Fish and Wildlife Service

Description

This agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) and the Chicago Horticultural Society (Chicago Botanic Garden) (CBG) is entered into in support of habitat restoration on National Wildlife Refuges through the engagement of citizen scientists and volunteers in the collection of native seed and development of seed banks with the long term goal of propagating and restoring native vegatation on refuges. A primary constraint to large-scale restoration projects on refuges following invasive plant control and prescribed fire is the availability of local, genetically-appropriate native seed capable of establishing to ensure long-term success. NWRS land contain many populations of desirable native species suitable for seed collection, propagation and restoration projects. Justification for Single Sources Determination: In accordance with Department of the Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14), the USFWS provides notice of its intent to make a single-source award in the amount of $49,959.00 via a Cooperative Agreement with the Chicago Horticultural Society (Chicago Botanical Garden). Competition is not practicable for this project for the following reason. The applicant's Unique Qualifications: CBG is uniquely qualified as a partner in NWRS efforts to collect and preserve native seed for restoration because they have developed a Seeds of Success, native seed collection protocol and training program that is especially designed for use by citizen scientists and volunteers and has previously been utilized on refuge lands. CBG has past experience training refuge staff and volunteers in use of this protocol on refuges and they have immediate and ready access to a wide range of appropriate partners, subcontractors, and datasets that may be necessary to support the project. In addition, CBG is in a unique position to assist the NWRS due to the geographic location of the CBG project coordinator, based in Portland, Oregon, who will be leading this project in the northwestern states (Region 1) where this pilot program will take place.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Kay Shipp <br/>Administrative Officer <br/>Phone 703-358-2510
Kay_Shipp@fws.gov