RSOI: Vegetation Management for Natural Resources Branch, Fort Drum, NY

Summary

Project Title

Vegetation Management for Natural Resources Branch, Fort Drum, New York 

Funding

A cooperative agreement is being offered ONLY to members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program Region(s) identified above. Award will be made upon mutual agreement and acceptance of the terms and conditions contained in the request for proposal and the recipient’s CESU Master Agreement. Note the established CESU Program indirect rate is 17.5%.

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential organizations for this project. Approximately $234,154 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding may be available to the successful recipient for optional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent years.

NOTE: This project will be awarded under the authority of 16 USC 670c-1, Sikes Act. For projects for the implementation and enforcement of integrated natural resources management plans, priority shall be given to award to Federal and State agencies having responsibility for the conservation or management of fish or wildlife.

Period of Performance

The base period of agreement will extend 12 months from date of award. There may be up to four 12-month follow-on periods based on availability of funding.

Description of Anticipated Work

Refer to the Statement of Objectives section.

NOTE: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and capability for performing similar or same type of work by submitting a Statement of Interest. A full proposal and budget are NOT requested at this time.

Preparation of your Statement of Interest 

Provide the following (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced, 12 pt. font):

1. Name, Organization, CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID, CESU Region, and Contact Information (Email).
2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
   1. Biographical sketch of the Principal Investigator, to include specific experience and capabilities in areas related to this project’s requirements.
   2. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects.
   3. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise.
   4. Brief description of other capabilities to successfully complete the project (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).

Submission of Your Statement of Interest

1. Statements of Interest (SOIs) are due by 2:00 P.M., Central Time, on 30 January 2025 to:
   1. Sandy Justman, Grants Specialist, USACE, Fort Worth District
      1. Email: [email protected]
      2. Phone: 817-886-1073
   2. Chanley Jenkins, Project Manager, USACE, Fort Worth District
      1. Email: [email protected]
      2. Phone: 918-671-9132

Review of Statements Received

All statements of interest received from a member of the CESU Region(s) identified above will be evaluated by a board comprised of one or more people at the receiving installation or activity, who will determine which statement(s) best meet the program objectives: offer the most highly qualified Principal Investigator, have the most relevant experience and the highest capability to successfully meet the program objectives. Submitters whose statements are determined to best meet the program objectives will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest

RSOI’s are required to be posted on the Grants.gov website for 30 days prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals.

Statement of Objectives

Purpose

The Fort Drum environmental program ensures military mission activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable environmental laws, regulations and policies. Article I B of the master agreement states the objectives of the CESU are to: provide research, technical assistance and education to federal land management, environmental and research agencies and their potential partners; develop a program of research, technical assistance and education that involves the biological, physical, social sciences needed to address resource issues and interdisciplinary problem-solving at multiple scales and in an ecosystem context at the local, regional, and national level; and place special emphasis on the working collaboration among federal agencies and universities and their related partner institutions.

In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, vehicles, equipment, and materials required to conduct vegetation management for undesirable species for the Fort Drum Natural Resources Branch/Environmental Division located at Fort Drum, NY. The scope of this agreement includes supporting the Fort Drum program manager (PM) by providing technical support for execution of the Installations current invasive species management program effort that includes floral identification and surveys; managing primarily invasive and noxious plant species including with the use of herbicides; and developing, testing and analyzing the effectiveness of treatment options.

This work requires onsite support personnel located at Fort Drum, NY.

Authority

In agreement with the above stated goals, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, equipment, and materials required to implement, in part, Fort Drum’s responsibilities pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (16 USC 1531 et seq.), the Sikes Act Improvement Act (16 USC 670 et seq.), and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 USC 1361 et seq.). In general , cooperative agreements must carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, however under the authority of the Sikes Act (16 USC 670c-1 (c) (2)), notwithstanding chapter 63 of Title 31 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq), a cooperative agreement under this section may be used to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States Government.

In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), all CESU projects must carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, instead of acquiring goods or services for the exclusive direct benefit of the United States Government. Examples of carrying out a public purpose may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Project results are made available to a wide audience (including nonfederal entities).
• Project results/outputs add to the scientific literature/knowledge base, with applicability and utility beyond the scope of the project footprint/study area.
• Academic and other nonfederal partner institutions (and their personnel) gain professional experience, increase knowledge, and develop skills and abilities.
• Students benefit from direct interaction with federal scientists, program and technical staff, and field unit managers.

In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), substantial involvement is expected between the Department of Defense and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement. The DoD agrees to participate at a national level in support of the CESU program as accepted in the Master MOU for the establishment and continuation of the CESU program Article II and Article VI.

The installation further (hence DoD) agrees to provide substantial involvement as directed under the appropriate master agreement to include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fort Drum is involved in development of study methodology, data gathering, analysis, and/or report writing.
• Fort Drum actively participates and collaborates in carrying out the project plan of work, reviews and approves activities, helps train or select project staff or trainees.
• Fort Drum incurs in-kind or direct expenditures in carrying out the activities specified in the project agreement.

Description of Objectives

Task 1: Vegetation Management

1. Survey and identify vegetation targeted for management which will primarily be infestations of invasive/noxious species and the extent of their populations.
2. Study the effectiveness of treatment options on targeted vegetation and provide results and recommendations to Fort Drum land managers in a report for most cost effective treatments. 
3. Obtain the proper permits per US Army and New York State regulations to utilize chemical methods of control for vegetation management. 
4. Utilize chemical, mechanical, and/or biological methods to manage targeted vegetation. Vegetation management can occur on approximately 500 acres annually. 
5. Refer to Task 2 for geospatial information, photos, and reports.

Task 2: Documentation & Reporting

1. For capturing new geospatial data or updating existing geospatial data utilize field survey GPS data collected, by means of non-recreational GPS equipment, such as Trimble or Magellan. To ensure high quality/precision GPS data, conduct data collection when positional dilution of precision (PDOP) is 4 or less. In addition, the raw GPS data must undergo differential post-processing utilizing a permanent GPS base station with a high integrity index (e.g. 70-100). The target accuracy for the resulting differentially corrected GPS field survey data is 1-meter or better (sub-meter). Metadata must be populated for each geospatial data layer to meet minimum requirements for Army Installation Geospatial Data. Metadata shall conform to Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) as defined by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). Complete all specified fields according to the minimum metadata requirements, specify the coordinate accuracy of each source, and identify key process steps (GPS error, post processing of GPS data, and the name of the collector and dates collected). All raw GPS survey data, post-processed files, and associated post-processing reports shall be made available upon request and provided as part of the final deliverable package. The final geospatial data layer(s) deliverable shall be provided in either Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) shapefile or file geodatabase format.
2. All photographs taken on Fort Drum will be appropriately labeled with date, location, and what the photo is representing.
3. When work is conducted in the field, The project coordinator will provide weekly progress reports in an email. While not in the field or in a lab, monthly reports will be provided in an email.

Qualifications

Botanical experience or certification in plant identification is required; or a minimum of a 4 year degree in the natural sciences (forestry, botany, biology, ecology, natural resources management, etc.) is preferred.

Government Furnished Materials

1. Staff to assist in facilitating access and providing historical information.
2. Maps, aerial photographs, and GIS (Geographic Information System) data to carry out tasks described in the description of objectives.
3. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other required environmental documentation.
4. Sufficient funding to accomplish tasks mentioned in the description of objectives.
5. Vegetation management equipment and supplies including pesticides to carry out tasks described in the description of objectives.

Period of Performance

Period of performance will be 12 months. There is a need to begin this effort on or before 1 March 2025.

Options

Four 12 month Follow-On Periods are anticipated for this effort based on project conditions, needs and available funding. Follow-On periods will begin at the end of the previous period of performance.

Coordination

1. Primary Contact: Raymond Rainbolt, Natural Resources Branch 
   1. Address: 4205 Po Valley Rd, Fort Drum, NY 13602
   2. Phone: 315-772-9636
   3. E-mail: [email protected]
2. POC USACE Fort Worth: Chanley Jenkins, Biologist, Regional Planning and Environmental Center (RPEC) 
   1. Address: 819 Taylor St, Fort Worth TX 76102
   2. Phone: 918-671-9132
   3. Email: [email protected]

Deliverables

1. Reports (refer to Task 2). 
2. All data (refer to Task 2).
3. Photos taken on Fort Drum (refer to Task 2).

Post Award & Invoice Processes

Payment Requests and Progress Reports (Invoice Package) 

Submit Payment Request and additional required documents via email to [email protected]. Carbon Copy (cc) the assigned USACE Project Manager as well as your organization’s point of contacts (POCs) for the additional required documents and for delinquent accounts.

Frequency

Quarterly plus 30-day grace period (except for the final invoice package noted in the following chart). If the coverage dates are not quarterly or preapproved by the PM (or the first/last submittal), the invoice package will be rejected.

Payment Requests

Payment requests must be submitted on form SF270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement with the accompanying Standard Form-Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR), otherwise the SF270 will be rejected.

SF270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement

Block 9, Recipient Organization. 

For successful set up of Electronic Transfer of Funds (EFT), the Recipient’s name and address shall reflect the exact name and physical address that appears in the System for Award Management (SAM) website.

Blocks 11, (a), (b), & (c), Description of Funds

Blocks 11, (a), (b), & (c) are for the description of funds. Preferred description is: CLIN/POP Type, POP start and end dates, amount awarded (see example below); at minimum include the CLIN. If the description or the minimum CLIN information is missing, the SF270 and SF-PPR will be rejected.

Example:

• CLIN 0001 / Base
• 22SEP23 – 21SEP24
• $100,000.00

Funding must be separated as specified on the Award document. Sub-CLINs that specify “for funding only” (e.g., numbered 000101, 000102, etc.) may be rolled into the primary CLIN (e.g., 0001) unless otherwise instructed. All others required PM approval.

The SF270 may have multiple pages. An SF270 in Excel format may be requested via email from [email protected], however, it must be submitted in pdf format otherwise will be rejected.

SF-PPR Standard Form-Performance Progress Report

The Recipient shall tailor the SF-PPR to include, at minimum, the following information:

• Separate details by CLIN as applicable.
• Achievements (must detail work during quarter associated with the invoice).
• Percent Completion.
• Project Status.
• Problems encountered and impact of activities and personnel on schedule.
• Anticipated work in next reporting period.

If the SF-PPR is incomplete, the SF-PPR and SF270 will be rejected.

A tailored SF-PPR form may be requested via email from [email protected].

Final Invoice Package

The Final invoice package is due no later than 90 days from final (funded/exercised) POP end date and must include the following documents. If any of the required information below is missing, the final invoice package will be rejected.

• Final SF270
• SF-PPR
• Final SF425
• DD882
• SF428 plus attachment B (C&S if applicable)
• SF298
• Final Report

Forms may be requested from the district office via email ([email protected]) or found on the Grants.gov forms page. 

CESU Agreement

This cooperative agreement may be administered through a CESU only upon mutual agreement and official authorization by both parties of the acceptance of the application of the CESU Network IDC rate (17.5%).

This cooperative agreement is subject to and recipient/cooperator shall comply with 32 CFR subpart 32.34 “Equipment”, 32.35 “Supplies”, and 32.36 “Intangible Property” which includes use of research data.