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1 REQUEST for STATEMENTS of INTEREST N40192-21-2-8003 PROJECT to BE INITIATED in FISCAL YEAR 2021 Project Title: CYCAD MONITORIN

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1 REQUEST for STATEMENTS of INTEREST N40192-21-2-8003 PROJECT to BE INITIATED in FISCAL YEAR 2021 Project Title: CYCAD MONITORIN REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST N40192-21-2-8003 PROJECT TO BE INITIATED IN FISCAL YEAR 2021 Project Title: CYCAD MONITORING AT ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE (AAFB) AND TINIAN MILITARY LEASE AREA (MLA) Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential projects to be funded by the Department of the Navy (DoN) in support of monitoring the Cycas micronesica plants currently at Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB), Guam and the Tinian Military Lease Area (MLA). Approximately $219,491 is expected to be available to support this program (contingent upon availability of funds). The Department of Navy’s obligation to pay or reimburse any costs hereunder is subject to the availability of appropriated funds and limited by funds obligated and nothing in this Agreement will be interpreted to require obligations or payments by the Federal Government in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. §1341. Thus, funds have not yet been appropriated for this project and there is considerable uncertainty regarding the level of available funding for FY2021. Background Fadang or Micronesian cycad (Cycas micronesica), an endemic plant found on the islands of Guam and Rota, was the dominant plant and the most abundant ‘tree’ in Guam’s forests in 2000. The invasion of the cycad scale Aulacaspis yasumatsui in 2003 and the butterfly Luthrodes pandava (formerly known as Chilades pandava) in 2005 initiated an epidemic mortality of plant populations such that C. micronesica was Red- listed by the IUCN as endangered in 2006 and listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2016. A survey was completed in 2013 to document the extent of occupancy, density, and general health status of C. micronesica on AAFB. Five 1-acre management plots were identified and established; in 2020 the AAFB cycad management plan was updated that addressed threats to cycads and outlined appropriate conservation management measures for cycads within the management plots. In 2005, the island of Tinian was selected for ex situ conservation for Guam’s C. micronesica because Aulacaspis scale was not present. In 2007 approximately 1,000 plants from germplasm representative of Guam C. micronesica were planted on the Navy’s Tinian Military Lease Area (MLA) and have been maintained and replaced as needed since that time. The ex situ collection is intended to provide an assurance population more secure from threats acting on Guam. Unfortunately, in August 2019, Aulacaspis yasumatsui scale was discovered in one plot (#12). Treatment of infected plants began, but due to government travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tinian MLA plots were not maintained for most of 2020 allowing the spread of the Aulacaspis scale to additional plots (#9-14b). Currently, major threats to C. micronesica survival include: 1 1. Chronic herbivory by the scale Aulacaspis yasumatsui and the butterfly Luthrodes pandava (formerly known as Chilades pandava). 2. Loss of resistance to typhoon stress due to long-term scale infestation on individual plants. 3. Added damage by the leafminer Erechthias sp. and the stem borer Dihammus marianarum. 4. Secondary damage by feral pigs and Philippine deer. 5. Loss of seed production due to long-term effects of scale pressure. 6. Lack of recruitment and complete loss of seedlings and juvenile plants from the population. 7. Competition by exotic/invasive plant species. Brief Description of Anticipated Work: This project will monitor and maintain the health status of existing plant and seedlings of the Cycas micronesica currently at Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) Guam, and the Tinian Military Lease Area (MLA). The DON is seeking statements of interest from the Hawaii-Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU) networks. Proposals should address: This Agreement requires the Recipient to develop and implement the following minimum requirements (see SOW): Technical Requirements: 1. Monitor and maintain live Cycas micronesica on AAFB, Guam and Tinian MLA, including all the live seedlings Cycas micronesica and seedlings in the AAFB conservation plots. 2. Collect Cycas micronesica seeds, propagate and outplant new plants. Work will include, but is not limited to, proper storage of seeds, nursery care, invasive species control, and pest control with chemical pesticides. 3. Develop and/or implement cost-effective conservation methods approved by the Cooperative Agreement Technical Representatives (CATRs) for both AAFB and Tinian. 4. Conduct routine inspection, maintenance, and repair of the fencing at AAFB. TASKS 1. Task 1 – Monitor and manage the health status of the Cycas micronesica located within AAFB: The Recipient shall monitor and maintain the health of C. 2 micronesica within the five (5) existing, fenced one-acre plots on AAFB and within other areas as designated by the CATR (e.g. four un-fenced control plots located near the five fenced plots). The Recipient shall also monitor and maintain live seedlings growing underneath mature trees. A) Sub-Task 1.A. Field Work. The Recipient shall visit each of the plots and designated areas at least once a month and document the status of each tree and live seedlings within the plot/designated areas, conservation methods applied, and other relevant information such as extent of scale, treatment methods, and reproductive (flowering/fruiting) status. Where necessary, pesticides and all other conservation measures may be used. B) Sub-Task 1.B. Plant propagation and maintenance. The Recipient shall collect C. micronesica seeds, propagate and outplant new plants and maintain the existing C. micronesica seedlings located on AAFB and other areas indicated by the CATR. The Recipient will ensure proper storage of seeds, nursery care, watering, and pest control with chemical pesticides. The Recipient shall coordinate all outplantings with the CATR and prepare the planting site in advance. Site preparation / maintenance includes removing invasive species to ensure appropriate habitat is available for the cycad. C) Sub-Task 1.C. GIS Database Development. Recipient must develop and maintain GIS files for managing all project related data and activities. All digital and hard copy data generated for this project shall be provided to the CATR upon request. 2. Task 2 – Develop and/or implement approved conservation methods for AAFB. The Recipient will implement adaptive management throughout the period of performance, however specific conservation measures that are essential to the health status of the cycad will be documented in the final POAM/Work Plan to ensure cost- effective measures are routinely implemented and priorities understood among the Recipient and the CATR. Any new conservation method(s) developed and/or implemented shall be discussed with the CATR in advance of implementation and the POAM/Workplan will be revised to document changes in conservation methods. These changes shall also be described in the monthly status reports, draft, and final reports. A) Sub-Task 2.A. Literature Review and Innovation. The Recipient shall conduct a literature review of pertinent research regarding Cycas micronesica and other relevant topics including, but not limited to, insect pest control, plant nutrition, and transplantation techniques. Recipient will be expected to recommend and implement innovative methods and techniques that may enhance the health of Cycas micronesica. B) Sub-Task 2.B. AAFB Field Plot Enhancements. The Recipient shall implement cost-effective conservation methods that include but are not limited to: 3 • Insect pest control • Management of exotic species • Enhancement of seedling growth • Identifying additional areas that are suitable for out-planting C) Sub-Task 2.C. Plant Nursery Enhancements. The Recipient shall implement cost-effective conservation methods that include but are not limited to: • Manual pollination or other methods to enhance reproductive success and plant growth • Effective propagation and out-planting of plants • In-situ and ex-situ conservation measures • Conduct nutritional analysis to determine optimum conditions 3. Task 3 – Conduct routine inspection, maintenance, and repair of the fencing for AAFB. The Recipient shall conduct monthly inspections, maintenance and repairs to ungulate fencing surrounding the 1-acre C. micronesica plots. The Recipient shall immediately report to the CATR any visible markings that maybe a sign of ungulate presence or sightings of ungulates or other invasive species which have entered or were observed inside of the fenced area. Recipient shall NOT attempt to capture / remove / eradicate the ungulate or invasive species. The CATR will facilitate the removal of the ungulates with AAFB Volunteer Conservation Officers. A) Sub-Task 3.A. Fence Inspections, Maintenance, & Repair. On a monthly basis, Recipient shall conduct and record inspections of three 1-acre C. micronesica plots, and notify the CATR immediately of any breaches or damage to any part of the fence. The recipient shall conduct routine repairs and maintenance of the fence as needed, sufficient to prevent ungulates from entering. Damaged fencing should be repaired in a timely manner, and prioritized after discovery. The three plots include Achae Point, Tarague Basin, and AAFB Golf Course. B) Sub-Task 3.B. Removal of Non-Native Plants. Recipient shall routinely monitor and remove all non-native plants that are growing on the perimeter fencing, hanging over the perimeter fencing, leaning on the
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