3_SOW_2025_Fuels_Woodland_Raptor_Surveys_Gunnison.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Woodland Raptor Surveys BLM Gunnison Field Office Hinsdale and Gunnison, Counties, CO June – August 2025

Contents

SECTION A – DESCRIPTION – STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

A.1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

A.1.1 – Project Objectives Description of Work: Furnishing labor, equipment, supplies, and materials, the contractor shall complete raptor surveys for woodland raptors in the Gunnison Field Office. The survey area is approximately 16,367 acres with 1,669 raptor call stations. All work shall be according to the Statement of Work, attached protocol, and survey maps.

A.1.2 – Location of Project Location: Work under this Contract is located throughout the Gunnison Field Office. The survey locations are shown on the maps provided.

See attached maps.

A.1.3 – Scope of Contract The Contractor shall provide all materials and labor to conduct woodland raptor surveys and record gps tracks and locations. Data deliverable requirements include:

· GPS tracks of nest searches for all positive call responses;

· GPS call locations and data attributes for all locations (see point data survey requirements table); and

· nest locations, photos, and completed nest data forms.

All GIS data needs to be provided in the form of an ESRI .shp file projected to UTM NAD 83 Zone 13. The contractor will provide data forms for all call points and nest locations in paper and/or electronic formats (excel, word, or PDF). Nest site photos need to be electronic .jpg or .tiff files.

A.1.4 – Description of Work The project will conduct broadcast call surveys and nest searches for raptors, focusing on woodland raptors, following BLM Gunnison Field Office survey protocols. Record all observations and nests of any raptors, including owls.

A.1.5 – Contract Period Work cannot be started until June 15 and all field surveys will need to be completed by August 15, 2025. Survey timing and species requirements are specified in the survey protocol (Appendix C.1). Reports must be submitted to the COR by August 31, 2025.

A.1.6 – Definitions CO – Contracting Officer COR – Contracting Officers’ Representative COR/PI - either the COR or the PI PI – Project Inspector

A.2 – TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

A.2.1 – BLM Will Furnish or Provide the Following

1. Maps of survey call points with a table of coordinates.

2. Wildlife Survey Protocols

3. Pre-Bid Teams Meeting:

Location: Gunnison -- Hinsdale and Gunnison Counties, Colorado See attached maps.

4. A pre-work conference with the contractor awarded the job. Conduct on-site inspections by the PI/COR.

A.2.2 – Contractor Shall Furnish

1. Any and all necessary parts, supplies, labor, and equipment to conduct broadcast surveys and identify woodland raptors.

2. Survey technicians that have experience detecting and identifying Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, and American Goshawks by sight and sound. Technicians must also be able to determine if other birds (such as jays) are mimicking woodland raptor calls. Transportation for survey technicians to and from the site must be provided by the contractor.

3. A “Contractors authorized representative” proficient in the English language, on site at all times when working.

A.2.3 – Access Access is provided along county roads to various locations throughout the Field Office.

A.2.4 – Operations Plan The Contractor shall submit a plan of operations to the COR for approval. The plan shall include survey dates, estimated time of completion by project area, and names of field personnel conducting surveys. Prior to the commencement of operations, the Contractor shall obtain from the COR written approval of the operations plan. The Contractor will submit the plan for approval at least three weeks prior to starting field work. The COR will respond within 5 business days of receiving the operation plan with approval or a list of defects.

Work must be done in a systematic and logical manner as prescribed in the operations plan.

A.2.5 – COR/PI

Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Nathaniel West nwest@blm.gov Cell (970) 749-1809 29211 Highway 184 Dolores, CO 81323

Gunnison Project Inspector (PI) Andrew Stokes astokes@blm.gov

(970) 642-4944 2500 E New York Ave.

Gunnison, CO 81230

A.2.8 – Fire Stipulations A.2.8.1. Fire Period and Closed Season The contractor will comply with the BLM Gunnison Field Office fire restrictions at the time the surveys are being conducted.

A.2.8.2. – Substitute Measures The Contracting Officer Representative may by written notice authorize, substitute measures or equipment or may waive specific requirements during periods of low fire danger.

A.2.8.3. – Emergency Measures The Bureau of Land Management may require emergency measures, including the necessary shutting down of equipment or portions of operations in the project area during periods of fire emergency created by hazardous climatic conditions or when the implementation of Fire Restrictions require.

A.2.8.5. – Compliance with State Forest Laws Listing of specific fire precautionary measures herein is not intended to relieve the Contractor in any way from compliance with the State Fire Laws covering fire prevention and suppression equipment, applicable to operations under this contract, permit, or license.

A.2.14 – Injuries and Damange The Contractor, in her/his operations under this contract, shall not do or omit to do anything by which act or omission any person or property may be injured or damaged and shall indemnify and save the United States harmless from any claim, demand, action, or damages on account of any personal injury or property damage arising by reason of anything done or omitted to be done by the Contractor, his contractors, subcontractors, or the employees of any of them.

A.2.15 – Simultaneous Use of Area If the CO or Field Office Manager determines that other uses of the contract area will not seriously interfere with the operations of the Contractor, he may issue permits, leases, or contracts for the simultaneous use of the contract area by others.

A.2.17 – Status Report Provided an onsite visit has not occurred during the period, the contractor is required to report status of work once a week or when any special situations or problems are encountered. These reports may be made by telephone (voice or text) to the PI/COR or through email. Prior to starting work in an area, the Contractor will contact the Project Inspector for that Field Office. In the event of extreme weather, the Contracting Officer will determine the best course of action based on comments from both the Contractor and PI/COR.

The contractor will provide a GPS track log for nest searches completed within 5 business days of completion of an area.

All nest forms and photos will be submitted to the COR within 5 business days of completion of an area.

A.3 – CONTRACTOR QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION SYSTEM

The Contractor shall propose and adopt a quality control inspection system to ensure that the work is progressing in compliance with specifications. The quality control inspection system will be included in the plan of operations. Complete records of all inspection work performed by the Contractor shall be maintained and made available to the Government during the contract performance.

A.4 – GOVERNMENT INSPECTIONS

The Government will make periodic inspections as a basis for payments and recommendations for adjustments in work quality while work is in progress.

Nest searches are required for all positive call responses. After receiving a report of positive call responses and track logs from the Contractor, the BLM may inspect the area and verify nest search results. Should the BLM identify a nest that the contractor missed, the BLM will meet with the Contractor to discuss circumstances. Depending on the situation, the Contractor may be required to coach, retrain, or remove field personnel conducting the surveys. Resurvey of the area may also be required, at the contractor’s expense.

A.5 – ACCEPTANCE

A.5.1 – Unit Basis Work will be accepted or rejected on completion of the project.

A.7 – PAYMENT

Payment will be based on the Government's inspection results. The Contractor's inspection results are to be used as a guide for the Contractor's use in complying with contract specifications and not as a basis for payment. Payment will be made once all work has been completed, inspected, and accepted by the Government.

SECTION B - SPECIAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

B. 1 – KEY PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall assign to this contract key personnel that may include the following.

• CONTRACTOR REPRESENTATIVE (Company representative)

• FOREMAN (field crew leader)

• Crew members B.1.2 – Substitutions The Contractor shall make no substitutions of key personnel without notifying the Contracting Officer within a reasonable timeframe and in advance and shall submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on the contract. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the persons being replaced.

· The Contractor shall make no diversion of key personnel without the written consent of the Contracting Officer.

· The contract will be modified to reflect any approved changes of key personnel.

· The Contractor's contractor representative shall be fully conversant in the English language.

B.2 – PREWORK CONFERENCE

Prior to commencement of work, the Contractor shall attend a meeting to discuss the contract terms, work performance requirements, and safety. At this meeting such items as work progress schedule, quality control, camping/worksite plan, and fire prevention plans shall be finalized in writing.

B.3 – SAFETY PLAN

The Contractor shall prepare a Safety Plan that addresses the specific hazards of the work site and shall include working in areas of falling debris. The Contractor shall identify the specific conditions that she/he considers is a hazard. The Safety Plan shall also address the personal protective equipment and mitigating measures the Contractor will employ to increase safety on the worksite. Additionally, a plan of action for an emergency event shall be included in the Safety Plan.

SECTION C – LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

C.1 –Survey Protocol

SURVEY PROTOCOL FOR PRESENCE OF

WOODLAND RAPTORS

In order to adequately protect and manage these species, it is imperative we determine accurate inventory and monitoring procedures. This procedure is designed to aid in the determination of the presence of American Goshawks and facilitate understanding of current population densities within the Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office.

BROADCAST SURVEY PROTOCOL (BLM Technical Note 435)

Seasonal Timing

A minimum of two visits to a survey area should be conducted. A reasonable amount of time (7 to 10 days) should elapse between surveys done at a particular site.

Gunnison Field Office 1st Survey: June 15 – July 15 (Nestling stage): broadcast call (American Goshawk) 2nd Survey: July 16 – August 15 (Fledgling): broadcast call (American Goshawk)

Daily Timing

Conduct surveys from ½ hour before sunrise until sunset. Surveys should not be conducted if the wind exceeds 15 miles/hour.

Locations of survey points

Stations should be set up 200 m apart on transects which are 100 m apart. Also, stations along adjacent transects are offset by 100 m.

Locating the nest

If a raptor is heard or seen during the call-playback sequence, the surveyor will cease broadcasting and record the bearing of the detected raptor. If the raptor is detected aurally, the surveyor will mentally note the approximate distance the bird was first aurally detected. The surveyor will then move in the direction of the call or visual observation and GPS the approximate location where the call or visual observation was detected. This area will be intensively surveyed for active and/or alternate nests.

Survey the area within a 300-meter radius of the sighting/detection on 30 meter transects. Surveyors will search for signs of nesting and nests. If an active nest if found, record the location and leave the area. A 402-meter buffer will be placed around the nest and survey will continue outside the buffer. If no active nest is found but Goshawk feathers are found, a follow-up survey of suitable habitat surrounding the site (min. 300-meter radius) should be conducted 1 to 2 weeks after the initial survey to locate the active nest.

Conducting the Survey

Broadcasting considerations

- If the wind exceeds 15 miles/hour, the trial should not be conducted (see Table 1 for estimating wind speed).

- While conducting broadcasts, it is important to be aware of mimicry by Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) and gray jays (Perisoreus canadensis).

- Minimize topographical interference with sound waves and maximize sound projection.

- In order to minimize disturbance, DO NOT broadcast during courtship.

- The adult alarm call is best used during nesting stage (June 15 – July 15), while the juvenile begging or wail call should be used during the fledgling stage (July 16 – August 15).

Broadcasting

- While walking transects and approaching stations, observer should be scanning the area visually as well as listening.

- Observer should also be scanning area by sight and sound throughout the broadcast.

- Following is the procedure to follow upon arrival at each station:

1. Start Goshawk Call (in suitable habitat)

2. Broadcast at 60 degrees for 10 seconds

3. Look and listen for 30 seconds

4. Broadcast at 180 degrees for 10 seconds

5. Look and listen for 30 seconds

6. Broadcast at 300 degrees for 10 seconds

7. Look and listen for 30 seconds

8. Repeat this sequence one more time

- Calls shall be broadcast with an output of 100-110 dB one meter from source.

- Territory is considered occupied if observer(s) hear and/or see adults on or near nest and/or see evidence of nest construction, especially green on rim of nest.

- GPS location of call, record date/time, habitat type, response, wind speed, weather, individual conducting survey, and other comments as appropriate.

C.2 – Nest Data Form Raptor Nest Location Data Form

Observer(s):

Survey Date:

Species:

Status1:

Photo Information (#, ID, bearing, etc.):

Notes:

1Status: Occupied, Unoccupied, Unknown 2Nest Condition: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor

SOW – BLM GFO Contract AGOS Surveys 2025

C.3 – Point Survey Data Requirements

1Point ID = Survey point number 2X and Y Coordinates = vary by point, all coordinates are required to be reported in UTM NAD 83 Zone 13.

3Time = Time call started 4Detection Type =

· SWW = Single patch of whitewash

· MWW = Multiple patches of whitewash

· SPR = Single prey remains (single prey item)

· MPR = Multiple prey remains (as in plucking post)

· SMF = Single molted feather from goshawk

· MMF = Multiple molted feathers from goshawk

· SGOS = Silent visual detection of goshawk

· VGOS = Vocal detection of goshawk

· BGOS = Both vocal and visual detection of goshawk

· OSN = Inactive stick nest—goshawk characteristics

· ANY = Active goshawk nest with young

· ANF = Active nest with young already fledged 5Distance = Distance in meters to response received 6Bearing = bearing in degrees to detection 7Species = AGOS (American Goshawk), COHO (Cooper’s Hawk), SSHA (Sharp-shinned Hawk) 8Number_Age = Number and age class of bird(s) detected

· A = Adult

· J = Juvenile

· N = Nestling

· U = Unknown

· E.g., “1A, 2J” would mean that one adult and two juveniles were observed 9Nest Located = when a woodland raptor is detected, did nest searches identify a nest site? Yes/No.