B--2026 ELY HAZARDOUS FUELS TERRESTRIAL AIM

Amendment / Modification

• This amendment formally cancels Solicitation 140L3926Q0010.

• No award will be made from this solicitation.

• The entire solicitation is cancelled.

• Bidders are no longer required to submit offers for this solicitation.

• The period of performance originally listed (03/16/2026 to 01/30/2027) is noted in the context of the cancellation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix: Tree Density Protocol - Forest Inventory Supplemental Methods," provides detailed instructions for conducting forest inventory and measuring tree density. It is intended to supplement existing field procedures for monitoring programs.

• Safety: Emphasizes safety protocols and the use of proper protective gear in field operations.
• Plot Layout: Describes the standardized layout for forest inventory plots, including subplot dimensions (24.0 ft radius), microplot dimensions (6.8 ft radius), and the spatial arrangement of subplots (30 meters apart at specific azimuths).
• Tree Diameter Measurement: Details methods for measuring tree diameter, including Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) at 4.5 ft and Diameter at Root Collar (DRC) for woodland species. It specifies how to handle trees with forks or swelling.
• Diameter Classes: Defines categories for live trees: Seedlings (0.0-0.9 in), Saplings (1.0-4.9 in), Pole (5.0-8.9 in), Medium (9.0-19.9 in), Large (20.0-32.9 in), and X-Large (33.0 in or greater).
• Woodland Species: Lists common woodland species encountered on the Ely District and provides specific measurement guidance for them.
• Multi-stemmed Trees: Outlines the calculation of Diameter at Root Collar (DRC) for multi-stemmed trees using a formula based on the sum of squared stem diameters.
• Tallying Criteria: Defines criteria for what constitutes a 'Tree,' 'Sapling,' and 'Seedling' based on size and length, and specifies where they are sampled (subplot or microplot).
• Data Sheet Example: Provides a template for a sample tree inventory data sheet, organized by species and diameter class across different transects.
• Reporting Groupings: Explains that reporting uses two main groupings: Seedlings and Saplings (Seed_Sap) for regeneration, and Pole and larger (Pole_Plus) for established trees.

This document is crucial for any bidder whose opportunity involves forest inventory, ecological surveys, or land management where tree density and characteristics need to be assessed. It provides the specific methodologies, definitions, and measurement standards that must be followed, directly impacting how work is performed and data is collected. Understanding these protocols is essential for accurate proposal development and successful execution of related tasks.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) data collection to document the effectiveness of hazardous fuels reduction within the Ely District BLM. The scope includes up to 80 points in the 2026 field season.

• Terrestrial AIM data collection.

• Scope of work includes up to 80 points in the 2026 field season.

• Base points (60) and Option points (20) are detailed, with option points covering the Bristlecone Field Office.

• Period of Performance: March 16, 2026 to January 30, 2027 (for base points) and March 16, 2026 to January 14, 2027 (for option points).

• Contract type is not explicitly stated, but the evaluation is based on a "best value, trade-off process."

• Proposals and questions are due by March 10, 2026, at 13:00 PT.

• Questions are due by March 4, 2026.

• Proposals and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically via email to Tyler Johnson at TLJohnson@blm.gov.

• Evaluation factors include Technical, Past Performance, and Price, with Technical and Past Performance being more important than Price.

• Technical evaluation requires a project plan (max 6 pages), demonstration of knowledge of terrestrial systems and AIM methods, a sample hitch schedule, and identification of key personnel.

• Past Performance requires at least three similar project examples completed within the last five years, with detailed information provided.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

• NAICS Code: 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services).

• Small Business Size Standard: $19 Million.

• Various small business representations and certifications are required.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR clauses by reference. Offerors are advised to review these clauses.

• Electronic invoicing via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) is required.

• Attachments include Statement of Work, Attachment A (Plant Density), Attachment B (Tree Density), and Wage Determination 2015-5601.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Appendix: Supplemental Method for ESR/Fuels AIM plots - Plant Density," outlines the standardized methodology for measuring plant density as part of ecological site and fuel inventory assessments. It provides detailed instructions for field personnel.

• Equipment: Specifies basic AIM equipment and a 1m² sampling square or 2m+ folding ruler.
• Method: Details the placement of quadrats along transects, the search and recording of perennial grass, perennial and native annual forb, and shrub species (excluding cheatgrass). It defines how to count living, rooted plants, including specific boundary rules for plants at the quadrat edge and criteria for distinguishing individual plants. Special instructions are provided for recently burned areas, differentiating between resprouts and seedlings.
• Calibration: Establishes acceptable observer agreement for plant counts.
• Calculation: Outlines the steps for calculating mean plant density per transect and per plot.
• Data Sheet: Includes a "PERENNIAL PLANT DENSITY DATA SHEET" for recording species, counts (resprout/seedling), and plot/transect information.

This document serves as a procedural attachment, likely to be incorporated into a Statement of Work or Solicitation. Bidders involved in ecological surveys, vegetation monitoring, or fuel assessments should review this methodology to understand the specific requirements for plant density data collection, reporting, and the associated data recording tools.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District's requirement for Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) data collection to assess the effectiveness of hazardous fuels reduction efforts.

• Data Collection: Collect Terrestrial AIM data at up to 80 points within the Ely District, Nevada, during the 2026 field season. This includes 60 base points and an additional 20 option points.

• Methods: Adhere to the most current version of the BLM's Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems and the Terrestrial AIM Data Management Protocol. This involves core methods (Plot Characterization, Plot Observation, Photos, Line-Point Intercept, Vegetation Height, Gap Intercept, Soil Aggregate Stability, Plot-Level Species Inventory) and supplemental methods (Sagebrush Shape, Plant Density, Tree Density).

• Coordination: Conduct post-award kick-off and pre-collection meetings, and submit detailed hitch plans prior to field work.

• Data Management: Utilize electronic data capture devices (tablets with Survey123) and ensure data synchronization with the AIM enterprise database.

• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): Implement QA/QC steps as outlined in the Monitoring Manual and Data Management Protocol, including regular calibration of data collectors.

• Period of Performance: March 16, 2025, through January 30, 2027.

• Field Season: Data collection is scheduled from May 15 to September 30, 2026.

• Location: BLM-administered lands throughout the Ely District, Nevada. Data collection points may be in remote locations, up to 3 miles from a road, and on slopes up to 50%.

• Personnel Qualifications: Project/Crew Manager requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant science and 2 years of project management experience. Field crews must have experience in plant identification and soil description, and have completed BLM-led Terrestrial AIM Core Methods Training.

• Equipment: Contractor must provide all necessary gear, including electronic data capture devices, professional grade compasses, and field supplies. Four-wheel drive (4X4) vehicles with high clearance are required; UTV/ATVs may also be necessary.

• Safety: Crews must be prepared for primitive camping conditions and potential hazards in remote areas.

• Data Submission: Data must be submitted via Survey123, with final quality control and data edits completed by specified deadlines.

Deliverables include sampled points with initial quality control, final quality control checks, and completion of BLM-recommended data edits, tied to a phased payment schedule throughout the contract period.

Wage Determination

This document provides the official U.S. Department of Labor wage determination for various occupations under the Service Contract Act. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for employees performing contract work in specific geographic areas.

• Geographic Area: Nevada Counties of Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Pershing, White Pine.
• Occupational Listings: The document lists numerous occupations with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and required fringe benefits.
• Fringe Benefits: A standard fringe benefit rate of $5.55 per hour (or $222.00 per week) is generally applicable, with a specific rate of $5.09 per hour for Executive Order 13706.
• Executive Orders: It references Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage), outlining contractor obligations for paid sick leave and minimum wage rates.
• Conformance Process: Details the process for classifying and determining wages for occupations not explicitly listed in the determination.

This wage determination is crucial for bidders to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. It ensures compliance with federal labor laws by specifying the minimum compensation and benefits that must be provided to employees working on covered contracts within the defined service area.