Task_Order_BLCA_SAND_SeedCollection_PWS.pdf

Contract # Task Order #

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Contract #

30 September 2024 Colorado Native Seed Collection

SCOPE: The contractor shall perform the work of this contract for the National Park Service (NPS) as described below.

CONFIDENTIALITY: The information developed under this contract is the property of the U.S. government and shall be kept in strict confidence.

PERFORMANCE PERIOD: The work of this contract shall be provided from date of award through 30 November 2025.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION: The work of this contract shall consist of native seed collection and delivery.

CONTACTS:

The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for this contract is: See COR Appointment Letter

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This contract will provide native seed collection and delivery to facilitate the restoration of native vegetation in Intermountain West Region National Park Service units (including Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site) and adjacent U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

Figure 1. Map of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area

Figure 2. Map of Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

DRAFT

jescott Highlight

II. SCOPE OF SERVICES

TASK 1. 2025 Field Season Kick-off Call (Item No. 0001) This task will include one-hour long phone/video call between the Contractor and the COR to discuss the priorities, timing, points of contact and other logistics of the 2025 seed collection season. This call shall occur at a time agreed upon between the COR and Contractor, but shall be several months in advance of the start of the seed collection season (most likely starting in mid-June). Contractor is responsible for taking detailed notes of the meeting and sending them electronically to the COR for concurrence. This field season call is considered a Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the Contractor.

TASK 2. 2025 Grassland Native Seed Collection (Item No. 0002)

The work of this task is to collect native plant seed that will be cleaned and sent to a grower to start seed increase fields.

Seed shall be collected from 3-5 different species (likely one-two grasses and two-three forbs) during the 2025 growing season. A listing of the potential species for collection is in Table 1 below (only a subset of 3-5 species will be agreed upon for collection and only a total of 40 bulk pounds is required for collection). A final determination on which species to collect will be determined by the NPS in conjunction with the Contractor prior to collection and will be dependent on which species are most readily available that growing season. Collection is permissible anywhere in Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (SAND) and the Commanche National Grassland boundaries. Collection outside of NPS and USFS lands is also acceptable, as long as the Contractor has obtained permission, in the following Colorado counties: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers within the elevation band of 3500 to 4500 feet.

Prior to seed collection the Contractor is authorized to conduct one scouting trip to gauge the growing season phenology of the target species to know best when to collect and find the most efficient locations to harvest the target species.

DRAFT

Seed Collection: Collect the species and quantities listed below (Table 1) using the Seeds of Success protocol. The Contractor should anticipate NPS staff at SAND shall provide minimal phenology updates on flowering and seed set. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to time collections accurately for the most efficient seed collection.

Species occur in both sparse and dense patches and collection sites may be dispersed throughout the Park.

Seed shall be collected throughout the growing season, i.e. for early, middle and late ripening species. Collection sites and timing of seed collection must be coordinated in advance with the COR. The Contractor shall collect seed as directed herein using the Quality Standards as listed in section IV. The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, supplies, and transportation to collect seed and to properly handle and dry collected seed.

Collection records must be regularly maintained and provided to the COR at the end of the collection season.

Between the time seed is collected and when it is cleaned the Contractor shall assure all plant material is properly handled and labeled. Proper handling may include drying seed on tarps or racks and turning daily. Seed may also be dried in well-ventilated and labeled seed collection or paper bags, by turning materials daily. The Contractor shall work with the COR on specifications for temporary storage of bulk material of each species. The Contractor shall also take precautions to prevent the predation of seed by insects, rodents, and any other animal, as well as contamination with other plant materials (particularly non-collected seed). The Contractor shall also be responsible for fumigating all grass seed according to SOS protocols.

The Contractor shall maintain a log-book of daily collection activities. Activities including hours spent collecting, species collected, bulk weights of the days collected materials, GPS locations of collections (in latitude and longitude or UTMs), and species labeling, drying, and handling procedures shall be documented. The log-book shall be provided to the COR at the end of each collection trip. The Contractor shall either provide GNSS (i.e. GIS) shapefiles and the datum used for GPS at the end of the collection season or enter all data into the SOS database (as determined by the COR).

Adjustments will be made based on field conditions should phenology and/or growing conditions prevent collecting at the anticipated time or if target species are not available at the targeted rates. All adjustments must have prior approval from the COR.

This task shall also follow all of the Quality Standards listed below in III.

Table 1. – SAND 2025 Seed Collection Species List (listed in order of priority). Anticipated species and target bulk collection pounds are shown below. Adjustments will be made based on field conditions and are subject to change at the discretion of the COR. Field conditions may vary widely due to un-predictability of snow and rainfall.

Species Target Collection (Bulk pounds)*

Ratibida tagetes 2 Callirhoe bushii/ involucrata 6 Mentzelia decapetala/nuda 6 Dalea candida 7 Elymus elymoides 10 Ambrosia psilostachya 10 Machaeranthera pinnatifida 3 Symphyotrichum ericoides 2 Gaillardia pulchella 10 Oenothera suffructens/Gaura coccinea 10 Eriogonum annuum 10 Sphaeralcea coccinea 5 Oxytropis sericea 20 Grindelia squarrosa 10

Penstemon albidus 20 Packera neomexicana 3 Helianthus petiolaris 15 Bouteloua gracilis 3 Psoralidium tenuiflorum 40

TOTAL REQUIRED BULK POUNDS** 40

*The Bulk pounds listed are the amount per species the Contractor shall strive to collect under this contract if this species is chosen for collection. If the Contractor finds that the amount available for collection is over or under 10% of the amount listed in the table they shall contact the COR for approval to over collect that species or make a species substitution if it cannot be found at the table listed quantity.

**The total Bulk pounds is a required amount, whereas the Bulk pounds per species can be altered per COR approval.

TASK 3. 2025 Grassland Native Seed Delivery (Item No. 0003) Seed shall be delivered to either the Bend Seed Extractory (63095 Deschutes Market Road, Bend, OR 97701) or Dorena Genetics Resource Center (Attn: Haley Smith, 34963 Shoreview Rd, Cottage Grove, OR 97424), as determined by the COR, by date determined by the COR (generally in November). This date may change depending on collection timelines and must be coordinated with the COR to ensure either Bend or Dorena is prepared for the shipment. The Contractor shall follow state seed laws and assure safe, legal, and prompt delivery of seed to the extractory. Seed shall be transported in industry standard seed bags (as per the Contractor provided and COR approved). Seed shipment shall be sent 2-day shipping on either a Monday or Tuesday and tracked (tracking number shall be emailed to COR upon shipment) to minimize the amount of time the seed spends in non-climate controlled conditions. This task shall also follow all of the Quality Standards listed below in III.

TASK 4. 2025 Sagebrush Native Seed Collection (Item No. 0004)

The work of this task is to collect native plant seed that will be cleaned and sent to a grower to start seed increase fields.

Seed shall be collected from 3-5 different species (likely half grasses and half forbs) during the 2025 growing season. A listing of the potential species for collection is in Table 1 below (only a subset of 3-5 species will be agreed upon for collection and only a total of 40 bulk pounds is required for collection). A final determination on which species to collect will be determined by the NPS in conjunction with the Contractor prior to collection and will be dependent on which species are most readily available that growing season. Collection is permissible anywhere within Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (BLCA), Curecanti National Recreation Area (CURE) boundaries, with the exception of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Wilderness area (Contractor is responsible for knowing location of designated Wilderness boundary when collecting). Collection within Colorado National Monument (COMO) and adjacent U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands may also be approved by NPS. Collection outside of NPS lands is also acceptable, as long as the Contractor has obtained permission, in the following Colorado counties: Delta, Mesa, and Montrose within the elevation band of 4500 to 6500 feet. The Contractor must submit a BLCA/CURE research permit application for collection before collection may begin. Both park units should be called out as collection areas under one BLCA research permit application.

Prior to seed collection the Contractor is authorized to conduct one scouting trip to gauge the growing season phenology of the target species to know best when to collect and find the best locations to harvest the target species.

Seed Collection: Collect the species and quantities listed below (Table 2) using the Seeds of Success protocol and all of the requirements listed in Task 1. The Contractor should anticipate NPS staff at BLCA shall provide minimal phenology updates on flowering and seed set. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to time collections accurately for the most efficient seed collection. Species occur in both sparse and dense patches and collection sites may be dispersed throughout the Park.

This task shall also follow all of the Quality Standards listed below in III.

Table 2. – BLCA 2025 Seed Collection Species List (listed in order of priority). Anticipated species and target bulk collection pounds are shown below. Adjustments will be made based on field conditions and are subject to change at the discretion of the COR. Field conditions may vary widely due to un-predictability of snow and rainfall.

*The Bulk pounds listed are the amount per species the Contractor shall strive to collect under this contract if this species is chosen for collection. If the Contractor finds that the amount available for collection is over or under 10% of the amount listed in the table they shall contact the COR for approval to over collect that species or make a species substitution if it cannot be found at the table listed quantity.

**The total Bulk pounds is a required amount, whereas the Bulk pounds per species can be altered per COR approval.

TASK 5. 2025 Sagebrush Native Seed Delivery (Item No. 0005) Seed delivery shall follow the Scope of Services listed above under Task 2 of Section II. This task shall also follow all of the Quality Standards listed below in III.

III. QUALITY STANDARDS

Quality Standards shall be in accordance with the contract, commercial practices and as described in this statement of work.

If the Contractor has concerns regarding meeting any of the following quality standards, the COR must be notified in writing with an explanation and possible corrective actions at the earliest opportunity. A determination of the most effective corrective action as mutually agreed upon will be made, which may result in a modification

Species

Target Collection (Bulk pounds)*

Elymus elymoides 10

Heterotheca villosa 8

Achillea millefolium 3

Eriogonum lonchophyllum/racemosum 8

Bromus ciliatus 10

Solidago velutina 3

Mertensia brevistyla 10

Acnatherum hymenoides 15

Lupinus caudatus ssp caudatus 30

Packera multilobata 3

Balsamorhiza sagittata/Wyethia angustifolia

TOTAL REQUIRED BULK POUNDS** 40

of this contract.

1. Species Identification: Collectors must be knowledgeable of local plant species in Colorado.

Collectors shall be able to identify target and non-target plants to subspecies level (see Table 1 and 2 for target collection species).

2. Stage of Maturity: All species shall be harvested when the seed maturity is at the hard dough stage or later.

The stage of seed maturity should be checked by cross sectioning several seeds from each site using a knife or fingernail clippers and a hand lens to confirm maturity. If seed is at an early hard dough stage Contractor will collect a larger portion of the stem and allow seed to dry and mature while attached to the stem.

3. Purity: Take precautions to ensure that non target species are not accidentally collected and mixed during the collection process. Often it is impossible to separate similar species once mixed together.

4. Weed Prevention Protocol: Ensure all vehicles, gear, tools, equipment, personnel (e.g., clothing, boots, laces) PPE, etc. involved with or otherwise used in project implementation arrive to the project site clean and free of off-site soil and organic debris.

5. Seed shall be collected following the Seeds of Success (SOS) protocol with the exception that only one voucher specimen is required per species. Additional seed collection standards, conditions, care, and storage are below:

a. Seed will be collected by hand. No ground disturbance will be incurred.

b. No more than 20% of the total seed of an annual or biennial individual may be collected. For perennial species no more than 30% of the total seed may be removed, unless prior approval by the COR has been granted.

c. Significant damages (such as cut limbs or crushing) to the parent plant should not be incurred during seed collection.

d. Seed heads may be cut off just below the flower inflorescence, however cutting shears must be sterilized with a 7% bleach solution or 70-90% rubbing alcohol between accessions to prevent disease spread.

e. Care must be taken to avoid weedy areas in order to avoid seed contamination and the spread of non-natives.

f. No off-road vehicle driving is allowed for collection. Vehicles must stay on designated roadbeds that are not overgrown with vegetation.

g. Seed collectors must provide the COR with a schedule of collection dates and locations and notify them of any changes to that schedule within 48 hours.

h. Before entering park lands tools/equipment, clothing, shoes and gloves that have been utilized off park lands shall be cleaned and sterilized prior to entry.

i. Do not collect seed in the rain, snow, or periods of heavy dew.

j. Seeds will be placed in paper (or industry standard cloth or seed bags) bags with sufficient air exchange and labeled with species name, bulk weight, seed collector’s name, general site location, and date written on the bag. The bag will be secured to reduce material loss.

k. Storage of seed: To prevent damage of seed by mold development, at the end of each collection day, air dry collected seed. Properly store all seed. Bulk material shall be stored such that it has good ventilation and dries properly per standard seed handling procedures.

l. Seed bags will be kept in a cool, dry place during all phases of collection, handling, cleaning and storage. Seed shall also be protected from animal predation by storage in appropriate containers.

m. If anytime during the seed collection process potential plant populations of seed collection value not noted in Table 1 or 2. are identified, these species will be immediately communicated to the COR for approval for seed collection.

n. Seed collected in excess of the ordered amounts listed in this contract will be used as an off set to other species that only partial quantities were collected.

NOTE: NPS has a strict policy related to plant materials collected within the boundaries of the park. All seed originating from the collection effort in the contract shall be provided to the NPS.

6. Seed Storage: Seed shall not be allowed to become wet, predated, placed in direct sunlight, or hot (over

900) after harvest. Dry and allow seed to mature as necessary prior to shipping for cleaning. Ensure that temporary storage materials are free of non-target (including non-native) seed.

7. Seed Delivery: All seed delivered shall conform to all laws and regulations pertaining to the sale and shipment of seed required by the Federal Seed Act and Colorado State Seed laws and according to SOS protocols. Seed shall be shipped in a manner that will prevent damage to the seed and arrive expeditiously at the Bend Seed Extractory or Dorena Genetics Resource Center, as determined by the COR . Seed shall be shipped once seed is dried down. Seed is to remain dry, in breathable seed bags, and unmixed (meaning one accession is not mixed with another) upon delivery. The Contractor shall provide notification to the COR one week before the seed is shipped to ensure Bend/Dorena is prepared for the shipment. Tracking numbers shall be provided to COR at the time of shipment.

8. Acceptance and Reporting: Acceptance will be determined by meeting all seed quality standards required by this statement of work.

IV. DELIVERABLES and SCHEDULE: December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025

2025 Deliverables Schedule Attend yearly field season kick-off call and provide notes to COR (Task 1)

TBD

Conduct seed scouting trip to gain information on seed phenology and collection locations. (Task 2).

TBD

Collect seed from 3-5 grassland species (Task 2). TBD

Submit seed collection log and GIS data for 2025 grassland collection locations (Task 2)

TBD

Deliver grassland seed (Task 3) TBD Conduct seed scouting trip in sagebrush areas to gain information on seed phenology and collection locations. (Task 4).

TBD

Collect seed from 3-5 sagebrush species (Task 4) TBD Submit sagebrush seed collection log and GIS data for 2025 collection locations (Task 4)

Deliver sagebrush seed (Task 5) TBD

Dates shall be coordinated and approved by the COR after award