SOURCES SOUGHT
C -- Tallac, Spring, & Taylor Creek Watersheds Ecosystem Assessment
- Notice Date
- 5/1/2003
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, R-5 IBET Province, Eldorado N.F., 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA, 95667
- ZIP Code
- 95667
- Solicitation Number
- RFP-IBET-03-03-115
- Archive Date
- 9/30/2003
- Point of Contact
- Kathy Griffin, Contracting Officer, Phone 530 621-5295, Fax 530 621-5258, - Carrol Jagger, Procurement Assistant, Phone 530 621-5232, Fax 530 621-5258,
- E-Mail Address
-
kgriffin@fs.fed.us, cjagger@fs.fed.us
- Description
- Lake Tahoe basin is considered a national treasure and therefore the subject of legislation, research, and management in order to restore the lake?s ecosystem. Watershed management concerns in the Lake Tahoe basin focus on the preservation of water clarity in the lake. Increased loading rates of nutrients and sediments into the lake are reducing water clarity and are associated with alterations in the landscape surrounding Lake Tahoe. The majority of wetlands in the Lake Tahoe basin have been degraded or destroyed. Disturbances within Tallac Watershed include timber harvest, road construction, livestock grazing, and recreational use. The cumulative effects on natural resources have caused a decline in riparian and aquatic ecosystems as well as ecological processes and functions. In order to achieve management goals for this watershed, the USDA Forest Service (USFS), Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) proposes to conduct a thorough ecosystem assessment and restoration plan to determine needed management direction. The USFS, LTBMU is seeking SF-254s and SF-255s from qualified consultants to provide professional services for the development of a comprehensive ecosystem assessment of Tallac, Spring, and Taylor Creek watersheds, development of a restoration plan, and design of identified restoration projects. The project area is located in El Dorado County in the southwest portion of the Lake Tahoe Basin and is accessible from US Highway 89. Tallac, Spring, and Taylor Creek Watersheds encompass a total of approximately 5.6 square miles (3,584 acres)(Figure 1). The drainage area for Tallac and Spring Creek is 4.5 square miles with a channel length of 3.66 miles. Spring Creek connects with middle reach of Tallac Creek at 753362 N 4312204 E. Elevations range from 6,235 feet at the mouth of Tallac creek to 8,120 feet at the headwaters of Spring Creek. Maximum elevation of the Tallac drainage area is 9,735 feet. Taylor Creek is adjacent to Tallac Creek and is approximately 1.5 miles. The range of elevation for the channel is from 6,320 to 7,960 feet. The majority of the project site is located on Forest Service land excluding a small parcel of private land. Vegetation within the project site includes annual and perennial grasses, sedges and rushes, aspens, deciduous shrubs, conifers, and Tahoe Yellow Cress, a threatened species. The main components of this project are: 1. Geomorphology - Geologic and geomorphic analysis of Tallac, Spring, and Taylor Creek Watersheds - describe watershed morphological characteristics created by climate, glaciation, faulting, landslides, land management etc. that impose physical controls on the geomorphic function of the ecosystem - determine the pre-Euro-settlement, pre-Comstock, and pre-fire-suppression conditions and the natural processes related to these conditions - Time series aerial photo analysis of watershed changes from 1939 to present - analyze channel dimension and pattern, sediment transport dynamics, reaction of watershed to floods of record, etc - Fluvial geomorphology analysis - describe system stability under current climatic regime - determine channel configurations/channel types & floodplain/floodprone configurations, channel bar and streambank size and shapes -determine floodplain connectivity - determine aquatic habitat types - determine the range of variability in channel dimension, pattern, and profile under the full range of discharges, describe current sediment and nutrient transport dynamics, etc. 2.Hydrology - Hydrologic Analysis to: determine hydrologic characteristics including drainage pattern, precipitation patterns, average annual flow rates, mean hydrograph, etc. - perform flood frequency analysis and discuss impact of peak flows on the landscape - estimate flood magnitude for rain, snow, and rain-on-snow events- determine the influence of ground water, surface flow, and lake level on wetland ecosystems - Time series aerial photo analysis of watershed changes from 1939 to present - determine the historic connectivity between the watersheds, the hydrologic changes, and the natural or human induced causes for the changes through time 3.Limnology - Investigation of aquatic chemistry - determine seasonal and annual water quality characteristics within Tallac Wetland - Hydrogeomorphic classification and analysis of Tallac Wetland - develop a functional profile that describes the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics - identify which functions are most likely to be performed, and discusses different ecosystem and landscape attributes that influence each function - Integrated Benthic Index to establish aquatic biological function as an indicator of watershed health, for use as a baseline for future monitoring of watershed ecosystem recovery 4.Forest Health - Assessment of stand dynamics (health, structure, species composition) -Compilation of historic aerial photography, ground photography and historic documentation of forest conditions - Logging History - document the spatial and temporal account of logging activities - assess historic logging methodologies and objectives and their impacts on stand dynamics (health, structure, species composition) - assess logging impacts on large wood recruitment to the fluvial system - Assessment of fire fuels conditions (stand density, pathology, mortality) 5.Soils and Vegetation - Compilation of latest available information on watershed soils - Compilation of latest available information on watershed vegetation - assess vegetative composition including noxious weeds and other non-native species and all existing data on rare and sensitive species - Aerial photograph time series analysis depicting the alteration of vegetation within Tallac Wetland 6.Fire History - Assessment of the pre-human-disturbance fire regime - History of fire as a management tool - Impacts of fire exclusion on ecosystem processes - Effects of fire on aspen stands and other SEZ vegetation 7.Wildlife Inventory, Dynamics, and Habitat - Collection of all existing data (BE/BAs) that will support planning of future restoration projects in the watershed - Assessment of primary wildlife habitat types and functional processes that maintain dynamic equilibrium in species abundance and diversityQualitative analysis of terrestrial and aquatic species communities? interrelationships with each other and their habitats and how those interrelationships have been affected by human disturbance - Assessment of beaver activity and its fluvial geomorphic and biological role in the ecosystem 8. Human Infrastructure ? Transportation - Perform focused assessment from HWY 89 to Baldwin beach parking lots and the impact of human development on fluvial geomorphic function and ecosystem processes ? Utilities -assess the affect of utilitie on ecosystem function ? Recreation -document current and traditional recreation activities connected to the watersheds - Cultural Interests - compile all existing data on Heritage Resources needed for future planning of restoration projects - identify desired conditions determined by the Washoe Tribe - document historic land management practices used by indigenous tribes within Tallac, Spring and Taylor watersheds 9.RESTORATION PLAN - A thorough description of desired conditions developed through analysis of pre-human-disturbance conditions and interaction with watershed stakeholders during the Ecosystem Assessment - A long-range restoration plan that will achieve desired conditions established in the Ecosystem Assessment - A set of proposed actions that meet the goals of the long-range restoration plan - Technical documentation that justifies and supports proposed actions and selected alternatives in the NEPA process - Cost/benefit analyses of proposed actions, alternatives to proposed actions (either generated in the NEPA process or identified by LTBMU Restoration Staff), and no action alternatives that assist the LTBMU Forest Supervisor in making informed management decisions -Biddable, certified-engineer-stamped designs and specifications for selected restoration projects. The statement of work for the assessment /design contract includes: 1. USFS coordination -A USFS Restoration Aquatic Biologist will be part of the consultant?s assessment/design team from assessment through conceptual design to final design. There will be bimonthly coordination with the restoration group, as needed, regarding the progress and status of the project and related issues through meetings or personal communications.2.Watershed Ecosystem Assessment - A professional report that summarizes all analyses and conclusions described in the Components of the Assessment section above, and any other analyses developed during contract negotiation and/or during the assessment phase of the contract and agreed upon by both USFS Restoration Staff and the contractor. 3. Watershed Restoration Plan - A professional report that includes all components in the Components of the Restoration Plan section above, and any others developed during contract negotiation and/or during the assessment and/or restoration plan phases of the contract and agreed upon by both USFS Restoration Staff and the contractor. 4. Environmental and technical documents. All studies and plans necessary for the development of NEPA documents. 5. NEPA coordination- Contractor will coordinate with USFS and a NEPA team when necessary to provide technical support for project planning. 6.Conduct all studies and/or research necessary to determine and/or support project design. This includes, but is not limited to, a thorough and complete site inspection, collection, compilation, assessment, and analysis of topographic survey data, stream channel data, limnological data, riparian data, wildlife data, and forest health data. A fluvial geomorphological analysis of the project area shall be performed to determine appropriate channel configurations/channel types, aquatic habitat types, floodprone/floodplain configurations, floodplain connectivity, channel bar size and shapes, streambank shapes, instream large wood structure and spacing, and wetland and meadow conditions. An evaluation will be conducted of the factors causing existing stream channel erosion and loss of aquatic ecosystem components in order to mitigate future erosion from those sources and create a properly functioning stream channel and aquatic ecosystem. 7.Preparation of project design plans. Project designs shall emphasize the use of passive watershed or bioengineering methods and approaches. Design plans shall be stamped and signed by a civil engineer registered in California. Final plans shall be detailed to the degree necessary that they can be used for construction drawings (main sheets at 1:40 scale) and shall include, at a minimum, a cover sheet, location map, legend, abbreviation list, general notes, plan and profile sheets, cross sections, details, temporary erosion control, land capability, revegetation, bioengineering techniques, land disturbance calculations, soil excavation quantity calculations, and instream structures. Plans shall also show location of construction and maintenance access and haul roads. The project report shall include at a minimum project introduction, problem and project need descriptions, project goals and objectives, proposed improvements, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis with findings and recommendations, alternatives considered, and a construction cost estimate.8.Contract documents. - This includes technical specifications that shall include at a minimum description of bid items and materials specified, quantity takeoff, order of work, types of equipment to be used, and procedures for diversion of the stream and/or dewatering. Projects shall have the ability to be constructed in phases, and the contract documents shall reflect this. Consultant shall also provide a final engineer?s construction cost estimate for each phase and the project in total. 9. Field reviews. Consultant shall lead four field reviews of project sites developed during the assessment. 10. Attendance at agency/organization meetings. This includes two meetings: 50% and 90% phases of project planning and design. Consultant shall be prepared to present the project design and respond to questions. 11.Design/Construction drawings. Provide reproducible, stamped, and signed original final plans for bidding purposes and electronic file of the final plans. 12.Monitoring plan. Consultant shall develop a monitoring plan for watershed recovery that includes constituents for stream channel morphology, wetland function, aquatic biology, fish and wildlife habitat, nutrient flux to the lake, and erosion and sedimentation. Contractors shall be evaluated in terms of: (1) Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services; (2) Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials; (3) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time; (4) Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules; (5) Location in the general geographical area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project; (6) Demonstrated competence in the areas of ecosystem assessment, ecosystem restoration project planning and design, knowledge of applicable codes and regulations for restoration work in forests, streams, and riparian areas of the agencies involved in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Proposals shall be evaluated based on the thoroughness, clarity, and quality of the material presented with emphasis on relevant experience, project staffing, proximity to the site, understanding of the project, and knowledge of the watersheds of the Lake Tahoe Basin. For technical information contact Sarah Muskopf 530/573-2235. The estimated value of the construction work resulting from this contract is $0.5 ? 3.0 million. Please submit your SF-254 and SF-255 to the USDA Forest Service, IBET Province, Eldorado National Forest, 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667 Attn: Acquisitions, Room 230. They are due by close of business (4:30 pm) on June 2, 2003. The SF-254 and SF-255 are available on the internet at http://www.gsa.gov and click on Federal Forms.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USDA Forest Service,, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
- Zip Code: 96150
- Zip Code: 96150
- Record
- SN00315900-W 20030503/030502073553 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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