Inventory and Monitoring of Botanical Resources

Invitation
Midpen values the expertise of qualified firms in the field of Botany. We invite you to submit a statement of qualifications for botanical surveys, reporting, other related botanical services recognizing the crucial role your knowledge and experience will play in meeting Midpen’s mission.  Additional background information about Midpen can be found at www.openspace.org. Up to five (5) consultants may be recommended to Midpen’s Board of Directors (Board) for authorization to enter into an agreement for up to $320,000 to be spent over 4 years in which task orders may be issued to complete the scope of works as outlined in Section 3. In addition, consultants deemed qualified by Midpen pursuant to this solicitation will be added to a Prequalified Consultant List. They may be contacted to provide professional services for future projects in accordance with Midpen purchasing policies.  A consultant may be removed from the Prequalified Consultant File if the consultant is no longer meeting the needs of the District. 
Important Dates   12/02/2024 @2:00 pm Pre-Proposal Conference; please RSVP to Sherilyn Reinhart, Administrative Assistant, sreinhart@openspace.org .   12/12/2024 @ 5:00pm Deadline to receive Proposals
12/20/2024 Presentations by firms and interviews with the selection committee   12/23/2024 The selection committee ranks proposers   01/08/2024 Board of Directors approves consultant contract, if required Introduction Midpen manages land primarily to preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land. There are few improvements, other than parking areas, some rest rooms, and informational signs.  Over 220 miles of public trails invite activities such as hiking, biking, jogging, horseback riding, dog walking, and picnicking limited only as required. The preserves are open to the public every day, free of charge.  Because the preserves are “close to home,” they serve as popular weekday and weekend recreational destinations.
Midpen has ongoing project work for which botanical consulting services are needed. A representative list of the District’s range of projects requiring environmental review are listed below under the Scope of Work section.  Background Midpen protects and restores the diversity and integrity of its resources and ecological processes for their value to the environment and to people and provides for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection.  All goals and objectives under this Request For Qualifications (RFQ) are reflected in Midpen’s Board approved Resource Management Policies, which can be downloaded from Midpen’s website at https://www.openspace.org/who-we-are/policies. The inventory and monitoring requirements for botanical resources in the Midpen's Resource Management Policies document emphasize the following key points:
Inventory of Botanical Resources : The policies mandate a thorough inventory of native vegetation, focusing on identifying special-status species and sensitive plant communities. This includes cataloging existing flora, mapping habitats, and assessing plant species of concern to ensure accurate documentation of botanical diversity. Monitoring for Conservation and Management : Regular monitoring is required to track the health and distribution of native plant species, particularly those that are rare or endangered. This ongoing surveillance is intended to detect changes in plant populations, habitat conditions, and the impacts of environmental threats (e.g., invasive species or habitat degradation). Adaptive Management : The policies encourage an adaptive management approach, utilizing monitoring data to inform and adjust conservation strategies. This ensures the management actions are responsive to ecological changes and effective in preserving native botanical resources. Data Integration : Collected data on botanical resources is to be integrated into the District’s Geographic Information System (GIS) for accessibility and better-informed decision-making.
Programs and Projects Midpen has multiple Board of Director’s adopted Programs and associated certified CEQA documents which require new and on-going compliance. Conservation Grazing Program Integrated Pest Management Program Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program Wildland Fire Resiliency Program Midpen may have additional discretionary actions that require an understanding of the botanical resources that are potentially or actually present. Requirements Botanical field surveyor qualification Botanical field surveyors should possess the following qualifications: Knowledge of plant taxonomy and natural community ecology; Familiarity with plants of the region, including special status plants (see Attachment 6: Midpen Plant Lists); Familiarity with natural communities of the region, including sensitive natural communities; Experience with the CNDDB, BIOS, and Survey of California Vegetation Classification and Mapping Standards; Experience conducting floristic botanical field surveys , or experience conducting such botanical field surveys under the direction of an experienced botanical field surveyor; Familiarity with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to plants and plant collecting; and Experience analyzing the impacts of projects on native plant species and sensitive natural communities. Scientific Collection Permit Some services will or may require the possession of a Scientific Collection Permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Scope of Services Primary Early detection / Rapid Response Habitat Assessment (Botanical) Herbarium Voucher Specimen Invasive Plant Prioritization and Management Plan Protocol-level botanical Survey – Most Requested Service Rare Plant Management Plan Relevé or Vegetation Rapid Assessment Riparian delineation Supplemental Brush assessment Coordination with other consultants Expert testimony Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Program Compliance Mitigation plan development Native plant propagule mapping services Plant identification Potential to occur assessment Sensitive Natural Community assessment Tree inventory Worker Environmental Awareness Documents Other botanical services