Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MARCH 25, 2004 FBO #0850
SOLICITATION NOTICE

F -- Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program Implementation In Oregon

Notice Date

3/23/2004
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

NAICS

541990 — All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
 

Contracting Office

Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oregon State Office, 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1300, Portland, OR, 97204-3221
 

ZIP Code

97204-3221
 

Solicitation Number

NRCS-OR-04-02
 

Response Due

4/23/2004
 

Archive Date

5/8/2004
 

Point of Contact

Rene Walls, Contract Specialist, Phone 503-414-3212, Fax 503-414-3102,
 

E-Mail Address

rene.walls@or.usda.gov
 

Description

FY2004 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Implementation in Oregon: The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a national USDA program administered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). WHIP provides technical and financial assistance for the restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitats of national and state significance, threatened and endangered species, and habitats of local concern. Oregonians may use WHIP funds on lands where fish and wildlife habitat has been impacted by agricultural activities, urban development, or areas where invasive species have negatively altered fish and wildlife populations and habitats. For FY2004 Oregon WHIP funding will be available to all areas of Oregon. NRCS will use a Request for Proposals (RFP) process and rank and select submitted proposals. In the Request for Proposal, NRCS seeks proposals consistent with Oregon?s WHIP funding priorities: Enhancement and restoration of native vegetation on coastal estuaries and salt marsh, streams and rivers, riparian and flood plain, wetlands, native and wet prairie, grasslands, oak woodlands and savanna, shrub/steppe, and mixed coniferous ? alpine habitats. Enhancement and restoration of habitats for threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species, and state species listed as ?species of special concern?, such as salmonids, short nose sucker, Sage grouse marbled murrlet, western pond turtle, spotted owl, , western gray squirrel, silver spot butterfly, and several vegetative species critical in wildlife habitats. Restoration and enhancement of diverse wildlife habitats that serve multiple species and are critical to threatened and endangered species and species of concern. WHIP proposals must be submitted to the NRCS Oregon State Office by 4/23/04. Eligible projects must be voluntary efforts that benefit species or their habitat on lands controlled by private landowners, state and local governmental entities, or Tribes. Projects in partnership with other persons or entities are encouraged. Proposals will be competitively ranked and selected based on a point system consistent with FY04 priorities and the Oregon State Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) Plan. Each selected proposal will result in WHIP contracts with the respective landowners. WHIP contracts are generally 5 to 10 year agreements to provide restoration cost share funding at a 75% federal cost share payment. However, as part of the 2002 Farm Bill, WHIP now includes the option of a 15-year agreement to allow for the long-term protection of habitat to implement beneficial wildlife habitat practices that do not offer economic return, such as for non-game declining species. These agreements fund up to 100 percent for implementing practices specifically targeted to restore and protect essential plant and animal habitats. For 15 year agreements enrolled landowners voluntarily limit future use of their land in order to develop upland, wetland, riparian and aquatic habitat areas. Essential plant and animal habitat includes critical habitat designated under federal or state law, locations of listed or candidate species that can be improved with specific practices, or particularly rare and unique habitats that could support at-risk species. Implementation: Cooperative Agreement The selected WHIP proposals will be funded through cooperative agreements. A cooperative agreement will be entered into between the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS); and the selected partner. This cooperative agreement assists both NRCS and the partner with the implementation of common objectives and mutual interests in restoring and protecting fish and wildlife habitat within the state of Oregon. In the agreement NRCS and partner agree to combine their resources to ensure that wildlife habitat in the State of Oregon is restored and maintained. Upon execution of this agreement, NRCS shall obligate WHIP funds for the implementation of wildlife habitat activities. This cooperative agreement is the authorizing document to obligate NRCS funds for habitat development activities as proposed in the selected WHIP proposals. Partner will design of treatment to create the conditions necessary to develop and maintain the habitat functions of the project area. This assistance will include activities associated with developing the preliminary and final Wildlife Habitat Development Plans (WHDP) addressing the participant's identified wildlife resource needs. The WHDP will be developed in accordance with WHIP regulations, policies, and NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) standards. The plan must contain all conservation practices needed to meet FOTG Quality Criteria for conservation management systems and National Planning Procedures Handbook (NPPH ) planning policy specifically as it relates to the participant's wildlife resources. Practices approved for cost share in FY2004 are identified in Attachment 1. NRCS will provide the partner with sufficient information to perform the tasks outlined in this agreement. Specifically, NRCS will provide technical and other assistance required to develop and implement wildlife habitat development plans under this cooperative agreement. NRCS will also provide training and information to partners as it deems necessary to ensure program requirements are performed in accordance with current up-to-date information. NRCS will review the development of an O&M agreement in accordance with WHIP regulations and policies for the project prior to performance of work or award of a contract for which NRCS will provide reimbursement under this agreement. Fund Distribution The FY04 WHIP financial assistance funds: 1. Distribution goal is 35% tribal and 65% non-tribal. 2. Will be awarded in statewide competition. 3. Per proposal cap of $100,000. RFP Ranking and Selection The prioritization and funding of proposals will be completed in the following manner: 1. Applicant completes the proposal form posted in FedBizops. 2. Applicants are encouraged to visit with NRCS at the respective local USDA Service Center to discuss local wildlife habitat concerns and priorities. 3. NRCS will select the proposals to be funded. 4. At least one proposal will be awarded per each NRCS Basin. 5. Additional proposals will be selected from the remaining number of proposals and funds. 6. Each proposal will be ranked according to the Oregon WHIP Ranking Criteria. Interested parties can contact Bill White Program Manager at 503 414-3085 for technical questions. The attached application is for interested parties to complete and submit along with SF_254/255 or equivilant resume' to USDA NRCS, 101 SW Main Street, Suite 1300, Portland, OR 97204 before 4:00PM PDST on Friday, April 23, 2004.
 

Place of Performance

Address: Various locations in the state of Oregon

Zip Code: 97204

Country: USA
 

Record

SN00552235-W 20040325/040323211652 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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