F--JOTR Invasive Plant Control

The National Park Service has a requirement for the following service. If you are interested, please submit your detailed capabilities in writing to demonstrate same or similar experience. This is not a request for proposal or quote. No proposal package, solicitation, statement of work/performance work statement are available with this announcement. Response to this announcement is strictly voluntary; no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this sources-sought announcement or any follow-up information requests. If you choose to submit a package, clearly identify the NPS Revegetation Services Pacific West on your package and identify your socioeconomic status [8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran, WOSB, EDWOSB, and Small]. Your email capability information MUST be 10 pages or less and be specific to Revegetation Services. Your response is due no later than 2:00 pm Pacific Time on April 14, 2022. The Government anticipates conducting a competitive acquisition for this requirement. The amount of interest or lack thereof will determine the possibility of a competitive set-aside or full and open competition (the size of a small business firm includes all parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, etc.see 13 CFR 121.108.) Misrepresentation of size status can result in penalties. All firms should be registered and certified in www.SAM.gov. Please refer to the current SBA rules regarding HUBZone firms, effective October 1, 2011. Send your email responses to Contract Specialist, Damon Griffin contact@example.gov, and Contracting Officer, LJ Gravelle contact@example.gov. Analysis of the quality of responses to this sources-sought announcement will be considered in the market research being conducted, and in the making of any small business set-aside determination for this requirement. Revegetation Services for the National Park Service, Pacific West Region NAICS Code: 115112, Size Standard: $8.0 Mil Estimated Period of Performance: September 2022 to September 2027 Project Description The National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior, is seeking responses from revegetation/ reclamation/ecological restoration contractors who have the capability and interest in performing one or more of the following targeted revegetation services: 1) Plant salvage: This requirement is to conduct plant salvage operations, usually in advance of construction activities. Salvaging plants from intact habitats requires the contractor to have the ability to work in rocky and difficult soil conditions, work around park facilities, and conduct salvage operations so as not to harm any non-target plants. Effective salvage work requires the contractor to have an understanding of the root structures of native grass, forb, shrub, and tree species. Tasks include: a. hand-digging of plant materials b. using equipment such as excavators, mini-excavators, and tree spades to salvage large plant materials with larger root ball requirements c. transferring all salvaged materials to pots or other storage containers (e.g. ball and burlap), d. watering transplants e. transporting salvaged materials to temporary holding facilities 2) Site preparation and topsoil management: This service requires the preparation of soil and/or seedbeds and may include salvaging topsoil, grading to restore topography/hydrology, scarifying or decompacting disturbed sites, and adding appropriate soil amendments. The scope of this task may vary greatly between projects. Light seed bed preparation may include removal of construction or vegetation debris, minor soil decompaction (to a few inches in depth), and placement of topsoil. More intensive site preparation may include regrading to correct slope angles or hydrology, salvaging and placing in windrows, and decompacting soils to >10 inch depth. 3) Seed application: This task includes the application of government provided seed to disturbed lands. Usually, disturbances are post construction environments including roadsides, linear rights of way, building construction, and road or building removal. Work includes application of seed using the following methods: a. Hydroseed and mulch application. Due to the nature of native seed most hydroseeding applications will require a two-step process that includes first, the application of tracer mulch and seed; and then second, the application of mulch and tackifier. b. Hand seeding. This method includes evenly broadcasting small amounts of seed over large areas, using filler and tracer materials for even application, and hand raking seed into the top - inch of soil. c. Drill seeding. This requirement is for the use of rangeland seed drills with multiple seed boxes for the application of different sizes and types of seeds. 4) Planting and installation: This requirement is for the planting of native plant materials. Plant materials will range in size depending on the project from small 10 cubic inch tubelings to large ball and burlapped tree and shrub materials. All planting activities are expected to follow industry best practices including over excavation of holes that accommodate each species root ball depth and width requirements and loosens surrounding soils, handling plants appropriately (including pre-planting root maintenance), properly backfilling excavated holes, and watering of all planted materials. 5) Temporary protection: This task is for installation and maintenance of measures to protect revegetation areas and planted plants (e.g. netting, biodegrading protector tubes and repellants, fencing and signage). Temporary projection measures may be necessary to minimize or prevent human trampling as well as damage from surface and underground predators. Follow-up care includes maintenance and removal of protective installations. 6) Erosion control: This requirement is for the procurement and installation of erosion control materials including erosion control blankets and wattles (logs). Generally, erosion control materials will be required in areas that have slopes of 3:1 or greater in steepness. All materials used must be park approved and will include only biodegradable, certified weed-free materials. All contracts requiring this task will provide linear feet and square foot calculations for areas to be treated. 7) Exotic plant control: Control exotic plant species in the designated area, utilizing hand or mechanical methods including but not limited to pulling, clearing, tilling, chemical applications, and other approved practices. Contractor shall meet current Federal and state application certification requirements and have substantial experience and knowledge for field plant identification, and current exotic pest plant control technologies. The contractor shall be familiar with and adhere to any and all Federal, state or local safety regulations pertaining to aquatic and natural area weed control operations, as well as boat and vehicle operations. 8) Watering: This task is for watering of disturbed area. Watering may include applying water to seeds and plants and for dust abatement. Application methods may include water truck, water buffalo, backpack sprayer, hand watering, and or temporary irrigation. Examples include: a. Application from tanker truck to road shoulders for dust abatement or seed establishment b. Watering of areas planted with salvaged or nursery grown materials. Typically, this would be, short term 1 to 2 months, of watering from planting time until plant dormancy c. Establishment of temporary irrigation. Usually temporary systems would include above ground system designed to be removed after plant establishment, in 1 or 2 growing seasons Geographic Area: The immediate need is for contractors that can perform work in National Park Units in California / Pacific West region. National Park units in this service region include Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Point Reyes National Seashore, Yosemite, Sequoia Kings Canyon, and Mojave National Park units. The revegetation or restoration work may take place on a variety of disturbed sites along roadways or in other park disturbance areas. Evaluation Criteria: Contractors should first address the following: a. The geographic area/region and parks they are interested in services. We understand the Pacific West region has multiple parks across a wide geographic area. The responses to this will help determine this requirement will be solicited for the whole region or broken down into smaller areas. b. The services they are interested in providing. This sources sought covers a wide range of services and the Government is trying to determine if there are contractors who can provide all of these services. The responses will determine if these services will be solicited together or whether they will be broken into smaller groups or event solicited individually. Contractors should address the following criteria in their capability statements: a. Demonstrated capability and experience performing the specified revegetation tasks including plant identification, weed control, plant salvage, seeding and planting. b. Experience successfully salvaging a variety of sizes of native graminoid, forb, shrub, and tree species resulting in low mortality rates. Describe species and methods used including experience with hand and mechanical methods. c. Experience conducting weed control in sensitive (newly seeded or planted) areas or habitats. Describe methods utilized including manual and chemical treatments. d. Ability to conduct complex native seed applications including factoring in the correct planting depth for each species. Include experience with hydroseeding, hand seeding, and drill seeding. Include experience and ability to correctly calibrate seed application rates by hand and with equipment. e. Ability to conduct site preparation work including soil decompaction and regrading. f. Ability to correctly install erosion control materials. g. Ability to effectively develop implementation schedule and produce end of project summary reports detailing work completed and challenges or successes of project work.