Updated_Statement of Work_Wildlife Acoustic Survey Equipment Titley Scientific.docx

Statement of Work GMUG National Forest Wildlife Acoustic Survey Equipment

FY24 TASK ORDER INFORMATION

Dated March 21, 2024

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

This equipment will be purchased and distributed to wildlife biologists at the Norwood and Ouray (west-zone), Grand Valley, Paonia, and Gunnison Ranger Districts. This equipment will enable biologists to: participate in the NABat Monitoring Program, determine bat and other species presence related to project level NEPA analysis, and meet wildlife monitoring needs related to the Forest Plan. This combination of equipment will allow each district to implement both mobile and stationary surveys for NABat as well as detect other audible species such as birds and frogs. This equipment will better enable biologists to conduct a more thorough analysis for projects.

We are looking to acquire equipment listed below from either Wildlife Acoustics or Titley Scientific. Either set of equipment would fulfill the needs of the wildlife biologists. We need either Wildlife Acoustic’s Song Meter Mini Bat Ultrasonic Recorder and the Acoustic Microphone Stub for Mini Family or Titley Scientific’s Chorus Recorder and the low-profile ultrasonic microphone.

Wildlife Acoustics

· Song Meter Mini Bat Ultrasonic Recorder

· https://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/products/song-meter-mini-bat

· Quantity Needed = 16

· The Song Meter Mini Bat Ultrasonic Recorder has comparable recording quality to the industry standard Song Meter SM4Bat, but the Song Meter Mini Bat costs $250 less than the Song Meter SM4Bat. The Song Meter Mini Bat can record in full spectrum or zero crossing, offering the ranges of sound recording necessary for our biologists’ survey needs. The Song Meter Mini Bat can record 25 ten-hour nights with 4 AA batteries and one SD card. It comes in a weatherproof case and can be easily mounted to a pole or tree. On its own, this recorder can record bats, but with an additional microphone attachment, the recorder can also record other wildlife species such as birds and amphibians.

· This piece of equipment is a base acoustic recorder and will allow for each district to participate fully in the NABat monitoring program by providing the ability for biologists to conduct stationary acoustic surveys.

· Acoustic Microphone Stub for Mini Family

· https://www.wildlifeacoustics.com/products/song-meter-mini-bat

· Quantity Needed = 16

· The Acoustic Microphone Stub can be attached to the Song Meter Mini Bat Recorder to allow for the recording of non-bat species such as birds and amphibians.

· This piece of equipment will greatly expand the monitoring capabilities of the base acoustic recorders by detecting non-bat species.

Titley Scientific

· Chorus Recorder

· https://www.titley-scientific.com/product/chorus/

· Quantity needed = 16

· The Chorus recorder comes with an acoustic microphone, making it capable of recording land based (non-bat) animals such as birds and amphibians. The recorder requires 4 AA batteries which allow it to record 350 hours of acoustic activity. With an additional purchase of the low-profile ultrasonic microphone, the Chorus can also record bat ultrasonic activity for 50 nights at a time. The Chorus can record in full spectrum or zero crossing, offering the ranges of sound recording necessary for our biologists’ survey needs. The Chorus has a built in GPS and temperature sensor. It is waterproof and can easily be mounted to a pole for field surveys. This recorder also comes with a free subscription to Insight, an acoustic analysis software provided by Titley Scientific.

· This piece of equipment, when combined with the low-profile ultrasonic microphone, will allow for each district to participate fully in the NABat monitoring program by providing the ability for biologists to conduct stationary or mobile ultrasonic bat surveys.

· Low-profile ultrasonic microphones

· https://www.titley-scientific.com/product/low-profile-ultrasonic-microphone/

· Quantity needed = 16

· The low-profile ultrasonic microphones can be attached to the Chorus recorder to allow for ultrasonic surveys of bat species.

· This piece of equipment is essential (in combination with the Chorus recorder) to allow for the surveying of bat species for the NABat monitoring program.

Location: This equipment can be acquired from Wildlife Acoustics. This order is for all wildlife programs across the GMUG National Forest. Once acquired equipment will be distributed to the West-zone, Grand Valley, Paonia, and Gunnison Ranger District. Equipment will be deployed at multiple survey and monitoring areas across the GMUG.

Contact Person: Luke Holguin, luke.holguin@usda.gov, 970-327-4261

Planned Contract Award Date: 06/01/2024 Planned Period of Performance End Date: 07/01/2024 Job Code/Override: NITXPD23/0204

AAP #: 662326

Equipment purchase is requested as soon as possible. Monitoring can begin as early as June through mid-August for bat species.