B--Conservation Strategy for the Tahoe Yellow Cress

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the U.S. Forest Service anticipates awarding a non-competitive contract to BMP Ecosciences for the continuation of the implementation of the Conservation Strategy for the Tahoe Yellow Cress (Rorippa subumbellata) (Pavlik et al. 2002). The strategy outlines goals and objectives intended to facilitate recovery of Tahoe yellow cress, improve populations, and guide management and conservation activities to secure its survival into the future and to prevent the need to list the species under the Federal Endangered Species Act and allow the States of Nevada and California to downlist or delist this species under their respective endangered species acts. This program of work is a continuation of activities performed by BMP Ecosciences that commenced in 2000 with the drafting the Tahoe yellow cress Conservation Strategy (CS). These activities have included collection of seed, oversight of nursery activities (propagation and maintenance), experimental design and implementation of mitigation studies, continued implementation and monitoring of outplanting/translocation studies, continued water relations study, development of a survey protocol that will detect sustainable metapopulation dynamics, and fulfilling reporting requirements as specified under the strategy. Implementation is expected to continue through 2010. The key management questions and research and adaptive management framework for Tahoe yellow cress were also developed by BMP Ecosciences. They have provided the necessary scientific expertise for the experimental design and implementation of statistically robust studies on the ground. Project activities specific to this contract will include an expanded analysis and interpretation of TYC data collected between 2003 and 2006, which will provide insight into the effects of genetics, microhabitat, and water relations on plant performance. Experimental reintroduction and restoration trials that were initiated in 2002 will continue, as well as collaboration with the Adaptive Management Working Group (AMWG), Technical Advisory Group (TAG), and Executive Committee. Three draft manuscripts will be prepared with the final goal of publication in a peer reviewed journal. These manuscripts will highlight the significant findings, processes, and lessons learned from the Tahoe yellow cress project over the past four years. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within forty-five days (thirty days if award is issued under an existing basic ordering agreement) after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Vendors believing they can meet this requirement must submit written information showing clearly that they are able to meet the requirements stated above. All information must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. (PST) on March 5, 2007. Mail to Attn: Contracting Department, Tahoe National Forest, 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, CA., or fax to 530-478-6126.