REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST NUMBER W9126G-19-2-SOI-5961 PROJECT TO BE INITIATED IN 2019
Project Title: Management and habitat conservation and improvement for two plant species, the federally endangered Small’s milkpea and candidate species sand flax at US Army project site in support of U.S. Special Operations Command South, Homestead, Florida.
Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential investigators for a project to be funded by US Army Installation Management Command which provides professional and technical support for its Endangered Species Biology Programs in order to facilitate successful implementation of the combined INRMP and ESMP. Approximately $250,000 is expected to be available to support this project for the five-year duration of the project. Amounts: Base $70,000, Year 1 $60,000 and Years 2-4 $40,000 are available.
Background:
U.S. Special Operations Command South Headquarters (SOCSOUTH) in Homestead, Florida is located within southeastern Miami-Dade County near the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The SOCSOUTH property is comprised of 84.2 acres leased by the US Army from Miami-Dade County for 50-years, and US Army proposes to conserve a total of 14.7 acres of occupied Small’s milkpea and sand flax habitat in two management areas containing about 12.6 acres, 2.1 acres.
Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
This research focuses on the following objectives:
1). Objective: Monitor, conserve and manage existing populations of Small’s milkpea and sand flax in two management areas. Establish baseline condition of existing plants and pine Rockland habitat.
2). Objective: Remove invasive and ruderal species from Small’s milkpea and sand flax habitat in protected areas and elsewhere. Manage native habitat, including the control of native hardwoods and establishment of native pine rockland understory vegetation. This will be accomplished as an on-going effort and with a variety of means (i.e., herbicides, mowing, prescribed burns).
3). Objective: Reduction of Native Woody Vegetation. Nearly throughout both Management Areas, the cessation of mowing and the removal of invasive species has led the recruitment of native woody vegetation. In some areas, the density and cover of native woody vegetation may become too high, with negative effects on Small’s milkpea, sand flax, and other native understory plants. Where too dense, native hardwood trees and shrubs would be reduced, especially along the perimeter and in dense patches where fire will not carry. A variety of techniques can be employed, including basal herbicide treatments, cutting and removal, mulching and mowing, and prescribed fire.
4). Objective: Implementation of Prescribed Burning or Analog Activities. The preferred method of managing pine rockland habitat is through prescribed burning, which would be implemented if practicable. If this is not possible, or until such time as prescribed fire is possible, fire analog activities, such as conservation mowing regimes, would be implemented.
Period of Performance. The base period of agreement will extend 12 months from award. Four option periods extending for one year are anticipated subject to availability of funds.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Sandra.Justman@usace.army.mil & zia.burns@usace.army.mil (Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
- Name, Organization, Cage Code, Duns number, and Contact Information
- Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):a. Biographical Sketch,
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects,
c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise, d. Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).
Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time.
Review of Statements Received: All statements of interest received 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. Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements.
Please send responses or direct questions to:
USACE
Sandy Justman
CESWF-CT
Email: Sandra.Justman@usace.army.mil Office: (817) 886-1073
USACE
Zia Burns- Biologist/Project Manger CESWF-RPEC- CI
Email: zia.burns@usace.army.mil Office: (817)886-1633
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: The RSOI are required to be out for a minimum of 10 working days. Review of Statements of Interest will begin 31 May 2019.