Statement of Work and Need-Native Seed Harvester.docx

Statement of Work and Need Native Seed Harvester March 31, 2023 75 CEG/CEIE, Hill AFB Natural Resource Program

SCOPE:

Provide a native seed harvester capable of collecting seeds from a variety of desirable plant species that will be used in habitat restoration and improvement efforts. Must be able to harvest plants of many different heights and structure, in variable uneven terrain.

BACKGROUND:

The Hill AFB Natural Resource Program is responsible for managing all Natural Resources including all plants and wildlife on all Hill-associated properties. These properties constitute approximately 1 million acres across three different states. The vast majority of this property is within the Great Basin Eco-region which has seen invasive plants, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectoris) inundate vast acreages and out-compete the desirable plants that foster healthy wildlife populations. Because it is highly flammable, cheatgrass creates a fire-prone system in which it thrives. By nature of the military operations that occur on DoD properties, they are increasingly susceptible to fires. These fires often result in loss of native plants, native wildlife, and can impact DoD operations and safety.

The Hill AFB Natural Resource Program has been implementing measures including rangeland restoration to combat cheatgrass encroachment and help make Hill-associated properties more resilient and sustainable. We have steadily increased our capacity to reclaim and re-seed areas over the last fifteen years by adding equipment capable of treating larger acreages of difficult terrain. This equipment includes harrows, disks, seed imprinters, seed drills, and seed broadcasters…but no seed harvesters. Because some of the plant species that we work with have evolved in harsh conditions, they often possess unique traits that make them capable of surviving in the specific locations we are trying to restore. It would be highly beneficial to harvest seeds from specific locations to maximize the suitability of the plants used in our efforts. Hence, we are seeking a harvester that is capable of collecting seeds from a variety of desirable plants so that we can maximize the efficiency and successfulness of our habitat restoration efforts.

PERFORMANCE:

For a native seed harvester to be effective, it must be able to operate on uneven surfaces including gullies, rocky areas, and dirt mounds. The harvester will need to be able to be towed behind an ATV, UTV, and four-wheel drive truck while in operation. As the implement is being towed, it needs to be able to be offset to the side so that it can harvest plants that are not being driven over. Because the harvester will be used in uneven terrain, the body of the harvester needs to be able to be raised or lowered as the terrain requires. This needs to be capable of being done on-the-go from the seat of the towing vehicle. The body of the implement must be able to be raised at least 45 inches. The harvester also needs to be able to be turned off and on from the seat of the towing vehicle. Because the harvester will be used for a variety of plant species, it needs to have a stiff brush head as well as a metal head to collect seeds that are more difficult to remove. The speed of the spinning brush and metal heads needs to be adjustable to accommodate different plant structures. The spinning direction of the brush head needs to be able to be reversed to harvest short grass species. To maximize efficiency, the harvesting area needs to be a minimum of 60 inches wide.

SPECIFICATIONS:

· Electric or gas-powered motor

· Adjustable height while in tow without cords

· Towable behind ATV, UTV, 4-wheel drive truck

· Can be offset to the side of the towing vehicle

· Adjustable height minimum of 40 inches

· Brush head and metallic head options

· Reversible brush head

· Speed of rotating head must be adjustable

· Rotating head can be turned off/on from seat of the towing vehicle without cords

· Solid seed collection hopper part of the harvester

· Minimum 60 inches of harvesting width

· Overall width less than 96 inches

· Reflective safety striping and towing lights

· Capable of being towed on freeway roads

NEED DATE:

September 20, 2023