Inactive

MCRD Parris Island intends to award a sole source contract to Develop Integrated Management Practices for the Control of Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera). The proposed sole source for this requireme... MCRD Parris Island intends to award a sole source contract to Develop Integrated Management Practices for the Control of Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera). The proposed sole source for this requirement is Clemson University. Clemson University is the only source that will satisfy the agency requirements and recognizes the critical impact to the Continuity of Operations posed by the invasive Chinese tallow tree. The research strives to address the Chinese tallow tree by promoting effective research-based standards and practices to rapidly manage the invasive species from impacting the recruit training environment. Clemson University is vastly familiar with MCRD Parris Island’s Chinese tallow tree, surrounding habitat, plot areas of the species, and history of the species. The plots on MCRD Parris Island were initially mapped during the initial evasive species project that occurred from 2011-2015. Clemson University was a key component; establishing the study plots, running the research study, analyzing the results and making critical recommendations for the management of the Chinese tallow invasions. In order to maintain the merit and integrity of the Chinese tallow studies, research consistency requires that Clemson University continue the study to determine if forestry management techniques being used are effective in decreasing the Chinese tallow populations in our forested habitat and recruit training areas. If the Chinese tallow study were to cease, it would endanger the natural habitat and impact the recruit training areas, halt all recruit training being conducted in these areas, and put many years of critical research at risk, resulting in millions of dollars lost on the existing, as well as future research, and recovery of these recruit training areas to resume the training required in MCRD Parris Island’s mission of making Marines. Clemson University is a responsible source possessing the resources requires to effectively and efficiently manage the Government’s project; Clemson has the research experience, institutional knowledge, and personnel intimately familiar with the history of MCRD Parris Island’s Chinese tallow tree management and control, and the current direction of the proposed project, project sites and requirement.