract for Botany Surveys in BLM Medford Oregon District.

BASE

Item no.

Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure

Unit Price Total

0010 Special Status Vascular and Nonvascular Plant Surveys in Timber units (Conifer Stands ≥ 80 years old)

16,962 Acres

0010a Special Status Vascular Plant Surveys in Silviculture units (Conifer Stands < 80 years old)

3,745 Acres $ $

0010b Special Status Vascular Plant Surveys in Fuels Units (Mixed Plant Communities)

7,439 Acres $ $

0010c 2nd year Surveys for Fritillaria gentneri 1,101 Acres $ $ 0010d Walk-ins to unit boundaries beyond ½ mile 50 Miles $ $ 0010e Special Status Plant Site Documentation (in unit) 210 Site $ $

0010f Special Status Plant Site Documentation (outside of unit)

56 Site $ $

0010g Haul Route (Linear Feature) 0 Mile $ $

GRAND TOTAL $

*Estimated Quantity AC = Acre

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: See Section F.

(End of Section B)

SECTION C – STATEMENT OF WORK

C.1.0.1 General Description and Project Location – The Medford District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contains a wide diversity of plant communities and the greatest number of Special Status plant species in the State of Oregon. The Medford District seeks to gather survey data concerning fungi, nonvascular, and vascular plants growing in vegetative communities on BLM lands located where the Klamath Mountains and Western Cascades ecoregions converge. The work consists of collecting field data about fungal, nonvascular, and vascular plant species (particularly Special Status or invasive nonnative botanical species) in project areas located in the Medford District, in the Ashland, Butte Falls, and Grants Pass Field Offices.

Knowledge of Target Species – The Contractor shall be familiar enough with Special Status and invasive nonnative vascular plant, bryophyte & lichen (grouped as ‘nonvascular’), and fungus species listed in Attachments 3 to be able to recognize them in the field. (‘Special Status’ botanical species are those vascular, nonvascular, and fungus taxa that are either federally listed as Endangered, Threatened, Candidate, or Proposed for listing; or Bureau Sensitive species listed as such by the BLM Oregon/Washington State Director on the most current Interagency Special Status and Sensitive Species Program [ISSSSP] lists.) Identifying some vascular, nonvascular, and fungus species is difficult, and expert knowledge to distinguish among species of some genera is scarce.

C.1.0.2 Location - The work performed will be on Medford District BLM land, in Ashland, Butte Falls, and Grants Pass Field Offices. Project locations are provided on a vicinity map and a sample section map showing survey units are included in attachments 1 and 2. Not all unit boundaries will be physically identified on the ground. Much of the terrain is steep, has dense vegetation, and can be difficult to walk through.

C.1.0.3 Vascular and nonvascular surveys shall follow the intuitive controlled method. Surveys occur in a variety of habitats. All units may be in steep terrain. Unit sizes will vary. See Attachment 2 for sample maps. Specific tasks are described by sub-item numbers in section C.1.0.4.

C.1.0.4 Specific Line Items:

Sub-Item AA – Special Status (SS) Vascular and Nonvascular plant surveys in Timber units, typically conifer stands 80 years old and over. Special status fungi will be documented if discovered incidentally.

Sub-Item AB – SS Vascular plant surveys in Silviculture units, typically conifer stands less than 80 years old. SS nonvascular and fungi will be documented if discovered incidentally.

Sub-Item AF – SS Vascular plant surveys in Fuels Units, typically consisting of mixed plant communities with more open understories. Special status fungi will be documented if discovered incidentally.

Sub-Item AJ – Second year surveys for Fritillaria gentneri in Mixed Plant Communities, including conifer stands, oak woodlands, mixed hardwood-conifer woodlands, chaparral, and grasslands.

Surveys would focus on detecting one species, Fritillaria gentneri, but other Special Status species would be documented when encountered if previously undocumented.

Sub-Item AL- Walk-ins to unit boundaries beyond 0.5 mi.

Sub-Item AM – Special Status Plant Site Documentation within any survey unit. Revisits of known SS plant sites within a survey polygon are required, in addition to documentation of new sites.

Monitoring revisits to known SS sites with a population count of 0 shall also be documented as fully as possible. Flagging and signs should be refreshed and updated at revisited sites, even if 0 plants are located, unless there is no evidence of site or plants can be located. Flagging should be easily identified to an outside observer and have clear line of sight between flags outlining the population boundary with high visibility.

Sub-Item AN – Special status plant site revisit outside of a survey unit. This includes 56 Fritillaria gentneri sites across the Medford District that have been visited annually.

Sub-Item AP – Haul routes or other linear features

C.1.0.5 Timing of field work shall take into consideration potential target species, elevation, seasonal climate, aspect, and habitat for each project area. Multiple entries into a unit may be required for Sub-Items AA-AN to time visits during stages of plant phenological development that assure visibility of characteristics necessary for accurate identification of target Special Status and invasive nonnative species. Vascular plant surveys generally occur between approximately April 1 and August 31. Bryophyte, lichen, and fungus surveys may take place whenever environmental conditions are appropriate for the target species. Surveys for aforementioned items, and especially Surveys for Item AJ will be timed to detect Fritillaria gentneri, which blooms approximately between April 1 and May 31.

C.1.0.6 Surveyors shall document surveys by completing Survey Report forms (Attachments 4-8), compiling comprehensive species lists, describing the area surveyed in a narrative report, and documenting invasive plant infestations on Vegetation Management Action Portal (VMAP) forms, and special status plant occurrences with GeoBOB mobile data collection. Survey routes will be collected as GPS tracks and submitted electronically. See Section C.5.0 for detailed description of field work and documentation requirements and Attachments 4-8 for sample forms. A summary of all Special Status species and invasive plant populations found shall be submitted with the final paperwork on a survey map.

C.1.0.7 Sub-Items AA-AP–The location or boundaries of Special Status vascular or nonvascular plant populations shall be clearly delineated on the ground. See C.5.2.1 for further description.

C.1.0.8 Special Status Species and Invasive Nonnative Lists - The Special Status vascular and nonvascular (Attachment 3) and invasive plant lists (attachments 16 & 17) may be updated and provided to the Contractor as changes take place.

Some species may be dropped or added, but the lists will be comparable to those found in the attachments.

C.1.0.9 The principal partners or key personnel of a business, whose resumes are submitted in the proposal, shall survey a minimum of 50% of the acres. Key Personnel consist of Project Leaders, Supervisors, and Crew Leaders. A resume for each surveyor added after award of the contract shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for review prior to their beginning survey work.

The technical requirements listed in C.3.3 shall apply to all personnel added after contract award.

C.1.1 Access

C.1.1.1 Access will be by paved, gravel (improved), and native surface (unimproved) roads that may require four-wheel drive vehicles. Some units and portions of units do not have direct road access. Some roads or portions of roads may need to be accessed by foot. Walk-ins to unit boundaries may be necessary up to one-half mile. Walk-ins beyond the first one-half mile shall be compensated (Sub- Item AL). Use of unsurfaced roads during wet months shall be minimized to avoid damage, especially if roads are within areas where Port Orford cedar (POC) is known to occur. A map of POC areas is provided in Attachment 10.

C.1.1.2 Contractors accessing project areas via private land shall obtain permission from the landowner to travel over private lands before starting work on any project unit accessed through private land.

The Contractor shall provide the Government a written statement or written documentation of verbal approval given by a named person on a stated date and time that the Contractor has been granted permission to travel over private lands.

C.1.1.3 Some project units are beyond locked gates that may require a key for access. Gates with locks shall be locked immediately after entry or exit by the Contractor for each project unit. Keys will be issued to the Contractor by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) at the BLM, Medford District Office. The Contractor shall return all gate keys to the COR before final payment is made. The

Contractor will be charged $50.00 for each key lost or returned in an unusable condition.

C.1.2 Pre-work Conferences - A pre-work conference will be held after contract award to ensure a clear understanding of the scope of the contract, the sequence of work, submission times for weekly progress reports, documentation requirements, inspection, and payment schedules.

C.1.3 Weather - In the event of snowfall which makes detection of nonvascular or fungi difficult, the Contractor shall temporarily stop surveys and contact the COR so that a Suspend Work Order can be issued. The Contractor and COR shall determine when conditions are appropriate for surveys to resume, and a Resume Work Order shall be issued.

C.2.0 DEFINITIONS

ArcGIS Online (AGOL) – Online platform that is part of the Esri Geospatial Cloud. ArcGIS Online connects people, locations, and data using interactive maps. An AGOL account will be required to login to the mobile data collection method which could be the Field Maps app or AGOL.

Bryophytes–A division of non-vascular plants composed of mosses, hornworts, and liverworts.

Complete Surveys – Conducted when the survey area is less than 2.5 acres. A field survey is completed with a 100% visual examination of the survey area.

Feature Point - A piece of data collection on the FIELD MAPS mobile app for the location of a plant site, usually critical habitat element such as the tree, log or pond a species occurs on or in.

Fritillaria gentneri – Gentner’s fritillary, federally listed Endangered plant in the lily family.

Endemic to Jackson and Josephine Counties in Oregon.

GeoBOB (Geographic Biotic Observations) – A Bureau of Land Management database where all inventory, surveys, flora sites, flora obs, and monitoring data concerning threatened, endangered, and Bureau Sensitive species are electronically recorded.

GeoBOB Mobile – Mobile data collection on an Android device with FIELD MAPS Mobile Mapper App. See Attachment 17 for GeoBOB mobile User Guide. GeoBOB mobile is transitioning the Field Maps app or an alternative mobile data collection method utilizing AGOL.

GeoPlatform – Geoplatform.gov account required for contractors to access ArcGIS online for mobile data collection. Directions for account registration, steps required, and security rules are included in Attachment 18-20.

GPS - Global Positioning System. A network of orbiting satellites that use geometry to triangulate the users’ ground position on the earth’s surface. A mobile electronic device used for recording geographic information based on georeferenced satellite data. Required settings are UTM Zone 10 North, NAD 83, in meters.

Intuitively Controlled Survey Method – Survey effort covers a representative cross section of all major habitats and topographic features including slopes, draws, benches, ridges, riparian or wet areas, rock outcrops and meadows and is concentrated in areas of probable habitat of target species. This is the survey method for all survey units over 2.5 acres, unless suitable habitat is found for a special status species, when a compete survey method is required withing the suitable habitat.

Invasive nonnative plants – A species that does not naturally occur in a specific area and whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Plants found on the State of Oregon Noxious weed list found at https://prod.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/Weeds/NoxiousWeedPolicyClassification.pd

f. The targeted weeds for the Medford District can be found in Attachment 16, and partially mirrors Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed List in attachment 17. The weed list may change annually but will remain similar to the 2019 list. Updated lists will be given to the Contractor https://prod.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/Weeds/NoxiousWeedPolicyClassification.pdf.

https://prod.oregon.gov/oda/shared/Documents/Publications/Weeds/NoxiousWeedPolicyClassification.pdf.

at the pre-work.

Inventories - A field survey with a 100% visual examination of the survey area. For hypogenous fungi this means looking for and intensively sampling suitable habitat within the survey area but is not a complete 100% survey of the area.

ISSSSP–The Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program (ISSSSP) is a collaboration between Region 6 Forest Service and Oregon/Washington BLM to manage special status species (see www.fs.fed.us/r6/sfpnw/issssp).

Nonvascular (Plants) – In this contract, a polyphyletic term of convenience grouping lichens and bryophytes (i.e., mosses, liverworts, and hornworts). These photosynthetic organisms are broadly similar in sizes and habitats. Specialized botanical knowledge, beyond the relatively more common knowledge of vascular plants such as conifers or flowering plants, is required to identify these “nonvascular” taxa.

S1 Mobile Mapper Application – No longer used for mobile data collection.

Site – For vascular / nonvascular species, all individuals of the same species within 300 ft of one another are to be considered a single site. Vascular / nonvascular plants further than 300 feet apart require separate site reports. Voucher specimens may be requested depending on the species or category of vascular / nonvascular species.

For fungi species, all sporocarps of the same species within 50 feet of one another are considered to be one site and should be included on one site report. Fungi of the same species further than 50 feet apart require separate site reports. Populations of different species within 50 feet of each other also require separate site reports. A voucher specimen should also be collected for each “site.”

Special Status Fungi –ISSSSP list of suspected and documented Bureau Sensitive fungi species.

Special Status Species – See Attachment 3 for lists of Special Status vascular, nonvascular, and fungi species. Includes Federal and State listed Threatened and Endangered, Bureau Sensitive species.

Survey Area–The entire area where target species are searched for even if no target species are found.

Target Species – Any plant, lichen, or fungus species from the Special Status or invasive nonnative lists attached in Attachments 3, 16 and 17 with more than a remote potential to occur within a given survey unit, given the species’ range and habitat requirements.

TESP–Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Plants

Unique Identifier or Collection Number–Use a numbering system that includes your initials and the sequential number that falls in line with your field collection notebook numbering system. For example: SCL8515 or A.G. 45038 or Emerson 1203. Do not include species codes in your collection number, if your identification is not correct; then the code makes no sense.

USDA NRCS Plants Database Species Codes – 4-6 letter and number codes assigned to plants in the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service database, located at plants.usda.gov. The code consists of the first two letters in the genus name, the first two letters in the species name, and sometimes one or two numbers to distinguish between species with similar four-letter codes.

UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) - A mapping coordinate grid system based upon the Mercator projection. This contract is for the projected coordinate system UTM, Datum NAD 1983, Zones 10 North or 11 North. The data is displayed in meters Easting (X coordinate) and Northing (Y coordinate). The Contractor will be advised if this UTM projection changes and will be required to use the new projection.

VMAP (Vegetation Management Action Portal): The geodatabase used to record invasive plant survey, infestation, and treatment data. VMAP data are collected using the Field Maps App available from the Google Play store or on paper forms that will be provided at the pre-work or an alternative mobile data collection method utilizing AGOL.

Voucher Specimen – A specimen collected from field surveys for verification of species identification. See Attachment 9 for specific information on collection and preservation of specimens.

C.3.0 CONTRACTOR OBLIGATIONS

C.3.1 The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, supervision, materials (except Government furnished items specified in C.4.0) and incidentals necessary to perform vascular plant surveys in accordance with the enclosed specifications, terms, and conditions.

C.3.2 All federal and state rules and regulations will be followed as well as appropriate federal agency jurisdictional guidelines unique to each agency which include but are not limited to:

• ·Transportation

• ·Equipment Operation

• ·Licensing

• ·Permitting

• ·Safety

• ·Labor Laws

• ·Federal Travel Regulations

C.3.3 The principal partners/key personnel whose resumes are submitted with the offer shall survey a minimum of 50% of the acres. Resume for each surveyor added after award of the contract shall be submitted to the COR and approved by the COR prior to their beginning survey work.

C.3.4 Surveyors shall meet the following minimum technical requirements:

All surveyors:

1) Training in and experience with botanical survey field techniques. Ability to survey for, locate, and identify Medford District Special Status and invasive nonnative vascular, nonvascular, and fungus species and to distinguish them from similar species as described in Section J, Attachment 1,

2) Ability to navigate, by motor vehicle and on foot, in rough country using maps, compass, and GPS unit. Familiarity with field health and safety protocols for communication, first aid, etc.

3) Ability to complete all required report forms, whether on paper or via electronic data collection devices. Ability to use 35 mm or digital camera.

4) Ability to use technical flora and dichotomous botanical keys of the Klamath Mountains and Western Cascades floristic provinces.

5) Knowledge of collection methods for bryophytes, lichens, and fungi, microscope and micro-dissection techniques, and safe use of chemical spot tests used in identification.

6) Bachelor’s degree in botany or related field, such as biology or ecology. Minimum 4 upper division credits in vascular plant taxonomy and 2 upper division credits in nonvascular plant taxonomy. Participation in professional workshops in vascular or nonvascular species identification can be counted for credit (32 workshop hours equals one quarter-system credit).

Crew Trainee: Trainee conducts botanical surveys and collects field data under the supervision of the crew leader. No more than two trainees may be utilized per year for carrying out work. One year/season each of fungi, vascular and nonvascular botanical survey experience in the Pacific Northwest or northern California.

Crew Member: Crew Member conducts botanical surveys and collects field data.

Two years/seasons each of vascular, nonvascular, and fungi botanical survey experience with all species identified in Attachment 2, including using established protocols with seasonal, climatic, or time constraints.

Crew Lead: Crew Leader supervises survey crew members and trainees, and data collection.

Three years/seasons each of vascular, nonvascular, and fungi botanical survey experience with all species identified in Attachment 2, including using established protocols with seasonal, climatic, or time constraints.

Project Leader, Supervisor - Writes survey results and is ultimately responsible for the performance of the survey crew.

Minimum Requirements:

1) Bachelor’s degree in botany or related field, such as biology or ecology. Minimum 8 upper division credits in vascular plant taxonomy and 6 upper division credits in nonvascular plant taxonomy. Participation in professional workshops in vascular or nonvascular species identification can be counted for credit (32 workshop hours equals one quarter-system credit).

2) Three years/seasons each of vascular, nonvascular, and fungi botanical survey experience with all species identified in Attachment 3, to include the use of established protocols with seasonal, climatic, or time constraints.

3) Experience completing survey reports, organizing crews to complete surveys within biological windows, and coordinating and reviewing final paperwork submission for quality control.

C.3.5 Specifically, but not necessarily inclusive, the Contractor shall furnish:

a. Compass with azimuth and declination setting.

b. GPS unit and/or Android OS device with FIELD MAPS Mobile Mapper app (see item m.

below). Required settings are UTM Zone 10 North, NAD 83, in meters.

c. Convex densiometer.

d. Clinometer.

e. Hand lens (minimum magnification 10 X).

f. Dissecting microscope.

g. Digital camera with a minimum resolution of 5 mega-pixels and zoom capability, files saved in a JPEG format shared with the COR digitally.

h. Staple gun and staples or hammer and nails for affixing Plant Site signs.

Appropriate technical references (i.e., plant keys and monographs) to accurately identify botanical species encountered during the inventory. Examples include:

Vascular Plants-Stephen C. Meyers et al. Flora of Oregon Volume 1:Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, and Monocots, Stephen C. Meyers et al. Flora of Oregon: Volume 2: Dicots A-F (when available), Hickman The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California 2nd edition, Abrams Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States, Hitchcock & Cronquist Flora of the Pacific Northwest: An Illustrated Manual 2nd edition, Peck A Manual of the Higher Plants of Oregon, Mullens , Johnson, Osbrack & Showalter Rare Plants of Southwest Oregon, Whitson et al.

Weeds of the West, Wilson et al. Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacific Northwest.

Bryophytes-Lawton Moss Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Norris Keys to the Liverworts and Mosses of California (& Oregon), Malcom, Shevock and Norris California Mosses, Exeter Rare Bryophytes of Oregon, Oregon Species Fact Sheets http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/sfpnw/issssp/species-index/flora-bryophytes.shtml.

Lichens- McCune Macrolichens of the Pacific Northwest, Exeter Rare Lichens of Oregon.

Fungi-Trudell and Ammirati Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest, Norvell and Exeter Phaeocollybia of Pacific Northwest North America, Trappe et al Field Guide to North American Truffles, Arora Mushrooms Demystified, Exeter et al. Ramaria of the Pacific Northwestern

United States, Castellano et al. Handbook to Strategy 1 Fungal Species in the Northwest Forest Plan, Castellano et al. Handbook to Additional Fungal Species of Special Concern in the Northwest Forest Plan. On-line keys can be found at the Pacific Northwest Key Council:

http://www.svims.ca/council/

i. Minimum of two colors of fine-lined permanent marking pens for marking aerial photos and topographical maps.

j. Wide-lined permanent markers and wax pencils for marking flagging and plant sites in the field.

k. Additional color photocopies of aerial photos if needed (BLM provides one).

l. Additional copies of 1:12,000 topographical section maps if needed (BLM provides two).

m. Android mobile device compatible with FIELD MAPS Mobile Mapper App downloaded from the

Google Play Store for GeoBOB mobile data collection. GeoPlatform account requires you to collect mobile data with FIELD MAPS Mobile Mapper App. Direction provided and will be provided by COR if changes occur.

C.4.0 GOVERNMENT PROVIDED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

C.4.1 The Government will furnish to the Contractor the following materials, information, property, or services:

a. District road maps and 1:12,000 scale topographic maps of project areas with survey units in electronic format (georeferenced PDF) and hard copy.

b. Copies of aerial photos at 1:12,000 scale in electronic format (georeferenced PDF) and hard copy.

c. Flagging for marking survey routes and populations of Special Status plants.

d. Plant Site signs.

e. Microsoft Word compatible versions of Special Status Plant Survey Report Form (Attachment

4), 2nd Year Fritillaria gentneri Survey Report Form (Attachment 5), Special Status Plant Site Form (Attachment 6), and Noxious Weed Report Form (Attachment 7).

f. Medford District Special Status Vascular and Nonvascular and Fungi Lists (Attachment 3).

g. Medford District Invasive Plant Watch list & ODA Weed Policy & Classification

(Attachment 16 & 17).

h. Access to Soil Survey of Jackson and Josephine County Area, Oregon, USDA Soil

Conservation Service (https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/).

i. The BLM can provide training in use of GeoBOB Mobile data collection using the S1

Mobile App or other applicable mapping App.

C.4.2 The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such Government-provided property until completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. All property not consumed during the performance of this contract shall be returned upon acceptance of the work required under this contract. Items will be available from the COR at the Medford District Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR 97504.

C.5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS

C.5.1 Field Work

C.5.1.1 Survey Methodology: The Contractor shall search for Special Status and invasive nonnative vascular, nonvascular, and fungi species on the Medford District lists (Attachment 3). Most units shall be surveyed using the intuitive controlled survey method, unless they are under 2.5 acres, then a complete survey of the unit is required, or the survey type is specified to be an inventory.

The intuitive controlled method requires the surveyor to traverse most of each survey unit, passing through all differing plant associations, changes in slope, aspect, and other topographic features, seeking out suitable habitats for target species and intensively searching through them for any target species occurrences. The goal of the intuitive controlled survey is to either discover or rule out the presence of SS and invasive botanical species throughout the entire survey unit to a high degree of professional confidence. Upon arrival in an area of high potential habitat, a complete survey of target species shall be made. Invasive plants shall be documented when encountered.

Examples of suitable habitat for special status vascular and nonvascular species include (but are not http://www.svims.ca/council/ limited to) serpentine barrens, rock outcrops, riparian areas, meadows, oak savannas. Invasive nonnative habitats may include resource-rich areas that have experienced soil or other ecological disturbance, although invasive species infesting otherwise intact-appearing native communities are important to note. Suitable habitats for fungi include, but are not limited to, areas of deep, moist duff; large down wood; and areas of small mammal digs.

Special Status Fungi species will be documented when encountered during any survey line item.

C.5.1.2 Timing of Surveys: Field work shall be conducted during the stage of phenological development that assures visibility of characteristics necessary for accurate identification of target Special Status and invasive nonnative botanical taxa. April 1 to August 31 should normally encompass the time frame in which identification of vascular plants is possible. April 1 to May 31 is generally the time frame when Fritillaria gentneri can be detected, though it can bloom earlier at low elevation sites and later at high elevation sites. Nonvascular species can be identified year-round. More than one entry into portions of the land proposed for botanical inventory may be required. Timing of surveys should consider potential target species, seasonal climate, elevation, aspect, and habitat for each project area.

C.5.1.5 Units where boundaries are not clearly identified on the ground shall be surveyed by approximating the boundary location from maps and photos provided by the Government. If requested by contractor, the BLM can provide electronic GIS shape files of units to be surveyed. Survey Route Documentation:

The preferred method of survey route documentation is through a GPS track collected with a device & submitted to BLM electronically. Paper map route documentation may be employed only if GPS track logging is not possible.

Route flagging: Double strands of route flagging shall be hung at the beginning and end of each route. Single strands shall be hung along the survey line to show the route taken while conducting the survey; flags must be visible from one flag to the next, so spacing in between flags varies depending on the type and amount of vegetation. In general, flags should be hung every 100 feet. The flagged survey route shall be accurately depicted in an electronic GPS track or on a separate topographic section map if unable to collect an electronic route. When contours of the land and/or dense vegetation reduce visibility, flagging shall be hung at whatever intervals are needed to follow the survey lines. Route flagging shall be white with green polka dots.

C.5.1.6 Monitoring known Special Status sites: The Contractor shall attempt to relocate known Special

Status fungi, vascular and nonvascular plant sites within the survey area to re-collect population data. Known site locations to be re-documented will be shown on the maps provided to the Contractor by the BLM, provided in the feature service geodatabase in FIELD MAPS, along with copies of the original site reports. Relocations shall be treated like new sites for data collection purposes and shall be re-flagged, signed, mapped, and site forms completed. If the original site is relocated but no plants are present, the contractor shall complete a site form and report the number of plants as 0. If the Contractor is unable to relocate the known site, this shall be reported in the summary report for each section.

Revisits of special status plant sites outside of survey units will follow the same steps as revisits inside of survey units.

C.5.1.7 GeoBOB mobile data collection method: This is the required method of data collection for Survey

Polygons, Flora sites and Flora Observations. Unless otherwise instructed by the COR, the Contractor shall collect GeoBOB Flora sites (required) data on an electronic device (tablet, phone or similar device running a recent Android operating system) for Special Status vascular, nonvascular and fungi occurrences. This will occur using the Field Maps App, requiring a GeoPlatform account to access ArcGIS online. A user geodatabase feature service must be downloaded prior to being able to collect mobile data. Data shall be submitted (‘synched’) at regular intervals agreed upon by the COR and contractor at the pre-work conference.

The BLM will train surveyors in GeoBOB mobile data collection methods.

In the case that mobile data collection is not possible, paper flora site forms must be filled out and must be submitted in electronic format and on paper forms.

C.5.1.8 Invasive plants: The Contractor shall collect invasive plant infestation data when populations of target species on the lists in attachment 16 & 17 are encountered. The BLM uses the Field Maps application accessed through GeoPlatform. BLM will provide a list of target invasive plants that data must be collected on which will include ODA A & B list species and any BLM priorities.

a. For manual data collection:

1) indicate the extent of the population on a separate topographical map and aerial photo

2) record the following data for each species and population on the topographical map:

i. species name

ii. approximate area of the infestation in square feet

iii. percent cover

iv. survey date

If there are multiple noxious weed sites in a section, number them on the map and record the data on the Noxious Weed Report Form (Attachment 7).

C.5.1.9 For Sub-Items AA-AF & AN the Contractor shall compile species lists in electronic and paper formats for each section of all fungi, vascular and/or nonvascular plants—according to taxa group of the line item—encountered during surveys of all units in that section. Oregon BLM follows Flora of Oregon taxonomy and nomenclature checklists. Species codes are obtained from USDA plants The lists shall be specific to the units surveyed, not generic lists, and shall include all species encountered and no species not encountered. The lists shall be in the formats shown in Attachment 8, and submitted electronically and on paper, excel spreadsheets are preferred. Species lists shall include species codes (USDA Plants Database), scientific names, families, special habitats and/or substrates where applicable, and specially indicate Special Status taxa. Special habitats include areas such as, e.g., riparian areas, rock outcrops, serpentine soil, or oak woodlands. All species lists shall include a heading on each page with the 1) project name, 2) legal description, 3) type of survey (fungi, vascular, and/or nonvascular), 4) survey date, and 5) Surveyor’s name. No species list is required for Sub-Item AL.

C.5.1.10 For Sub-Items AA-AL, the Contractor shall complete a Survey Report for each section surveyed that includes whether Special Status or invasive plant sites are found and habitat summaries for each unit, to be submitted electronically and on paper (see attachment 4). The summary report shall include information on unit topography (including relationship to watershed), plant association name at least to the Alliance level (from the US National Vegetation Classification http://usnvc.org/), special habitats (e.g. seeps, rock outcrops), apparent history (e.g. burned), management effects, Special Status plants and habitats if found (including FRGE habitat, FRRE & FRAF occurrences & fritillary leaves), noxious weed populations encountered, dumps, impacts from heavy OHV use or grazing, and other noteworthy observations.

C.5.1.11 For Sub-Item AJ, the Contractor shall complete a 2nd year Fritillaria gentneri Survey Report

(Attachment 5). A species list and separate narrative report is not required, although the Contractor shall give general habitat information and record if Fritillaria sp. leaves are present and noteworthy observations on the survey report form.

C.5.2 Monumenting and Documenting Special Status Vascular and Nonvascular Plant Sites

C.5.2.1 When Special Status vascular or nonvascular plants are discovered, the location or boundaries of the population shall be clearly delineated on the ground as described below with flagging provided by the COR. The Contractor shall also describe on the site form how the site was flagged.

a. All Vascular and nonvascular sites shall be marked with two long (2–3 ft in length, from where flagging is tied onto branch to tip of flagging) yellow/black striped flags as close to the center of the population as possible, but in a location where they can easily be seen from a distance. If no trees or shrubs are close to the species occurrence to attach the flags to, hang them on the closest trees or shrubs within 50 feet and indicate on the flagging the azimuth and distance to the actual plant location. Hang 4 flags that can be seen from a distance around the population. Hang single yellow/black flags around the perimeter of the population and double yellow/black striped flags close to the actual locations of the Special Status plants and fully encompassing the outer edge of the population so the flagging is marking the full extent of the population. Flags should be hung in close enough proximity that you can see the next one and follow the population boundary. Map the population in field maps as a flora site polygon that matches the flagged population boundary.

b. For all populations, label flagging from the knot down on the upper end of the flag, using a wide-tipped permanent black marker. Include the USDA Plants code, date, site number, and surveyor’s initials on the flags. Clearly label flags for multiple sites of one species within one unit or proposed project area as Population 1, 2, 3, etc. When multiple flagging is hung at a site, label the center flag with all required information and at least some of the additional flags with the species code and the site number. For larger populations, indicate on the site form how the site was flagged and signed.

C.5.2.2 At all Special Status fungi, vascular and nonvascular populations, post “Plant Site” signs on the live tree nearest to the center of the population. Attach signs five to six feet above the ground using a staple gun or hammer and nails. Hang enough signs around the perimeter of the tree so that one is visible from every direction (e.g., attach three signs around a medium-size tree and four signs around a large tree). On the sign facing the plants, write the species name code (e.g., CYFA for Cypripedium fasciculatum), site number, date, surveyor’s initials, and the azimuth and distance in feet to all Special Status plants.

C.5.2.3 Documenting Special Status Vascular and Nonvascular Plants, Sub-Item AM

C.5.2.4 Record population, habitat, and site data with the FIELD MAPS Mobile App for Flora Sites, and on a Special Status Plant Site Form if technical difficulties prevent mobile data collection (Attachment 6).

C.5.2.5 Photograph Special Status species. Take at least one photograph of the plant(s) and at least one photograph of the general habitat where it is located. The habitat photograph should be taken after identifying flagging has been hung. Label each photograph (or name each file) with the township, range, section, unit number, species code, site number, date, and surveyor’s name.

C.5.2.6 Collect UTM coordinates at the site The GPS point datum should be accurate to within 20 feet or

<2.5 position dilution of precision (PDOP). The accuracy level shall be recorded as +/- feet accuracy or as a PDOP number (number indicating precision of coordinates) on the site form if provided on the GPS unit (e.g., accurate within 8 feet). No more than 15 minutes total is required at any site to collect GPS point data. If, after this time, insufficient satellites are detected, try off-setting the location to an area where adequate satellites are detected and record the distance and azimuth to the site on the site form. If insufficient satellites are detected after 15 minutes at the offset location, no further attempts are required, and the mapped location will be accepted.

The GPS equipment should be programmed at the following settings:

Coordinates: UTM Zone: 10 North Datum: North American Datum 1983 Units: Meters

C.5.3 Documenting Special Status Fungi

C.5.3.1 When Special Status fungi are discovered, flag the population in the following way using black/yellow striped or other designated flagging provided by the BLM. Indicate on the site form how the site was flagged.

a. For small sites with one to a few clumped sporocarps, hang 2 long (2-3 ft in length, from where flagging is tied onto branch to tip of flagging) black/yellow striped or other designated flagging by the BLM over the population but in a location where they can be easily seen from a distance.

Indicate on the flagging the azimuth and distance to the actual species location. Hang shorter single strands of yellow/black flagging closer to the ground of the actual location(s) of the Special Status fungi as needed. Post Plant Site signs on the nearest tree. On the sign facing the population, write the species code, date, surveyor’s initials, and azimuth and distance to the sporocarps. Draw the population as a dot on the topographical map and aerial photo.

b. For sites with scattered sporocarps within a 30-to-50-foot diameter area, place single black/yellow striped around the perimeter of the polygon – approximately every 10 feet - and 2 long (2-3 ft in length, from where flagging is tied onto branch to tip of flagging) flags in the center of the population. Hang shorter (approximately 1.5 ft in length) single flags – black and yellow striped -close to the actual location(s) of the Special Status fungi sporocarps. Post Plant Site signs on a tree within the population polygon. Draw the population boundary on both the topographical map and the aerial photo. GPS the center of the population and map these sites as small polygons.

c. For sites with scattered sporocarps within a 50 to 300-foot diameter area, place 2 long (2-3 ft long) yellow/black striped flags over individual sporocarps or small clusters of sporocarps and give them a unique site number. Post Plant Site signs on the nearest tree to the clusters. Map the boundary of the population on both the topographical map and the aerial photo as a polygon. No perimeter flagging is needed. GPS each sub-population and show their locations relative to each other with their site numbers on the site form or a separate map. Indicate on the site form how many sub-populations were flagged within the polygon.

C 5.3.2 For the rest of fungi documentation, follow stips lined out in C5.2.2 through C5.2.5.

C.5.4 Documentation of Surveys

C.5.4.1 All fieldwork shall be fully documented. For inspection purposes, brief biweekly progress reports on work completed shall be submitted to the COR, including a spreadsheet indicating percent completion of survey units, dates surveyed, and surveyor initials and any special status or invasive plant sites located, draft site reports, maps with the locations of any noxious weed and special status plant and/or fungi species found. If sites were collected in FIELD MAPS and have been synced, the draft reports & maps are not required but the spreadsheet indicating progress is. The day and time for submittal of progress reports will be established at the pre-work conference.

C.5.4.2 The following documentation is required for each section completed and shall be submitted on paper and electronically:

a. Special Status Plant Survey Report for Sub-Items AA-AF & AN; Special Status Plant Survey

Report for 2nd year Fritillaria gentneri Surveys for Sub-Item AJ (hard copy and electronic).

b. Electronic route track for each survey unit. If unable to collect electronic tracks notify COR and provide topographical map showing survey routes for each unit surveyed.

c. Special Status Plant Site documented by FIELD MAPS Mobile App form for each Special Status vascular or nonvascular plant population or paper form if unable to collect data with FIELD

MAPS and COR notified (hard copy and electronic).

d. Separate topographical map showing each Special Status plant location found (hard copy and electronic). The map should contain only the population described on the Plant Site form.

e. Composite topographical map for each section showing all Special Status plant sites (hard copy and electronic).

f. Separate topographical map(s) for noxious weed populations, with locations and data.

g. Vascular plant species list (hard copy and electronic) of all plants encountered during the surveys.

h. Nonvascular plant species list (hard copy and electronic) of plants encountered during surveys for

i. Narrative report for Sub-Items AA-AL (hard copy and electronic).

j. Photographs of Special Status vascular plants found submitted electronically.

Botany Surveys, Medford ,Oregon SOLICITATION NO. 140L4326Q0020 BLM Medford District

C.5.4.3 The Contractor shall review and edit all forms and maps prior to submitting them to the

COR to ensure that forms are properly filled out and all information submitted is legible.

All paperwork shall be organized and submitted by section with paperclips, not staples.

C.5.4.4 Upon completion a summary spreadsheet of Special Status vascular and nonvascular plants and invasive weeds discovered in the project area(s) shall be submitted to COR.

This report should list the Special Status and invasive species by section and how many sites of each were found.

C.5.5 Special Status Plant Collection and Fungi Vouchering

C.5.5.1 First-time encounters of invasive nonnative or Special Status botanical species may require collection of material for accurate identification. Collection of Special Status species shall be made only when the population can withstand a reduction in its numbers.

The minimum number of vascular plants in a population which can withstand a reduction shall be twenty. No collection shall be made in populations of less than twenty without the authorization of the COR. No collection of Threatened, Endangered or Proposed species shall be made.

C.5.5.2 All vascular plant voucher collections shall be pressed and dried to herbarium standards as described in Vascular Plant Taxonomy by Dirk R. Walters and David J. Keil with labels bearing the survey unit name, unit number, township, range, section, species name, date collected, and collector. The collection number shall be written on the corresponding site form. Voucher specimens shall be delivered to the COR with the weekly progress report and no later than submission of the final invoice. Nonvascular specimens shall be collected in Lichen/Bryophyte packets according to the directions in the Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program and Survey and Manage Mitigation Measure Species: Vouchering Policy for Bryophytes, Lichens, Fungi, Vascular Plants, Mollusks, and Other Invertebrates memo and the Guidelines for Collecting, Processing and Shipping Bryophyte and Lichen Vouchers (Attachment 9). Vouchered specimens shall be turned into the COR no later than the final date for submission of paperwork.

C.5.5.3 All Special Status fungi sites shall be vouchered with Field Tags (Attachment 13) and appropriate Fungi Description Forms (Attachment 11). All information shall be completed on the form. Fresh voucher specimens shall be digitally photographed.

Collection, vouchering, and preservation of specimens shall follow the Mandatory Guidelines for Collecting, Processing and Shipping: Fungal Taxa Groups (Attachment 12). Voucher specimens will be separately packaged, and each package will contain the voucher specimen, a copy of the site report, and a copy of the fungi description form (Attachment 11). In addition, copies of all forms will be provided to the COR, and the voucher specimen spreadsheet will be filled out and electronically submitted to the COR.

Vouchers should NOT be directly sent to the Oregon State Office.

2. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE:

Table 1. Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan for Vascular, Non-Vascular, and Fungi Surveys.

Performance Requirement

Performance Standard Performance Measurement

Penalties and Incentives

Adhere to all survey protocols See Section C.5.1.1

The procedures and documentation of the survey protocols are completed as described.

• Inspect 100% of survey and site forms to ensure compliance with protocols.

• Inspection of survey procedures may be ongoing while survey is in progress.

See Sections E.1 (Inspection of Services); #11 (Rework) and #14 (Payment)

Documentation forms and maps See Section C.5.2-C.5.4

All forms (survey form, population site forms) and maps are filled out completely and legibly according to contract specifications and survey protocols. Able to relocate site from map. There is a linking identifier to all maps and voucher specimens.