FLOODPLAIN WETLAND RESTORATION ASSISTANCE

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALUSDA-NRCS-IA-10-01FLOODPLAIN WETLAND RESTORATION ASSISTANCEAGENCYUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURENatural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)Des Moines, IowaCATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER10.923 – Emergency Watershed Protection ProgramEXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Natural Resources Conservation Service in Iowa is requesting applications toprovide implementation of restoration activities on eligible Emergency WatershedProtection – Floodplain Easement (EWP-FPE) properties. Restoration on floodplaineasements will include all necessary conservation practices, measures and activitiesrequired to restore the floodplain functions and values to the natural conditions to thegreatest extent practicable. This may include removing dikes to allow flood waters toaccess the historic floodplain and vegetation establishment. Applicants will be providingtechnical assistance necessary to implement EWP-FPE restoration plans. Performancemay include any part or all operations necessary for inspection, installation, andconstruction management activities for various floodplain wetland restorations practicesthat meet NRCS standards and specifications.Applications are being requested from eligible non-government organizations, tribes, orindividuals for competitive consideration of cooperative agreement awards with a baseyear and up to four, one-year option periods.PROPOSAL DUE DATE AND ADDRESSES: Proposals must be received in the IowaNRCS State Office by 4:30 p.m., Central Time (CT) on February 16, 2010. The addressfor hand-delivered applications or applications using express mail or overnight courierservice is: Contracting Section, ATTN: Matthew Harvey, USDA Natural ResourcesConservation Service, 210 Walnut St, Room 693, Des Moines, IA 50309.FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTIONA. Legislative AuthorityThe Emergency Watersheds Protection Program-Floodplain Easements (EWPFPE)was authorized in American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009,Public Law 111-5; Section 215 of the Flood Control Act of 1950, Public Law 81-516; the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, Section 403, Public Law 95-334, 33U.S.C. 701B01, as amended by the Federal Agriculture Improvement andReform Act of 1996, Section 382, Public Law 104-127, 16.U.S.C. 2203authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to provide technical assistance under thisprogram to eligible producers. The Secretary may request the services of nonFederalentities to assist the Secretary in providing the technical assistancenecessary implement conservation programs under this title. The Secretary ofAgriculture delegated the authority for the administration of EWP-FPE to theChief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Federal Grant andCooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 6301-6308, Public Law 95-224)is authorized to enter into grants and cooperative agreements to accomplish apublic purpose or stimulation of an activity authorized by statute. The NRCS maydo this through entering into cooperative agreements with a service provider orother cooperator to stimulate the availability of technical assistance.B. OverviewThe purpose of the Emergency Watersheds Protection – Floodplain EasementProgram is to provide for restoration, protection, maintenance and enhancementof the functions of the floodplain, conserve natural values include fish and wildlifehabitat, water quality, flood water retention, ground water recharge andsafeguard lives and property from floods. Through EWP-FPE, landowners mayreceive financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and/orvegetative restoration practices on eligible land. EWP-FPE provides that theSecretary may request the services of, and enter into cooperative agreementswith, non-Federal entities to assist in providing technical assistance necessary toimplement conservation programs under this program. The agency is directingresources toward the restoration of floodplain hydrology and function across thestate of Iowa.The NRCS is requesting proposals from qualified individuals, organizations, andtribal governments that share a common interest in the conservation andrestoration of floodplain wetland resources throughout Iowa.C. Project DescriptionThe objective of EWP-FPE is to restore the floodplain functions and values to thenatural conditions to the greatest extent practicable and reduce the impacts offlooding. Applicants will be responsible for assisting NRCS by providing technicalassistance necessary implement EWP-FPE restoration plans that have beendeveloped by NRCS staff. Performance may include any part or all operationsnecessary to perform vegetative and hydrology restoration in a timely andeffective manner. Work shall include any or all of the following activities:Vegetative plantings, obstruction removal, fencing, levee opening includesgrading and stabilization; and other related conservation practices that meetNRCS standards and specifications. See Attachment A for Vegetative Treatmentof Floodplain Easements (EWP). Additional practices may be added at NRCSdiscretion and costs will be negotiated at that time. All services shall be providedin accordance with applicable NRCS policy and criteria that can be found at thefollowing websites: NRCS Field Office Technical Guide:http://efotg.nrcs.usda.gov; and NRCS National Engineering Handbook, andNational Engineering Manual References:http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ENG.Service providers will perform all work in close coordination with the NRCS WRPSpecialist, District Conservationist (DC) and Area Engineer. Once a project isreceived the awardee will complete the assigned task during the performanceperiod identified in each task order.FPE restoration practices may include but are not limited to the followingConservation Practices: Conservation Cover (327), Tree/Shrub Establishment(612), Fence (382), Obstruction Removal – Debris Removal (500), WellDecommissioning (351), Obstruction Removal – Dike/Levee Work (500) andObstruction Removal – Existing Drainage Tiles (500); and others as deemednecessary and applicable by the Iowa NRCS. All practices are described in theNRCS electronic FOTG, which can be found at:http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/efotg/.Location of Services: Throughout IowaUSDA Service Center Location: All Iowa Field OfficesEquipment: Vehicles, computers, surveying equipment, etc.Iowa NRCS anticipates the following involvement, which is deemed substantial,in carrying out projects funded with Federal assistance provided through acooperative agreement under this announcement.

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