RE-POSTING Project Title: Oak Tree Mitigation Siting Plan Support at Fort Hunter Liggett Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL), which provides professional and technical support for its Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) in order to facilitate successful implementation of the 16 USC 670c-1 Sikes Act. Approximately $49,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the base period. Additional funding may be available for additional tasks and/or follow on work in subsequent fiscal years to the successful Recipient/Awardee. Background: Provide Oak Tree Mitigation Siting Plan support to Fort Hunter Liggett, California, Natural Resources Program activities. NOTE: Must be a non-federal partner in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program to be qualified for consideration. Brief Description of Anticipated Work: This research focuses on the following objectives: FHL Oak Mitigation Planting Siting Plan Preparation The Cooperator shall accomplish an Oak Tree Mitigation Siting Plan (OTMSP) for FHL. The purpose of the OTMSP is to prescribe precisely where mitigation plantings for native oak trees should be sited within FHL’s cantonment and important locations and facilities (to be identified by the installation) within FHL’s training areas, and prescribe which oak tree species should be planted where. The cooperator shall use expert knowledge of oak tree ecology (each species’ soil, rainfall, aspect, slope, requirements, etc.) to determine best location for plantings in coordination with FHL’s most current master planning documents. BACKGROUND RESEARCH: The Cooperator shall accomplish review and analysis of existing information provided by the installation or publicly available necessary for preparation of the OTMSP to include but not limited to: Recent Installation Master Plans, INRMPs and component plans, and National Environmental Policy Act documents provided by FHL FHL’s Oak Management Plan Geographic Information System (GIS) database provided by FHL FHL Military Training Habitat Map (2014) report and GIS database Available soils data Topographical GIS data (elevation, slope, aspect, etc.) Current and historical areal imagery LONG-TERM PLANNING COORDINATION The cooperator shall coordinate early in the OTMSP development process to ensure integration with existing long-term development plans. The Cooperator shall accomplish coordination with installation Directorates and personnel, to include but not limited to Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, Operations and Integrated Training Area Management; Directorate of Public Works, Master Planning, Cultural Resources Management, and Natural Resources Management; Directorate of Emergency Services, Fire Department and Conservation Law Enforcement. SITE VISIT The Cooperator shall visit FHL for fieldwork and interviews early in the plan development process. The Cooperator shall use master planning documents and interviews with installation staff to identify general locations for oak tree mitigation plantings to visit in person. Once onsite, the Cooperator shall survey existing site conditions to identify suitable ecological and environmental conditions for planting different tree species. SPATIAL DATA DEVELOPMENT The Cooperator shall create a series of detailed maps and a GIS layer(s) to show precise location for future oak plantings in accordance with FHL’s Oak Tree Management Plan. The planting of individual trees shall be identified by points. The cooperator shall attribute the GIS layer with site- and species-specific instructions for planting such as soil amendment and/or watering schedule. The GIS data products shall be compatible with, and projected in the same coordinate system as, FHL’s Master GIS Database. DRAFT THE OTSMP The Cooperator shall accomplish preparation of the OTSMP to address items including but not limited to the following: Based on master planning documents, interviews with FHL staff, and historic structure (i.e., Mission San Antonio De Pudua) viewshed protection, identify locations for mitigation plantings. Define precisely where individual trees should be planted, which species should be planted where based on ecological needs of each species. Give species-specific and site-specific care and monitoring instructions for each planting. Prescribe soil amendments and watering schedule (if needed) and growth threshold for terminating active care once the tree is independently established for each species identified. Instructions shall be detailed enough to allow implementation by DPW Operations and Maintenance staff (i.e., gardeners) or construction contractors (with minimal oversite from DPW Environmental Division staff) who may not have knowledge of forestry or arboricultural practices. The plan shall incorporate the FHL Oak Management Plan (2019) by reference and avoid reiterating content in existing documents. The plan shall include many detailed maps. The majority of information included in the plan shall be included in maps and associated GIS data. The plan shall include detailed description of the methods used to generate the data and report, sufficient such that the products could be replicated. COORDINATION The Cooperator shall coordinate with FHL representatives, including but not limited to representatives from DPW Environmental and Master Planning, and Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. Development of the OTMSP shall include a kick off meeting, site visits, progress reviews, teleconferences and other communications to exchange information, identify data gaps, and coordinate draft solutions with the FHL POCs. NOTE: At this time we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and skills for performing similar or the same type of work. The Cooperator shall provide a project team that demonstrates competence, knowledge, and experience in natural resources, forestry, and oak tree ecology; with knowledge of military activities preferred. Biologists shall have at a minimum a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Forestry, or closely related field. At least one team member shall be a Certified Forester or Arborist (or equivalent) and certified by a professional or educational institution (e.g., Society of American Foresters). The team shall possess knowledge and experience with California Central Coast ecosystems. You will be evaluated for a request for a proposal based on skills and qualifications demonstrated in your SOI. Period of Performance. The agreement will extend 12 months from date of award. Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time. Please send responses or direct questions to: USACE Sandra Justman, Contract Specialist CESWF-CT Email:
[email protected] Office: 817-886-1073 Brian Hesford, Project Manager CENWO-PM Email:
[email protected] Office: 402-995-2759 Re-Posting: Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI is required to be posted on www.grants.gov for a minimum of 30 days. Review of Statements of Interest will begin 08/25/2021.