SAM #12FPC326Q0009

USDA NRCS Southern Nevada NRI Data Collection Services Solicitation

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking contractors to provide National Resources Inventory (NRI) data collection services for Southern Nevada, focusing on both federal and private grazing lands. - Government Buyer: - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Southern Nevada office - Contracting office: FPAC Business Center Acquisition Division, Washington, DC - Scope of Work: - Field data collection at up to 616 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) points and 40 Onsite Private Grazing Land (OPGL) points across multiple Nevada counties - Data types: landscape, soil, ecological site assignments, pasture condition, rangeland health, plant identification and census, species composition and biomass, disturbance indicators, sagebrush shape and identification, resource concerns, conservation practices, plant cover, density, and height - Data entry using NRCS-approved Computer Assisted Survey Instrument (CASI) software on hand-held computers - Data submission to Iowa State University Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology server in Ames, Iowa - Products and Equipment: - Field measurement tools: flexible tapes (up to 250 units), metal survey pins, grass clippers, pruning shears, quadrate frames, paper bags, gram scales, dry-erase boards, survey poles, clinometers, compasses, digital cameras (8MP+), soil sampling tools, pH meters, Munsell color books, hand lenses, soils knives, distilled water, and computers with Windows OS - Unique Requirements: - Work in remote, rugged terrain requiring 4-wheel drive vehicles and hiking - Contractors must secure landowner permissions for private lands - Team leaders and crew members must meet specific technical qualifications - All work must comply with the latest NRI Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection Handbook - Progress reports required every 30 days; final data and images due by mid-October - Period of Performance: - Base period of one year, with up to four additional one-year option periods (potential total of five years) - No specific OEMs or branded products are required; all equipment must meet functional specifications. - **Data submission location: - Iowa State University Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, Ames, Iowa

Description

The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supplies, materials, and incidentals necessary to provide National Resources Inventory (NRI) data collection services for NRCS-Southern Nevada as described below and in accordance with the work statement attached to and hereby made a part of this solicitation.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture is mandated (through the Rural Development Act of 1972, the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977, and other supporting legislation) to assess the status, condition, and trends of soil, water, and related resources on the Nation’s non-Federal lands. Resources inventory legislative authorities, NRCS policy, and responsibilities for conducting the National Resources Inventory (NRI) are contained in NRCS General Manual 290, Part 400. 

The objective of this solicitation is to acquire specified inventory data on one or two data collection points situated within selected sample segments located in Southern Nevada. Data will be collected in accordance with the standards outlined in the National Resources Inventory Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection, Handbook of Instructions (P. Reference Materials). Sample segments are located in remote areas situated on federal or non-federal land.  Access may require 4-wheeled vehicles and/or hiking long distances over rough terrain.

Required data includes:

Landscape information Soil component determinations Ecological site assignments Pasture condition Rangeland health assessments Plant identification and census Species composition, standing biomass Disturbance indicators Sagebrush shape and identification Identification of resource concerns Occurrence of conservation practices and conservation needs Plant cover, density, and height Other attributes

The Contractor shall enter the data collected into hand-held computers using NRCS approved software - the Computer Assisted Survey Instrument (CASI). All data will be submitted to the server at Iowa State University Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology (ISU server) located in Ames, Iowa. All data will be collected in accordance with the latest version of National Resources Inventory Grazing Land On-Site Data Collection, Handbook of Instructions (P. Reference Materials).

The estimated period of performance is May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027 for the base period and May 1 – April 30 for every option period thereafter, if exercised.

Please see attached RFQ documents for complete details.

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