Spalding’s Catchfly Management Plan

Spalding’s Catchfly Management Plan

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ).

(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-04.

(iv) This procurement is a 100% small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 541620 and the Small Business Size Standard is $19 Million.

(v) Schedule of Items/Price Schedule

Schedule of Items

Item                               Supplies/Services                                        Qty                       Unit of Issue

0001                              Spalding's Catchfly Management Plan         1               ea

(vi) Description of Requirement (including a list of any attachments)

Project Title

Spalding’s catchfly Management Plan

General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

Spalding’s catchfly is a white-flowered forb endemic to north central Idaho, as well as Washington, Oregon, Montana, and British Columbia. In Idaho, a stronghold for the species occurs on Mud Springs Ridge and Center Ridge on the Salmon River District.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated Spalding’s catchfly as a threatened species in 2001, and recommended that it remain as threatened in a recent 5-year status review (USFWS 2020). The Recovery Plan for the catchfly (USFWS 2007) calls for development of habitat management plans for 27 Key Conservation Areas (KCAs), including the KCA at Mud Springs and Center Ridge. According to the Recovery Plan each KCA are subjected to monitoring, management and other factors that will display the species is stable or increasing. A habitat management plan is necessary part of fulfilling the recovery criteria outlined in the plan for each KCA. When all these factors are met, the species can be considered for delisting. A plan for managing the habitat of this KCA is needed for the process of recovery and delisting and will aid in the conservation of the species.

The purpose of this proposal is to work with multiple partners and stakeholders to develop a habitat management plan for Spalding’s catchfly in the Mud Springs Ridge - Center Ridge Mountain KCA.

The objectives of this project are to obtain information from land managers, the Natural Heritage Program database, scientific literature, and other sources sufficient to develop a habitat management plan for Spalding’s catchfly in the Mud Springs - Center Ridge KCA. This information will be used to effectively participate in the Spalding’s catchfly Technical Team and other planning or management activities for Spalding’s catchfly or other species.

Developing a habitat management plan for the Mud Springs - Center Ridge Mountain KCA is one of the steps toward recovery and delisting, per Delisting Criteria #4: Habitat management plans have been developed and implemented for all key conservation areas. Through this process, documentation of disturbances and potential conservation measures will be central to the plan. Information from IDFG’s Natural Heritage Program, scientific literature, and other sources will be compiled and included as part of the final product.

2.0 Definitions

KCA – Key Conservation Area
USDWS – US Fish and Wildlife Service
IDFG – Idaho Fish and Game

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The contractor shall prepare a management plan for the Spalding’s catchfly in the Mud Springs Ridge/Center Ridge KCA that will aid the management of the area to ensure the persistence or enhancement of the species at the site. This effort must necessarily involve existing allotment plans sufficient to meet agency obligations. It will be necessary to involve local management, particularly the District Ranger, Range and weed personnel and Forest Botanist as needed.

The management plan shall include the following topics.
1. Identify needed protections
2. Reduction of identified threats
3. Pollinator protection
4. Identify monitoring strategies
5. Identify integrated pest management strategies

6. Identify appropriate fire management activities

The management plan must coordinate with existing allotment management plans and agency regulations concerning Research Natural Area’s (RNAs).

4.0 Deliverable / Schedule

The Spalding’s catchfly management plan shall be completed within 1 year from date of award.
Monthly status reports shall be delivered as outlined below (item no. 2) throughout the duration of the contract starting from the date of award through the contract completion date.

5.0 Government Furnished
The Government will provide allotment plans with maps of allotment and pasture boundaries sufficient to provide an appropriate framework to define the KCA in a management context. Occurrence and habitat maps of Spalding’s catchfly will also be made available. The Government may provide information and assistance as desired by the contractor to aid in understanding allotment plans and developing recommendations and appropriate adaptive management.

6.0 Travel
Not Applicable

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel
Key personnel must include a Spalding’s catchfly (Silene spaldingii) specialist, with extensive experience writing, and documenting these species.

8.0 Security Requirements
Not applicable

9.0 Data Rights
Not applicable
 

Attachments:
Attachment 1: Wage Determination 2015-5511 REV 20

(vii) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance/Location
Delivery of management plan shall be within 1 year of contract award.

(viii) 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (MAR 2023) (Provision)
Addenda to provision 52.212-1:
Addenda to Provision 52.212-1:
For simplified acquisitions, the word quote or quoter is substituted in provision 52.212-1 for the word offer or offeror.

Addenda to Provision 52.212-1 paragraph (b) Submission of Offers:
1) Offerors must have an active entity registration in the System for Award Management in order to submit an offer. https://www.sam.gov/SAM/

2) Offers submitted in response to this solicitation shall include a technical capability narrative, a price proposal, and contractor representations and certifications.

a) Technical Capability – Provide a technical narrative of the personnel proposed to work on the contract, and show their extensive work with the species Spalding’s catchfly (silene spaldingii)

b) Price Proposal – Include the following: 1) the completed Schedule of Items from Section B of this solicitation, and 2) acknowledgement of any amendments to this solicitation by following the instructions that accompany the amendment(s).

c) Representations and Certifications – Fill in the check boxes for provisions 52.204-24 and 52.212-3 found in paragraph x of this solicitation and include a copy with your offer.

3) Submit offer by email to Shawn.trout@usda.gov so that it is delivered into this inbox by the due date and time.

4) Questions for this RFQ are due by September 1st, 2023 to shawn.trout@usda.gov, questions received after this time may not be answered.

Addenda to Provision 52.212-1 paragraph (f) Late submissions:
Replace (f)(2)(i) with the following:
Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. Delete 52.212-1 (f)(2)(i) paragraphs A, B, & C.

(ix) 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) (Provision)
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Technical capability and price.

See attached document for full solicitation.