Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) and Prairie Restoration, Seaplane Base, NAS Whidbey Island

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Northwest (NAVFAC NW), Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI), Washington, in support of the Environmental business line (EV), is conducting preliminary planning market research to obtain information from potential and eligible contractors for a services contract intended for Prairie Management, with a specific focus on restoration and improvement of the population status of Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta). The Forbes Point population has declined since the year 2000, and current population estimates fluctuate between 70 and 100 individuals. This effort is intended to increase the population size by twenty percent annually over a period of five years and conduct restoration activities for Puget Sound prairie habitat. The goal is to (1) manage, (2) propagate, (3) maintain, and (4) recover the Forbes Point Golden Paintbrush population and its prairie habitat; this species of Golden Paintbrush is only known to grow in this specific area of the Puget Sound. Eligible sources must: Have access to a North Puget Sound Golden Paintbrush seed source for propagation, seeding, and/or plug planting over a 5-year period. Have demonstrated experience recovering and managing golden paintbrush populations for a minimum of 5 years and be a qualified restoration expert of golden paintbrush in the Pacific Northwest. Be able to obtain State and Federal compliances for any herbicide use (i.e., have Washington State applicator’s license). Be able to meet Navy Security requirements. The general scope of this market research is to identify interested sources with Golden Paintbrush expertise to accomplish recovery of the Forbes Point Golden Paintbrush population by any appropriate methods: Removal of invasive, non-native and competing vegetation via: Selective herbicide application Mowing Outplanting of Golden Paintbrush Plugs Spreading of Golden Paintbrush seed onsite A Golden Paintbrush management regime and population monitoring is also to be conducted by the source. Eligible sources must have demonstrated prairie management experience, as well as specific experience in restoration of Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta). Eligible sources would be required to: Monitor the site annually, providing population counts and plant location site maps The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, vehicles, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other non-personal services necessary to perform services.

Division 32 -

Exterior Improvements, Operation and Maintenance of Exterior Improvements, Irrigation, Planting Irrigation, Planting, Planting Preparation, Soil Preparation, Landscape Grading.