PWS_for_CRSLproject_final.docx

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) FOR

Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape Project

1. General:

1.1 Scope: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control necessary, except as specified in Paragraph 3.0 as Government Furnished, to coordinate the implementation of the Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape (CRSL) Project, as defined in this PWS.

1.2 Background: The Department of Defense (DoD)’s Readiness Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program is a key tool for combating encroachment that can limit or restrict military training, testing, and operations. The REPI Program protects these military missions by helping remove or avoid land-use conflicts near installations and addressing regulatory restrictions that inhibit military activities. The REPI Program is administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

A key component of the REPI Program is the use of buffer partnerships among the Military Services, private conservation groups, and state and local governments, authorized by Congress at 10 U.S.C. § 2684a. These win-win partnerships share the cost of acquisition of easements or other interests in land from willing sellers to preserve compatible land uses and natural habitats near installations and ranges that helps sustain critical, at-risk military mission capabilities.

REPI also supports large landscape partnerships that advance cross-boundary solutions and link military readiness, conservation, and communities with federal and state partners through a common, collaborative framework. Recently a program known as Sentinel Landscape Program (SLP) was formalized through a memorandum of understanding between DoD, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Interior (USDOI). The SLP is intended to not only support the military mission but also promote environmental stewardship while maintaining working lands.

Camp Ripley received designation as a state Sentinel Landscape in May 2015 and more recently a federal Sentinel Landscape in July 2016. The federal designation has resulted in REPI funding from OSD to the Minnesota Army National Guard (MNARNG) to support a project that will coordinate the implementation of the Camp Ripley Sentinel Landscape (CRSL) for the first three years of the program by accomplishing the following four principal objectives:

Objective No. 1: Develop a comprehensive strategy within the CRSL to implement compatible land use including a criteria based ranking system to objectively evaluate all land holdings within the CRSL.

Objective No. 2: Align existing land management program priorities of various state, federal, local, and non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and coordinate the delivery of these programs to landowners throughout the CRSL who’s working and natural lands support the military mission within the designated Sentinel Landscape.

Objective No. 3: Engage other state, federal, local, and non-governmental participation to promote multiple resources and methods to reward landowner participation through recognition and monetary incentives that complement CRSL.

Objective No. 4: Develop and implement an outreach program that heightens the awareness of CRSL and encourages maximum participation of all public and private interests.

In Summary: The project will coordinate the implementation of the first three years of CRSL program by promoting complementary land management practices and programs of the USDA, DoD, USDOI, other federal agencies, state agencies, MNARNG, local units of governments, NGO’s, private partners, and local landowners.

1.3 Period of Performance (PoP): The Period of Performance shall be 36 months from date of award.

1.4 General Information:

1.4.1 Quality Assurance (QA): The Government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and acceptable quality level(s) (defect rate(s)).

1.4.2 Recognized Holidays: The following are recognized US holidays. The contractor shall not perform services on these days:

1.4.2.1 New Year’s Day: January 1st

1.4.2.2 Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday

1.4.2.3 President’s Day

1.4.2.4 Memorial Day

1.4.2.5 Independence Day: July 4th

1.4.2.6 Labor Day

1.4.2.7 Columbus Day

1.4.2.8 Veteran’s Day: November 11th

1.4.2.9 Thanksgiving Day

1.4.2.10 Christmas Day

1.5 Security Requirements. The contractor shall comply with all applicable installation/facility access and local security policies and procedures, which may be obtained from the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The contractor shall also provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. The contractor shall ensure compliance with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by DOD, HQDA and/or local policy. Should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) change, the Government may require changes in contractor security matters or processes.

1.6 Protection of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). The contractor shall protect all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) encountered in the performance of services in accordance with DFARS 224.103 and DoDD 5400.11, Department of Defense Privacy Program, and DoD 5400.11-R. If a PII breach results from the contractor’s violation of the aforementioned policies, the contractor shall bear all notification costs, call-center support costs, and credit monitoring service costs for all individuals who’s PII has been compromised.

1.7 AT Level 1 Awareness Training (AT): All contractor employees requiring access to Army Installations, facilities, and controlled access areas shall complete Level 1 AT within 30 calendar days after contract start date and within 30 calendar days of new employees commencing performance. The contractor shall submit certificates of completion for each affected contractor and subcontractor employee, to the COR, or to the contracting officer (KO) if a COR is not assigned, within 15 calendar days after completion of training. Level 1 AT is available at: https://atlevel1.dtic.mil/at/

1.8 iWATCH Training. The contractor with an area of performance within an Army-controlled installation, facilities or area shall brief all employees on the local iWATCH program. This local developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR or the KO. This training shall be completed within 30 calendar days of contract award and within 30 calendar days of new employees commencing performance. The contractor shall report completion for each affected contractor employee and subcontractor employee, to the COR, or to the KO if a COR is not assigned, within 15 calendar days after completion of training.

1.9 Classified Information. For Contracts That Require Handling or Access to Classified Information. The contractor shall comply with FAR Clause 52.204-2, Security Requirements. This clause involves access to information classified “Confidential,” “Secret,” or “Top Secret” and requires contractors to comply with The Security Agreement (DD Form 441), including the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (DoD 5220.22-M) and applicable updates/changes.

1.10 Physical Security. The contractor shall safeguard all Government property provided for contractor use. At the close of each work period, Government facilities, equipment and materials shall be secured.

1.11 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the KO in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations Subpart 42.5. The KO, COR and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contactor’s performance. At these meetings, the Contacting Officer will apprise the contractor of how the Government views the contractor’s performance and the contractor shall apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced The contractor shall resolve outstanding issues raised by the Government. Contractor attendance at these meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.12 Contract Manager (CM): The contactor shall designate a CM who shall ensure performance under this contract. The name of this person, and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the CM is absent, shall be designated in writing to the KO. The CM or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The CM shall work through the COR, (or the KO if a COR is not assigned), to resolve issues, receive technical instructions, and ensure adequate performance of services. The CM shall ensure that contractor employees do not perform any services outside the scope of the contract without an official modification issued by the KO. The CM shall ensure contractor employees understand that services performed outside the scope of the contract are performed wholly at the expense of the contractor.

1.13 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contractor personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression that they are Government employees. The contractor shall ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractor personnel are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. The contractor’s status as a “contractor” shall be predominantly displayed in all correspondence types (to include signature blocks on e- mail) and dealings with Government or non-Government entities/ Contractor personnel shall wear identification badges distinguishing themselves as such. The badges shall have the company name, employee name and the word “contractor” displayed. The contractor shall retrieve all identification media (including vehicle passes) from their employees who depart employment for any reason. All identification media (i.e., badges and vehicles passes) shall be returned to the KO within 14 days of an employee’s departure.

1.14 Combating Trafficking in Persons: The United States Government has adopted a zero tolerance policy regarding trafficking in persons. Contractors and contractor employees shall not engage in severe forms of trafficking in persons during the period of performance of the contract; procure commercial sex acts during the period of performance of the contract; or use forced labor in the performance of the contract. The Contractor shall notify its employees of the United States Government’s zero tolerance policy, the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of this policy. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, removal from the contract, reduction in benefits, or termination of employment. The Contractor shall take appropriate action, up to and including termination, against employees or subcontractors that violate the US Government policy as described at FAR 22.17.

1.15 Contractor Travel: The contractor shall travel to Camp Ripley during the performance of this contract to facilitate 36 monthly meetings with the CRSL committee and 12 quarterly meetings of the CRSL coordinating committee. The contractor shall also travel to Camp Ripley to conduct an annual (3 total) general public information meetings and participate in 40 public information meeting with state, federal, LUG and civic organizations. The contractor shall be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and the limitation of funds specified in this contract. All travel requires COR recommendation for approval and authorization by the KO prior to travel arrangements being made.

1.16 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 Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the KO. 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.

1.17 Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI): The contractor and subcontractor personnel performing services under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent OCIs, as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The contractor shall notify the KO immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the KO to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the KO and in the event the KO unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the KO may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

2. Definitions and Acronyms:

2.1 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.

2.2 CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO). A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.3 CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government designated by the KO to monitor contractor performance. 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.

2.4 DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.5 DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered and includes non- manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.6 KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.7 PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.8 QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.9 QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.10 QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.11 SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.12 WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.13 WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.14 ACRONYMS:

3. Government Furnished Property, Material, Equipment and Services (GFP/M/E/S): The Government will provide the property, material, equipment, and/or services listed below solely for the purpose of performance under this contract:

3.1 Property: The Government will furnish the necessary workspace for the contractor to perform services outlined in this PWS to include meeting space (Conference room) at Camp Ripley to conduct the required coordinating meetings. A larger meeting space at Camp Ripley will be provided to conduct the general public meetings based on anticipated attendance.

3.2 Services:

3.2.1 GIS technical support for geospatial data services and map production: not to exceed 8 hours per month.

3.2.2 Large-format printing: not to exceed 7000 sq2 in. (approx. 8 poster sized sheets) per month.

3.3 Utilities: All utilities in the facility will be available for the contactor’s use in the performance of this contract. The contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall operate under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount.

4.0 Contractor Furnished Property, Materials, and Equipment (CFP/M/E): None

4.1 General: Except for those items specifically stated to be Government-Furnished in Paragraph 3.0, the contractor shall furnish everything required to perform these services as indicated in Paragraph 1.1.

5.0 Requirements: The contractor shall:

5.1 Facilitate the delineation of the geographic boundary of the CRSL in coordination with the state CRSL Coordinating Committee. This must be accomplished no later than 17 January 2017 and will be accomplished in coordination with federal, state, local, non-governmental partners, and private landowners.

5.2 Coordinate the development of a comprehensive implementation strategy for the state CRSL Coordinating Committee and will solicit participation from federal, state, local, non-governmental partners, and private landowner in developing the strategy and thereby promoting compatible land use within the CRSL.

5.3 Formulate a criteria ranking system for prioritizing all lands within the CRSL and will document other land management program opportunities of federal, state, local, and non-governmental organizations that are complementary of the CRSL program.

5.3.1 Coordinate with GIS staff to develop visual tools and planning documents to spatially target strategic priorities representing partner goals (individual and composite) through a criteria ranking system (defined in 5.3) similar to supporting products for the ACUB program.

5.3.2 Develop and implement methodologies to accurately quantify and report on-going program status based upon the following metrics of success as they relate to program goals: number of transactions, funding sources and allocations, and acres acquired or effected (in total, by protection type, and by minor watershed).

5.4 Facilitate 12 quarterly meetings of the state CRSL Coordinating Committee.

5.4.3 Establish guidelines for the meeting, motivate the group’s participation, and build consensus.

5.4.4 Document all meetings with written minutes of all meetings within 5 working days following each meeting. The minutes will include drafts of any agreements, resolutions or recommendations that have been made during the meeting and copies of all presentations.

5.5 Facilitate 36 monthly meetings with the local CRSL Committee.

5.5.1 Notify potential participants with a written agenda a minimum of 7 days prior to the committee meetings.

5.5.2 Provide a facilitator to guide and direct the meetings. The facilitator will articulate the needs of each stakeholders and subsequently define their needs into quantifiable requirements.

5.5.3 Establish guidelines for the meeting, motivate the group’s participation, and build consensus.

5.5.4 Document all meetings with written minutes of all meetings within 5 working days following each meeting. The minutes will include drafts of any agreements, resolutions or recommendations that have been made during the meeting and copies of all presentations.

5.6 Participate in no less than 40 public information meetings and coordinate the timing of the presentations to educate local government, private landowners, partners, state and federal agencies on how to procure funds for protection, restoration and program promotion.

5.7 Facilitate three (3) annual CRSL general public information meetings to be held at Camp Ripley in March of each year.

5.8 Draft annual applications for funding through at least four (4) grant sources including but not limited to:

· Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council

· Readiness Environmental Protection Integration Program

· Readiness Environmental Protection Integration Challenge Program

· Regional Conservation Partnership Program

5.9 Develop an outreach program that will document methods, audiences, venues, and support documents/fact sheets that ensures maximum participation in the CRSL program. Provide 3 annual status reports and 6 fact sheets for the state CRSL Coordinating Committee.

5.9.1 Status Reports: The status reports will provide a summary of partner accomplishments on an annual basis. They shall include: acres acquired or effected, funding sources and allocations, grant opportunities that have been both applied for and or received, meetings attended, and other efforts made to benefit the CRSL Partnership. Reports are due by Jan 10th of each year. Status Reports will be provided in a digital format in Microsoft word software.

5.9.2 Fact Sheets. Produce a total of 6, each 1 page- two sided (one every six months from project start) to be used as outreach material to educate the general public about the CRSL partnership. Fact sheets will provide a short progress report on partner engagement, POC information, and upcoming events. Fact sheet will be provided in a digital format in Microsoft word software.

5.10 Facilitate enrollment of approximately 1,500 acres of land into the CRSL (Easement or Fee) by 30 September 2017 and an additional 1,500 acres for each subsequent year of the project for a total goal of 4,500 acres enrolled/protected through this project.

5.11 Coordinate the implementation of grants and funding once they have been received to leverage an additional 1500-acres/year via multiple program implementation (Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Forest Stewardship Plans) for a total goal of 4,500 acres enrolled/protected through this project.

5.12 Develop a Primer that OSD will use as a guide for the benefit of future federal sentinel landscape partnership programs throughout the Nation NLT 12 months after contract award. The Primer will be subject to review and comments by the CRSL Coordinating Committee, National Guard Bureau staff and staff from OSD.

5.13 Monitor investments made to implement CRSL in addition to those listed above in item number 5.10 and 5.11 above including Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, Minnesota Forest Resources Council, and other conservation funds invested with practices implemented within the CRSL. These cumulative metrics (9,000 acres) will be reported and spatially shown using the sub watersheds within the CRSL. Metrics are acres protected in the form of fee acquisition and conservation-open space easements and acres enrolled in an incentive program that protects or enhances conservation or preservation on the land.

5.14 Contractor Manpower Reporting Application (CMRA):

5.14.1 The contractor shall report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the Minnesota National Guard via a secure data collection site.

5.14.2 The contractor shall completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.ecmra.mil/. Reporting inputs shall be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government fiscal year (FY), which runs October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October 31 of each calendar year, beginning with 2016. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk at http://www.ecmra.mil.

6.0 Applicable Publications: Publications applicable to this PWS are listed below:

Advisory Website

NRCS website

Current

NRCS website on RCPP

NRCS website on CRP

NRCS website on EQIP

NRCS website on CSP

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary

This Performance Requirements Summary includes performance standards. The Government will use these standards to determine contractor performance and will compare contractor performance to the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL).

PWS Paragraph

Task

- Meeting minutes are received within 5 working days following each meeting

- Meeting minutes are received within 5 working days following each meeting

annual CRSL general public information meetings

- Participants are notified with an agenda a minimum of 30 days prior to meeting. Meeting to occur in March of each year.

- Meeting minutes are received within 5 working days following each meeting

-Fact sheets due every 6 months from date of contract

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

Deliverables Schedule

5.14 Contractor

Manpower Reporting

NLT 1 October Every Fiscal Year

Electronic Submission on the website

COR

1.7 AT Level 1 Awareness

Training Certificates

Electronic Submission

COR

1.8 iWATCH Training Brief

1.13 Identification

Media

5.4.4; 5.5.4; 5.7 Meeting Minutes