Statement of Work.pdf

USDA-ARS, PA, Oklahoma, and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center

7207 W. Cheyenne St.

El Reno, OK 73036

Statement of Work (SOW)

Project: Long-Term Agriculture Research Network Net Zero Carbon Project

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a primary indicator of soil health and has been used to approximate nutrient cycling, yield stability, food security, climatic change, and the resilience of agroecosystems. However, current research in carbon cycling in agroecosystems does not sufficiently address the adoption of multiple integrated conservation practices across varying agroecosystems and climates via a multidisciplinary approach. Additionally, carbon (C) stocks and flows are often driven by the ratio of C to nitrogen (N) in both soil and plant biomass. I am the Long-Term Agro-Ecosystem Research (LTAR) network site lead for OPARC and am contributing to a set of national carbon balance data cataloged by the soil data inventory working group to address the potential benefit or in some instances limits agroecosystems have on carbon accrual and sequestration. The data to be analyzed will be used to calculate a carbon (C) balance across several LTAR sites representing varying management, soil textures, and climatic conditions that will result in a carbon neutral, positive or negative balance. The mass balance will include carbon sequestration, biomass C and N, litter C and N, SOC, photosynthesis, respiration, and C loss to disturbance. The C balances will be used to aid the working group to design a soil health project across the LTAR network.

Our research emphasizes the need to integrate multiple drivers controlling C cycling that represent indicators to determine the impact of agroecosystems on ecosystems services across regions of the US.

2.0 Background: Justification of Workflow

The analyses proposed to be performed by the vendor are soil organic carbon and nitrogen via dry combustion on a C/N Analyzer. The analyses should not include measurement of inorganic carbon (carbonates).

• Total soil organic carbon and nitrogen 591

• Total carbon and nitrogen in plant tissue 384

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks: The analyses to be performed by the vendor are soil organic carbon and nitrogen via dry combustion on a C/N Analyzer. This does not include measurement of inorganic soil carbon i.e., carbonates. The method should have a detection limit of approximately 0.05% for carbon and nitrogen of soil and plant tissue samples. Sample analysis of both soils (591) and plant tissue

(384) must be completed one month after receipt of samples or NLT September 15, 2023. The method should have a detection limit of approximately 0.05% for carbon and nitrogen in soil and plant samples. Analyses must be sent in an excel spreadsheet and provided by email.

4.0 Government Furnished: The research unit will provide the soil and plant samples.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule: One time during the physical year contract, and we have specified when the analyses are due. Sample analysis of both soils (591) and plant tissue (384) must be completed one month after receipt of samples or NLT September 15, 2023.

6.0 Travel: None

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel: Dependent upon the vendor awarded the contract.

8.0 Security Requirements: None

9.0 Data Rights: Data will be owned by USDA ARS

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards: None