A.07.23._Solicitation_PWS_Attachment_1.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

DWORSHAK BIO-CONTROL TREATMENT OF WEEDS

Part 1 – General Information

1.0 General: This is a non-personal services contract to provide Biological Control (Bio-control) Treatment for Noxious Weed Control and Monitoring on terrestrial lands managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) around Dworshak Dam and Reservoir (Dworshak Project). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contractor employees performing the services herein. Such contractor employees shall be accountable solely to the Contractor, who in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Introduction: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform biological control of noxious weeds on COE lands as defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified in Part 3, Government Furnished Services and Information. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The COE has a mission to manage natural resources and act as stewards of its lands and waters.

Vegetation control is part of the COE’s natural resources management mission to “manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations.” The spread of noxious weeds is a major threat to the management and conservation of those resources.

Dworshak Project staff recognized this threat and redirected efforts on weed control through the use of chemical, mechanical and biological control measures. The current Weed Management Plan for Dworshak Project employs the use of biological control in areas inaccessible by vehicle or deemed cost prohibitive for other treatment methods.

1.3 Objectives:

• Use Biological Control measures to reduce the density of established noxious weeds to enable the re-establishment of native vegetation.

• Re-establish the native seed bank within treated areas to provide a seed base for the reintroduction of native forbs and grasses.

• Continue to inventory COE lands within the Dworshak Project fee boundary with care given to the identification and mapping of newly introduced noxious weed species.

• Monitor the effectiveness of past biological and herbicidal control efforts.

1.4 Scope: Services under this contract include inventory of weeds, release of APHIS-approved biological control agents on weed populations, seeding of noxious weed sites with an approved native vegetation mix, and site monitoring of weed populations and release sites on COE lands surrounding Dworshak Project. Work includes preparation of a Work Plan at the beginning of the performance period, based on historical data and COE weed management objectives for the season, as well as preparation of a detailed Annual Report following the field season.

Details of these requirements are found in Part 5, Specific Tasks.

1.5 Period of Performance: The Periods of Performance shall be for one Base Period of up to 12 months and four 12-month Option Periods with the estimated period of performance as described herein:

Base Period Contract Award through June 15, 2017 Option Period 1 June 16, 2017 through June 15, 2018 Option Period 2 June 16, 2018 through June 15, 2019 Option Period 3 June 16, 2019 through June 15, 2020 Option Period 4 June 16, 2020 through May 29, 2021

1.6 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed within COE managed lands around Dworshak Dam and Reservoir near Orofino, Idaho.

1.7 Type of Contract: The Government will award a firm-fixed-price contract.

1.8 General Information:

1.8.1 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office. The Contracting Officer (KO), Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.8.2 Quality Control: The Contractor shall develop and maintain an effective Quality Control Program (QCP) to ensure services rendered in accordance with the standards of this PWS. The Contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The Contractor’s quality control program is the instrument through which the contracting party assures itself that work performed complies and conforms to contract requirements. The Contractor shall submit a Quality Control Plan (QCP) for COR acceptance within 30 days after contract award.

1.8.3 Quality Assurance: The Government will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The QASP describes the methods the Government may use to inspect the Contractor’s work and determine that the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan is sufficiently effective to ensure services rendered are in accordance with the standards of this PWS.

1.8.4 Physical Security: The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government equipment, information, and property provided for Contractor use.

1.8.5 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is provided to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any terms or conditions of the contract.

1.8.6 Contract Representative: The Contractor shall provide a Contract Representative who shall be responsible for timely and accurate work performance. The Contract Representative shall have full authority to act on behalf of the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The Contractor shall deliver a letter of designation for the Contract Representative, to include contact information (minimally phone number and email) to the COR for acceptance at, or prior to, the Post-award Conference.

1.8.7 Data Rights: The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract.

All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software produced under this contract shall be the property of the Government with all copyright/ownership rights and privileges belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the Contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.8.8 Veterans Employment Emphasis for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contracts

In addition to complying with the requirements outlined in FAR Part 22.13, FAR Provision 52.222-38, FAR Clause 52.222-35, FAR Clause 52.222-37, DFARS 222.13 and Department of Labor regulations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) contractors and subcontractors at all tiers are encouraged to promote the training and employment of U.S. veterans while performing under a USACE contract. While no set-aside, evaluation preference, or incentive applies to the solicitation or performance under the resultant contract, USACE contractors are encouraged to seek out highly qualified veterans to perform services under this contract. The following resources are available to assist USACE contractors in their outreach efforts:

Federal Veteran employment information at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx http://www.fedshirevets.gov/index.aspx

Department of Labor Veterans Employment Assistance http://www.dol.gov/vets/

Department of Veterans Affairs-VOW to Hire Heroes Act http://benefits.va.gov/vow/

Army Wounded Warrior Program – http://wtc.army.mil/modules/employers/index.html

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation-Hiring Our Heroes http://www.hiringourheroes.org/

Guide to Hiring Veterans - Reference Material http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/white_house _business_council_-_guide_to_hiring_veterans_0.pdf

1.9 Safety & Security:

1.9.1 Safety Standards: The Contractor shall comply with all applicable OSHA safety requirements, as well as the requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1, Section 32B. A PDF version of EM 385-1-1 may be accessed at:

http://www.usace.army.mil/SafetyandOccupationalHealth/EM38511,2008BeingRevised.aspx

1.9.2 Contractors Accident Prevention Plan (APP) and Activity Hazards Analysis (AHA): In accordance with the EM 385-1-1, the Contractor shall prepare for submittal to the Government an abbreviated APP and AHAs as needed for performance of the work.

1.9.3 Exposure Hour Reporting: The Contractor shall submit its employee work exposure hours to the COR each month for the month previously worked, whether or not an invoice is also tendered. Exposure hours include all hours when the employee is in a pay status, as well as any off-duty hours, if the employee is lodging at the site.

1.9.4 Accident Reporting: The Contractor shall notify the COR immediately of damage to Government or private property and injury to any person resulting from Contractor operations. In the event that an accident or injury should occur on Government lands, the Contractor shall first notify the appropriate local emergency service organization and then the COR.

1.9.5 Pre‐screen candidates using E‐Verify Program: The Contractor must pre-screen Candidates using the E-verify Program (http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify) website to meet the established employment eligibility requirements. The Vendor must ensure that the Candidate has two valid forms of Government issued identification prior to enrollment to ensure the correct information is entered into the E-verify system. An initial list of verified/eligible Candidates must be provided to the COR no later than 3 business days after the initial contract award.

Part 2 – Definitions & Acronyms

2.1 Definitions:

Agents: Biological Control Agents are primarily insects, but also include rusts, nematodes, or other pathogens approved through APHIS for use within the state of Idaho.

APHIS: Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service. APHIS is a United States Department of Agriculture agency charged with protecting the health and value of American agriculture and natural resources. In the case of biological control, the Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) Biological Control Program is a virtual team of scientists (14-18 depending on project approvals from year to year) located at various CPHST locations. The program focuses on developing technologies that support the safe use of parasitoids, predators, herbivores, and pathogens to help mitigate the impacts of introduced invasive weeds and plant pests, while minimizing impacts on the environment and non-target organisms.

http://www.dol.gov/vets/ http://benefits.va.gov/vow/ http://wtc.army.mil/modules/employers/index.html http://www.hiringourheroes.org/ http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/white_house%20_business_council_-_guide_to_hiring_veterans_0.pdf http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/white_house%20_business_council_-_guide_to_hiring_veterans_0.pdf http://www.usace.army.mil/SafetyandOccupationalHealth/EM38511,2008BeingRevised.aspx

Biological Control (Bio-control): The introduction of control agents into a specific area for the purpose of permanently suppressing populations of targeted noxious weeds. The agents used are distributed in noxious weed infested areas to consume or infect seeds, roots, or other plant parts to either impede the reproductive capabilities of target plant species or cause mortal damage to the target plant species.

Contracting Officer (KO): A person that has been officially designated with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts, and to make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. (Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.)

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

Contractor: A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

Defective Service: A service rendered not meeting the Performance Work Statement standard of performance.

Deliverable: Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured products such as meeting minutes or reports either in electronic or paper form.

Noxious Weed: A noxious weed is typically any plant species designated by a federal, state, or county entity as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife or property. For the purpose of this PWS, noxious weeds are those plant species that have been designated as noxious through Idaho state law as of January 1 of each calendar year.

Nursery Site: An area exhibiting signs of an infestation of a specific noxious weed in which an extraordinary number of control agents (insects) are released for the purpose of using the site as a control agent breeding area to enable the collection of countless control agents for years into the future for transplanting to other infested areas.

Pest Weed: A pest weed is typically any plant species presenting negative impacts to its host environment and have not been designated as noxious by a federal, state, or county entity. For the purpose of this PWS, pest weeds are those plant species defined by the Government as an introduced plant having a negative impact to the native vegetation and wildlife habitat of Dworshak lands.

Physical Security: Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

Quality Assurance (QA): Government procedures to determine that the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan is sufficiently effective to ensure services rendered are in accordance with the standards of the contract.

Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP): A written document specifying the surveillance methodology used to assess Contractor performance.

Quality Control (QC): All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

Subcontractor: One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.2 Acronyms:

APHIS USDA Animal, Plant, and Health Inspection Service AQL Acceptable Quality Level CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers COR Contracting Officer Representative DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DOD Department of Defense ESRI Earth Systems Research Institute FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation GIS Geographic Information System GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System GPS Global Positioning System KO Contracting Officer POC Point of Contact PPE Personal Protective Equipment PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TES Threatened or Endangered Species USDA United States Department of Agriculture

Part 3 – Government Furnished Services and Information

3.1 Services & Supplies:

3.1.1 Transportation Assistance: Due to critical timeframes for conducting inventory and/or deploying live insects to isolated release sites, the Contractor may request, through the COR, COE water-based transportation assistance on Dworshak Reservoir for work identified in the Annual Work Plan. Assistance will be provided based on the availability of Government watercraft and personnel. Failure of the Government to provide water-based transportation shall not be considered grounds for failing to complete any portion of the work in this contract.

3.1.2 Native Plant Seed: The Government will provide seed mix for broadcast seeding purposes.

3.2 Information:

3.2.1 The Government will provide a copy of a Trimble® GNSS-compatible data dictionary to support spatial data collection efforts for weed inventory, agent release, and trend monitoring for biological control and weed trend monitoring.

3.2.2 Upon request, the Government will furnish to the Contractor, vector and tabular data of current known weed infestations on Dworshak lands utilizing ESRI geodatabase formats.

3.2.3 The Government will provide information regarding the location(s) of known TES plant species occurring within the contract area prior to the performance of any work related to this contract.

Part 4 – Contractor Furnished Items and Services

4.1 General: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Part 3 of this PWS.

Part 5 – Specific Tasks

5.1 Annual Work Plan:

5.1.1 The Contractor shall submit a written Annual Work Plan (Work Plan) within two weeks prior to start of field work. The Work Plan shall be developed with the coordination and input of the COR and Project Technical Point of Contact. The Contractor shall obtain written acceptance before commencing field work.

5.1.2 The Work Plan shall include the Contractor’s plan for accomplishing field work under this contract, including, but not limited to plans for:

• Accomplishing the noxious weed inventory, based on priorities as presented by the Government each period of performance.

• Monitoring of selected active biological control release sites.

• Option Period 2, only (2018). Trend monitoring of selected weed transect locations including a 1/10th acre plot in the Long Creek drainage and two belt transects in the Robinson Creek drainage, all of which are located in the upper reservoir area; and two 1/100th acre plots within the 1,000 acre breaks area (see Attachment 1 for the complete SOW for these plots).

• Application (release) of bio-control measures for the field season.

It is recommended for the Contractor to review the current Dworshak Weed Management and Walla Walla District Integrated Pest Management Plans for additional guidance in development of the Annual Work Plan.

5.1.3 The Contractor shall review the COE’s weed inventory and previous bio-control releases to determine the most probable locations for successful deployment of future bio-control releases. New releases shall be targeted for areas where bio-control is currently absent or to augment and enhance a particular bio-control population.

5.2 Field Work: Field Work consist of the following:

5.2.1 Inventory of Weed Populations:

5.2.1.1 The Contractor shall conduct ocular surveys for noxious and pest weeds within established Vegetation Inventory and Response Units (VIRU) throughout COE managed lands around Dworshak Reservoir. Inventory work shall be coordinated and prioritized with the assistance of the COR and Project Technical Point of Contact.

5.2.1.2 The Contractor shall map and attribute weed infestation sites within a sampled VIRU using the COE provided Trimble TerraSync® software Data Dictionary and digital copy of the VIRU polygons as a background to assist in capturing and mapping spatial characteristics of weed population data. Data elements shown on the sample data dictionary shall be captured and reported. The Contractor shall submit all weed inventory data to the COE GPS/GIS Point of Contact (POC) employing the ESRI File Geodatabase format populated with attribute data as embedded within the COE-provided data dictionary.

5.2.2 Trend Monitoring of Weed Populations and Existing Bio-control:

5.2.2.1 The Contractor shall complete biological control / weed population trend monitoring on established 20 meter long transects (acre plots) within selected release sites in accordance with the accepted Work Plan. The Contractor shall follow official Trend Monitoring Protocols established and approved by the state of Idaho for such work.

5.2.2.2 The Contractor shall submit digital and hardcopy formats for all trend monitoring data collected on COE lands. Spatial location information shall be submitted to the COE GPS/GIS POC employing the ESRI File Geodatabase format populated with attribute data as embedded within the COE-provided data dictionary.

5.2.3 Biological Control Agent Release on Weed Populations: The Contractor shall provide a minimum of Bio-control agents, in accordance with industry standard practices and the approved Work Plan.

5.2.3.1 The Contactor shall collect biological control agents for use on COE managed lands to treat weed populations, transport those agents to pre-determined release sites, and deploy those agents according to standard industry practices for optimal results and agent viability.

5.2.3.2 Biological control agents shall be collected from local nursery sites, within a 100 mile radius of the targeted deployment location. All collections shall be sorted to ensure the removal of non-target organisms and plant materials to prevent the unintentional release of undesired species on COE lands. Collection of agents outside the local area for distribution to COE lands must have prior approval of the COR.

5.2.3.3 The Contractor shall be in strict compliance with all state, local, and federal laws and regulations regarding the transportation and release of biological control organisms.

5.2.3.4 Any biological control agent release shall be consistent with the minimum count of agents necessary to establish a viable agent population for a targeted weed species. Each release shall be conducted according to standard industry practices and standards. All releases conducted shall be less than 72 hours from the time of initial collection of control agent.

5.2.3.5 At each biological control release, the Contractor shall:

5.2.3.5.1 Collect qualitative baseline vegetation community data using a COE-provided biological control release form.

5.2.3.5.2 Collect GNSS data utilizing the COE provided Trimble TerraSync® Data Dictionary. The release data shall be submitted to the COE GPS/GIS POC, employing the ESRI® File Geodatabase format, not later than October 15 of each performance period.

5.2.3.5.3 Collect digital photographs, containing date and location coordinate watermarks, of the immediate site and agents emerging onto plants at the release site. A minimum of two pictures per release site shall be included in the Annual Report.

5.2.3.5.4 Submit a completed Walla Walla District Pest Control Application Record (currently NWW Form 1001-b, January 2014) to the COE COR or TPOC.

5.2.4 Establishment of Native Plant Seed bank. The Contractor shall broadcast seed using a COE provided mix for re-establishment of native vegetation within biological control treated areas.

5.2.4.1 The Contractor shall determine, and provide maps of, candidate areas for native vegetation re-establishment when developing the Annual Work Plan in consultation with the COE TPOC.

5.2.4.2 The Contractor shall develop a recommended spread rate—usually conveyed in pounds per square acre—upon consultation with the COE TPOC.

5.2.4.3 Seeding shall be performed utilizing broadcast-type hand seeders provided by the Contractor.

5.2.4.4 To maximize potential for successful seed germination, broadcast seeding shall be permitted only between October 16 and April 15 of each calendar year.

5.3 Annual Report: The Contractor shall deliver an Annual Report to the COR prior to the end of the performance period; this document shall include information on the Contractor’s progress and accomplishments during the performance period for weed inventory, trend monitoring, agent releases, and seed bank re-establishment, as described in this section. The report shall also include future management recommendations based upon observations made during the field season.

5.3.1 A summary of activity during the contract performance period. This summary shall include a written synopsis of inventory procedures, invasive species documented, seed bank establishment activities conducted, and biological control agent release information. The report shall include a written synopsis of recommended weed management actions and priority treatment areas.

5.3.2 A detailed description of the vegetation and agent trend monitoring program for the performance period, to include either the geographic coordinates of established permanent monitoring sites or the common geographic name of the monitoring sites. Trend monitoring shall contain the quantitative results of the monitoring effort for each site along with a description of the evaluation procedures utilized in capturing the data.

5.3.3 Any nursery site established for the future collection of agents for transplant to new areas shall be described, and geographic coordinates shall be provided by the Contractor for these nursery sites.

5.3.4 A detailed description of the Contractor’s data management program with a discussion of recommendations for subsequent work in each of the following categories: weed inventory, trend monitoring, native seed bank establishment, and agent releases.

5.3.5 A table containing data for each trend monitoring site and biological control release performed during the contract performance period. The report shall include maps of specific areas of inventory, monitoring, and releases, as well as photographs of each release site compliant with section 5.2.3.5.

5.3.6 Maps of the following activities:

5.3.6.1 Locations of weeds found within VIRU inventoried areas.

5.3.6.2 Deployment (release) locations of biological control agents with geographic coordinates of the release location embedded into the map.

5.3.6.3 Areas receiving broadcast seeding treatment to re-establish the native grass and forb seed bank.

5.3.7 Copies of the applicable APHIS permit for each biological control agent species released on COE lands.

Part 6 – Technical Exhibits / Attachments

6.1 Technical Exhibit 1: Performance Requirements Summary

6.2 Technical Exhibit 2: Deliverables Schedule

6.3 Technical Exhibit 3: Estimated Workload Data

6.4 Attachment: Weed Monitoring Impacts SOW

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The Contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success. Following award, refer to the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan to review the Government’s monitoring strategy.

Performance Objective Standard AQL Surveillance Method

Annual Work Plan (5.1)

The Annual Work Plan covers all elements described in PWS Section 5.1.2. 95% 100% Inspection of

Contractor Submittals

Inventory of Weed Populations (5.2.1)

Field Work includes ocular surveys of weed populations, and results include data regarding presence or absence of noxious species.

80%

Periodic Surveillance of Field Work and Contractor Status

Report

Trend Monitoring (5.2.2)

Trend monitoring is performed in accordance with the accepted Annual Work Plan and established Trend Monitoring Protocols

95%

Periodic Surveillance of Field Work and Contractor Status

Report

Bio-control Agent Releases (5.2.3)

Bio-control agents are released according to the accepted Annual Work Plan. 95%

Periodic Surveillance of Field Work and Contractor Status

Report

Native Seed Bank Re- Establishment (5.2.4)

Grass/Forb seeding is conducted in the manner prescribed within the Annual Work Plan.

95%

Periodic Surveillance of Field Work and Contractor Status

Report Field Data (5.2.1 – 5.2.3)

Data received is timely, accurate, complete, and delivered in the specified format. 95% 100% Inspection of

Contractor submittals

Annual Report (5.3) The Annual Report received is timely, accurate and thorough as described in PWS Section 5.3

100% 100% Inspection of Contractor Submittals

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

Deliverable Frequency/Due Date # of Copies Medium/Format Submit To Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (1.8.2) NLT 30 days after award One Hardcopy or electronic COR

Contract Representative (1.8.7)

At or prior to Post-award Conference One Hardcopy or electronic COR

Contractor’s Accident Prevention Plan (1.9.2)

Once, prior to commencement of Field Work.

One Hardcopy or electronic COR

Contractor’s Activity Hazards Analysis (1.9.2)

Once, prior to performing each definable feature of work at the Government site.

One Hardcopy or electronic COR

Contractor Exposure Hours (1.9.3)

Monthly, within the first five calendar days of the month for the previous month in which work was performed

One Any COR

Contractor Employee E- Verify List (1.9.5)

Once, prior to employees’ work onsite, and updated as needed

One Hardcopy or electronic COR

Annual Work Plan (5.1)

Annually, within 30 days of start of performance period One Hardcopy or electronic COR

GPS/GIS Documentation (5.2.1 – 5.2.3)

October 15th of each performance period One ESRI File Geodatabase stored on a CD-ROM GIS POC

Annual Report (5.3)

Annually, prior to the end of the Period of Performance One Hardcopy or electronic COR

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3

WORKLOAD DATA

Item Name Estimated Quantity

5.1 Review and assessment of the current weed inventory and

past bio-control activities by the Project Manager.

Base Period: 40 hours Each Option Period: 40 hours

5.2.1 Inventory VIRU’s for pest and noxious weeds utilizing a two person field crew.

Base Period: 160 hours Each Option Period: 160 hours

5.2.2 Trend monitoring of weed populations and existing

biological control releases utilizing a two person field crew.

Base Period: 240 hours Each Option Period: 240 hours

5.2.3 Treatment of weed populations through deployment of

biological control agents utilizing a two person field crew.

Base Period: 400 hours Each Option Period: 400 hours

5.2.4 Conduct broadcast seed operations to re-establish native plants within weed infested areas.

Base Period: 160 hours Each Option Period: 160 hours

5.3 Annual Report – Contract Manager Base Period: 80 hours

Each Option Period: 80 hours

ATTACHMENT

WEED MONITORING IMPACTS SOW

Weed Monitoring (Impacts on Overall Vegetation) 2018 Statement of Work (SOW)

Three areas have been designated in 2018 for general vegetation sampling designed to evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife habitat treatments and their effects on weed populations. Each plot will be sampled during the 2018 growing season.

Long Creek D, E, and F Project

One tenth-acre plot was established in each of the three treatment units Long Creek D, E, and F. The following data is to be collected at each of these plots and recorded on the attached Vegetation Monitoring Form (a digital version in Microsoft Excel 2013 will be provided upon contract award):

1. Fire fuel level (1-meter plot centered within 1/10 acre plot). Record the number of pieces and the average length for each of the following fuel category (10-, 100-, and 1000-hour fuels). Record the percent of bare ground and the average depth of the duff and litter layers (five locations). For the surrounding area, record the photo stand number, the page number#, the overall fire potential, and the fuel model code from the “Photo Guide for Appraising Downed Woody Fuels.”

2. Canopy cover (%).

3. Species and size class of each overstory tree present within the plot.

4. All woody species observed on the site and including the average height and percent cover of each.

5. For each browse species, the number of plants and visual estimate of the percent of new stems browsed for all plants of that species.

6. All weed species present within the plot and estimated percent cover for each.

7. Number of elk pellet groups present on site.

8. DBH of any snags within the plot.

9. Five photos shall be taken at each plot; one in each cardinal direction designed to best illustrate the form and structure of the vegetation in and around the plot, and one straight up from the plot center illustrating the canopy closure.

Robinson Creek B and K Project

Vegetation is to be sampled at two belt transects within the Robinson Creek B and K units. The following protocol shall be used to establish the individual plots to be sampled:

1. Locate the starting and ending points of two belt transects (four points total) established in 2002. Both the starting points and ending points are marked with a steel “tee” post. GPS coordinates are available for the locations of the starting points. The ending point of each belt transect is 30 feet away. Locations of end points (Azimuth from starting point or GPS coordinates) have not been documented.

2. Measure three feet horizontal distance upslope from each of the established belt transect end points. This will form a rectangle 3x30 feet.

3. This 3x30-foot transect will be divided into ten 3x3-foot micro-plots.

4. Vegetation sampling will take place on every other micro-plot starting with #1, leaving five micro-plots to sample.

Data shall be collected at each micro-plot and recorded on the Robinson Vegetation Transects form. An electronic .xlsx version provided upon contract award.

1. Canopy Cover

2. Percent Bare Ground

3. Plant Identification

a. Number of individual plants present of each species

b. Percent cover each species represents

c. Average height of plant each species

4. Photos shall be taken from micro-plot #1 looking along the transect line toward micro-plot #10 at each transect.

1000 Acre Breaks West Slashing

Data shall be collected at two 1/100th-acre plots within the western portion of the 1000 Acre Breaks Slashing Unit.

The following sampling data will be collected at each plot and recorded on the attached2013 Veg Monitoring Form:

1. Canopy cover (%).

2. Species & size class of each overstory tree present within the plot.

3. All woody species observed on the site and including the average height and percent cover of each.

4. For each browse species, the number of plants and visually estimated percent of new stems browsed for all plants of that species.

5. All weed species present within the plot and estimated percent cover for each.

6. Number of elk pellet groups present on site.

7. Species and DBH of any snags within the plot.

8. Five photos shall be taken at each plot; one in each cardinal direction designed to best illustrate the form and structure of the vegetation in and around the plot, and one straight up from the plot center illustrating the canopy closure.