12FPC324Q0082 Attachment 1 Manual Snow Survey Contracts SOW 2024.pdf

Manual Snow Survey Contracts Statement of Work

Period of Performance: December 1, 2024 to November 30, 2029

PURPOSE:

To secure a contract with a non-government entity to perform manual snow surveys as part of the NRCS Snow Survey & Water Supply Forecasting program’s winter data collection efforts.

BACKGROUND:

Manual snow surveys have been an indispensable part of the NRCS’s snow data collection efforts since the early 1900’s. The surveys outlined in this description of work are essential for water supply forecasting, creating basin indices for snowpack assessment, and monitoring drought and flood potential.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Manual snow surveys are conducted at established snow course locations near the first day of each winter month from January to June. An established snow course is a transect of sample points (typically 5 to 20) at a permanent location in the mountains that represents snowpack conditions of a specific area. Surveyors will use a Federal Snow Sampler to measure snow depth and then weigh a sample of the snow to determine the snow water equivalent (SWE) at each sample point. The sample points at each course are defined on the official sketch maps for each snow course and are also marked with numbered signs either nailed in trees or marked by T-posts. Measuring a snow course usually requires 30 minutes at each snow course; travel time to and from a snow course varies and depends on the travel method used. In addition, deeper and/or denser snowpack’s may require a much longer time at a site to obtain snow samples.

There are two groups of snow course measurements that will be awarded as part of this contract. GPS coordinates, maps and snow sampling equipment will be provided to the contractor(s) upon award of the contract.

Butte Area Sites:

The Butte Area snow courses are located in the headwaters of the Boulder and Upper Clark Fork river drainages, near the Continental Divide, south and east of Butte, Montana. The snow courses to be measured are:

Basin Creek: Accessible by over snow machine.

Bull Mountain: Accessible by over snow machine.

Copper Mountain: Accessible by over snow machine. Located in a restricted access area. The key for opening the locked gate will be provided to successful bidder by NRCS.

Fish Creek: Accessible by over snow machine.

Fleecer Ridge: Accessible by over snow machine.

Moulton Reservoir: Accessible by over snow machine.

Nez Perce Camp: Accessible by over snow machine. Access is across private land; the landowner must be notified prior to each survey. Specific instructions will be provided to successful bidder by NRCS.

Pipestone Pass: Accessible by foot travel only (skis and snowshoes); approximately one mile over steep terrain.

Gold Creek Area Sites:

The Gold Creek Area snow courses are located in the Upper Clark Fork river drainage, northwest and northeast of Philipsburg, Montana. All snow courses are accessible by over snow machine. The snow courses to be measured are:

El Dorado Mine Intergaard Slide Rock Mountain

Sample Measurement Schedule for Butte & Gold Creek Area Sites:

Surveying Office Course/Site Ja n

Fe b

M ar

A pr

M ay

Ju ne

Butte Area - Contract Surveyors Bull Mountain X X X Basin Creek X X X X X Copper Mountain X X X X Fish Creek X X X X X Fleecer Ridge X X X Moulton Reservoir X X X X X Nez Perce Camp X X X X Pipestone Pass X X X X

Gold Creek Area - Contract Surveyors El Dorado Mine X X Intergaard X X X X Slide Rock Mountain X X X

Upon completion of the manual snow surveys the contractor will report the data to the Snow Survey Office in Bozeman, MT via email or phone. Email is the preferred method and the contractor will provide a scanned copy of the snow note form via email. If the phone the date of survey, average depth, & average water content information are required.

Email: MT-nrcs-snow@one.usda.gov

Original snow survey note forms must be mailed to Snow Survey Office even though information has been furnished by telephone or email. Note forms should be mailed to the following address:

USDA-NRCS Montana Snow Survey 10 East Babcock Street, Room 443 Bozeman, MT 59715

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

I. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL:

A. Provide all personnel and equipment necessary, with the exception of the Federal Snow Sampler, to conduct the surveys each month. Equipment includes but is not limited to; snowmobiles, skis or snowshoes, winter clothing and outerwear, compass and GPS unit, and safety equipment.

B. Conduct the manual snow surveys via over snow machine or skis/snowshoes in accordance with the annual snow survey schedule released by the NRCS in November of each season. The specific snow courses to be measured and the frequency of the measurements will be set by the official snow survey schedule.

C. Perform the surveys in the five business days prior to the first of each survey month, unless prevented by unsafe travel conditions. Suggested measuring dates are outlined in the snow survey schedule each season. Results will be submitted via email to the Snow Survey Office in Bozeman, MT by the first of each month.

i. The contractor is not relieved of survey responsibility due to mechanical problems or other non-weather related delays.

ii. In the event of a delay due to non-weather related obstacles, the contractor will notify the Snow Survey Office and complete the measurements as soon as possible after the scheduled dates.

iii. The contractor will be paid at a rate of 50 percent for any surveys that are not completed prior to the first of the month due to non-weather related delays.

iv. In the event of a delay due to weather, the contractor will notify the Snow Survey Office and complete the measurements as soon as possible after the scheduled dates.

v. In the event of an extended delay (four days past the last suggested survey date), weather related or not, the Data Collection Officer may extend the deadline for the surveys, request replacement surveys on a different date, or cancel the surveys for that month.

mailto:MT-nrcs-snow@one.usda.gov

vi. In the event surveys are canceled, the contractor will not receive payment for the missed surveys.

D. Collect snow course data using a Federal Snow Sampler in accordance with methods taught and practiced at the Westwide Snow Survey Training School and outlined in the Snow Survey Sampling Guide, Agriculture Handbook Number 169.

i. Persons performing snow surveys for the contractor, who have not previously completed training in snow sampling, are required to attend the Westwide Snow Survey Training School at the contractor's expense or successfully complete a training session provided by Snow Survey Staff prior to the first snow survey date.

ii. The Federal Snow Sampler will be used carefully and in accordance with the Snow Survey Sampling Guide to avoid damaging the sample set and skewing the data collected with it.

If any damage occurs or issues with the sample set are noted, the set will be returned as soon as possible to the Snow Survey Office in Bozeman, MT for maintenance and repairs.

E. Fill out the required Snow Survey Note Form for each snow course measurement while performing the snow sampling. Ensure that the note form is legible and filled out according to the procedures outlined in the Snow Survey Sampling Guide.

i. The contractor will calculate snow densities for each sample point as well as the total and average SWE and depth readings for the entire snow course while in the field.

ii. The contractor will scan and email the notes to Snow Survey Staff immediately after surveys are completed and before the 1st day of each month. Original snow note forms will be mailed to the Snow Survey office within the first week of each survey month.

II. THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE SHALL:

A. Provide snow sampling equipment including; Federal Snow Sampler and associated parts, official

Snow Survey Sampling Guide: Agriculture Handbook Number 169, Snow Survey Note Forms: NRCS Engineering Form 708, official sketch maps of the snow courses, calculator, & precise GPS coordinates of snow courses. Equipment will remain the property of NRCS and be returned to NRCS upon completion of this contract.

B. Provide snow sampling training and assistance in locating the snow courses. Requests for training and assistance locating sites may be requested prior to the first scheduled measurement after the contractor has been notified that they are the successful bidder. Costs for reconnaissance to locate sites will be borne by the contractor.