B08_Attachment 1 - Performance Work Statement_PWS_REV.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

FOR

MORRIS K. UDALL AND STEWART L. UDALL FOUNDATION (UDALL)

National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution

Third Party Science Neutral (TPSN) for the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP)

12/17/2024

REV_1 01/14/2025

REV_2 02/11/2025

PWS 2024003

1.0 SCOPE. This performance work statement (PWS) defines the requirements for the Contractor to provide non-personal services of a third party science neutral (TPSN) and an Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP), in close coordination with the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (MRRIC/Committee), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (collectively, the “lead agencies”), the Udall Foundation’s John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution (NCECR/National Center), a contracted facilitation team (Facilitation Team), and a contracted MRRIC Chair.

1.1 Background and Program Overview.

The MRRIC consensus-building process is a coordinated effort involving NCECR, a Facilitation Team, USACE, USFWS, and the contracted committee Chair (Chair), in addition to approximately 140 Committee members and their alternates. The Contractor for this effort (Contractor) will provide TPSN and ISAP services, in close coordination with the Committee, the lead agencies, the NCECR, facilitation team contractors, and MRRIC Chair contractor.

The Contractor will be required to establish and manage an ISAP for the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP), consistent with the document entitled, “MRRIC_ISAP Approach, Third Party Science Neutral Support to Establish an Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP) for the Missouri River Recovery Program,” which was approved by MRRIC on Thursday, May 24th, 2018 (hereafter referred to as “ISAP Engagement Strategy”). This document may be amended by MRRIC and amended versions will supersede the version referenced here.

The MRRP Integrated Science Program (ISP) works to ensure the quality, completeness, and application of scientific information upon which the MRRP is based. The ISP follows the Office of Management and Budget’s “Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review” (2005). This approach is also consistent with USACE’s civil works review policy guidance EC 1165-2-209. As part of ensuring that the ISP is based on sound science, the lead agencies and MRRIC require access to an independent source of scientific review, advice and recommendations to consult jointly as required.

In order to provide MRRIC and the lead agencies with high-quality, independent, and neutral scientific and technical analysis to support effective implementation of the MRRP’s Science and Adaptive Management Plan (SAMP), the Contractor, shall:

• Form an Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP);

• Manage ISAP operations; and

• Facilitate and coordinate development of ISAP work products.

The purpose of the ISAP is to provide independent scientific review, advice, and recommendations in relevant natural sciences, social sciences, and cultural resources to support effective science-based decision-making and direction-setting for the MRRP. As the MRRP implements its SAMP, areas in which ISAP input is likely to be needed include monitoring plans, monitoring and assessment results, research proposals, Adaptive Management (AM) implementation, program adjustments, and strategic plans. The ISAP may provide review, advice, and recommendations face-to-face and/or via webinar, telephone, written reports, memos, PowerPoint presentations, summaries of discussion at meetings, recorded verbal feedback, or panel-initiated written feedback. The Contractor will also be engaged on occasional webinars and conference calls, and in scientist-to-scientist discussions.

The “ISAP” refers collectively to: a) a standing panel; b) an ad hoc pool of panelists with additional types of expertise anticipated to be needed less frequently than the expertise on the standing panel; and c) new experts who can offer unanticipated types of expertise when needed.

2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS. The following documents are incorporated by reference to, and form a part of, this PWS. The Contractor is responsible for obtaining and abiding by the most current and approved versions of all applicable references listed with webpage links below. Revisions to the documents references below will supersede the version listed below. Any document referenced that does not contain an active weblink, is provided in hardcopy with this PWS.

a. General Committee roles are set forth in the MRRIC Charter and can be reviewed at: https://projects.ecr.gov/moriver/pdf/MRRICCharterFINAL1Jul2008.pdf.

b. MRRIC Operating Procedures:

https://projects.ecr.gov/moriver/pdf/FINAL_MRRICGOPGR.pdf.

c. Missouri River Recovery Program: Science and Adaptive Management Plan:

d. https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/8070.

e. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):

NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act - Overview of Laws and Regulations

f. Endangered Species Act: https://www.fws.gov/media/endangered-species-act

g. Missouri River Recovery Program Biological Opinion:

https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll3/id/670

h. USACE Structured Decision Making:

https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/bitstream/11681/34855/1/ERDC- EL%20SR-19-9.pdf https://projects.ecr.gov/moriver/pdf/MRRICCharterFINAL1Jul2008.pdf https://projects.ecr.gov/moriver/pdf/FINAL_MRRICGOPGR.pdf https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll7/id/8070 https://ceq.doe.gov/laws-regulations/laws.html https://www.fws.gov/media/endangered-species-act https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getfile/collection/p16021coll3/id/670 https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/bitstream/11681/34855/1/ERDC-EL%20SR-19-9.pdf https://erdc-library.erdc.dren.mil/jspui/bitstream/11681/34855/1/ERDC-EL%20SR-19-9.pdf

i. Federal Travel Regulations: Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) | GSA

j. USACE_MRRIC_ISAP Approach_FINAL_Approved 5-24-18: Third Party Science

Neutral Support to Establish an Independent Science Advisory Panel (ISAP) for the Missouri River Recovery Program Approved by MRRIC on Thursday, May 24th, 2018 (Attached).

3.0 TASKS. The following are tasks as they relate to this contract. Refer to section 10.0 of the PWS for travel requirements. The Tasks 3.1 – 3.6 shall be performed within each performance year. Section 3.7 describes optional tasks for each performance period. The contractor shall provide a monthly status report to the Government (CDRL A001). The following term is relevant to all tasks below: virtual (e.g. phone, MS Teams, Zoom, other virtual platform, etc.)

3.1 MRRIC TPSN-Attended Meetings

3.1.1 Post Plenary Debrief

The Contractor shall attend and participate in one (1) Lead Agency/Leadership Facilitation Team (LA/LFT) debrief meeting following the MRRIC plenary meeting (or its virtual equivalent). Each debrief meeting is anticipated to be approximately 1.5 hours and may occur in-person or virtually.

3.1.2 Lead Agency/Leadership Facilitation Team (LA/LFT) Meetings The Contractor shall attend and participate in up to six (6) virtual LA/LFT meetings. Each virtual meeting is anticipated to be approximately 1 hour in duration and may be held on different days or combined as needed. The Udall Foundation will notify the Contractor at least 30 days in advance when LA/LFT meeting participation is requested.

3.2 MRRIC Plenary Meetings

3.2.1 Work Group Meetings

The Contractor shall attend and participate in up to six (6) virtual work group meetings.

Each meeting is anticipated to be approximately two (2) hours in duration.

Anticipated work group meetings include one or more of the following groups: Bird Work Group, Fish Work Group, Human Considerations Work Group, Communications Work Group, Tribal Interests Work Group, Adaptive Management Work Group, and Membership, Process & Procedures Ad Hoc Group, Agenda Work Group, and Leadership / Facilitation Team (LFT). The TPSN shall attend and participate in all Agenda Work Group meetings, which are included within the 6 estimated meetings in this task.

3.2.2 TPSN Plenary Meeting

The TPSN shall participate, in person, at one (1) MRRIC plenary meeting. The plenary meeting is anticipated to be approximately 2.5 days in duration.

3.2.3 TPSN Plenary Consensus Meeting

The TPSN shall attend and participate in one (1) plenary consensus meeting, which is anticipated to be approximately two (2) hours in duration. The purpose of the meeting is to https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation-ftr obtain final consensus from MRRIC members on time-sensitive Committee recommendations.

3.2.4 ISAP Panelist Plenary Meeting

ISAP panelist attendance and participation is required for one (1) MRRIC plenary meeting.

One (1) panelist shall attend and participate, and the panelist shall have the expertise needed to participate given the specific meeting topic.

Assumptions:

• Panel size may vary if different disciplines are required. Attendance may be requested remotely, or in-person. If the government determines that more than 1 panelist is required for the plenary, an optional task will be utilized to fulfill the requirement.

3.3 Adaptive Management Workshop

The Adaptive Management Workshop (AMW) is expected to consist of:

Two all-MRRIC meetings (to orient attendees to the draft Adaptive Management

Compliance Report (AMCR)); and Three working sessions (one-each focusing on birds, fish/human considerations

(HC) issues in the lower river, and fish/HC issues in the upper river) at a single meeting. Each of these sessions is expected to encompass 6-8 hours of meeting time. This meeting is anticipated to occur, in-person, but may be changed to virtual.

If virtual, the three working sessions may be spread across multiple meetings, potentially across multiple dates.

3.3.1 TPSN Services

The TPSN shall attend and participate in the AMW meeting, including the two AMCR orientation meetings and the three working sessions. The TPSN shall be responsible for ensuring the relevant ISAP members understand the primary goals and expected outcomes of the meeting(s).

3.3.2 ISAP Panelist Services

All ISAP panelists shall attend and participate in the AMW meeting which is anticipated to take place in-person but may be changed to virtual. Panel members shall provide verbal feedback through participation at the workshop.

3.3.3 TPSN pre-AMW Meetings

The TPSN shall attend and participate in the pre-AMW meetings consistent with the process outlined in Section 2.0(j) above. The Contractor shall provide services for up to two (2) webinars, Work Group or Ad Hoc Group calls, and/or coordination calls with MRRIC facilitation team members and/or National Center staff. Each meeting is anticipated to be approximately two (2) hours in duration. The Contractor shall provide the following management services:

• Coordinate between various MRRIC entities (e.g., work groups) and the TPSN-ISAP in preparation for providing independent review / advice / recommendations tasks as appropriate.

• Assist in the framing of review question-related independent review / advice / recommendations tasks.

• Stay up to date on discussions in Work or Ad Hoc Groups that may inform ISAP review / advice / recommendations.

3.3.4 ISAP Pre-AMW Meetings

The Contractor shall provide services for two (2) pre-AMW meetings, anticipated to be approximately two (2) hours in duration, each. Historically, these events have been overviews of fish and bird-related elements of the Draft AMCR. All ISAP panelists, including experts from Bird, Fish, and Human Considerations, shall attend and participate in the four (4) hours of pre-AMW meetings.

3.4 Fall Science Meeting (FSM)

The Contractor shall provide services for one (1) Fall Science Meeting per year.

3.4.1 TPSN Fall Science Meeting (Virtual Team Meetings)

TPSN shall attend and participate in the FSM virtual team meetings, up to approximately 20 hours. The Virtual Team Meetings will provide the respective groups with an opportunity to follow-up on the FSM presentations, answer any outstanding questions, confirm key points to share at the MRRIC plenary, and explore key issues as necessary. The TPSN shall ensure that the ISAP panelists understand and adhere to the purpose of the meetings.

3.4.2 ISAP Panelists Fall Science Meeting (Virtual Team Meetings) All ISAP panelists (up to 7 panelists) shall attend and participate in up to 126 total hours of virtual team meetings (which may include Bird, Fish, and Human Considerations) will also occur in conjunction with the FSM. The Virtual Team Meetings will provide the respective groups with an opportunity to follow-up on the FSM presentations, answer any outstanding questions, confirm key points to share at the MRRIC plenary, and explore key issues as necessary. Panelists shall have the expertise needed to participate, given the specific meeting topic.

3.4.3 TPSN Fall Science Meeting

TPSN shall attend and participate in up to eighteen (18) hours of meetings for the FSM.

3.4.4 ISAP Fall Science Meetings

All ISAP panelists shall attend and participate in up to eighteen (18) hours of meetings for the FSM. Panelists shall have the expertise needed to participate, given the specific meeting topic.

3.5 Project/Contract Management

3.5.1 TPSN Management Services

The Contractor shall provide services for ongoing project and contract management for the following work, as needed. CDRL A004 applies to all meeting tasks. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 18 hours or less of services per month.

a) Coordination and preparatory calls with MRRIC Leadership and Facilitation Team member(s) and/or National Center, and/or Team/Work/Ad Hoc Groups, and other groups as needed and determined with the National Center.

b) Participation in Team/Work/Ad Hoc Group meetings to assist in framing scientific questions that, if answered, support effective MRRP implementation. The government will determine the meetings where participation is required.

c) As scheduled, attend and participate in project management calls with Udall Foundation staff. These are anticipated to occur approximately every other month for up to 1.5 hours.

d) Coordinate between various MRRIC entities (e.g., work groups) and the ISAP in preparation for providing independent review / advice / recommendations as appropriate.

e) Provide the ISAP with pertinent and/or relevant independent review / advice / recommendations of the ISAP on previous occasions for ISAP consideration in carrying out any given charge.

f) Schedule, coordinate, and facilitate ISAP deliberations in response to a charge.

3.6 Discuss and Feedback

Task 3.6.1 Manage ISAP Panelists for Discuss & Feedback Engagement Task

The contractor shall provide management for up to two (2) Discuss and Feedback activities. The contractor will be provided with a charge, which is a scientific question or set of questions. The contractor shall ensure that the ISAP (including ad hoc members) understands and remains focused on the question or questions. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section was approximately 20 hours or less per D&F activity total.

Task 3.6.2 ISAP Panelist Discuss & Feedback (D&F) The Contractor shall provide services, consistent with the process outlined in Section 2.0(j) above, for standing and/or ad hoc panelist(s) to conduct up to two (2) Discuss and Feedback activities. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 10 total hours or less per panelist. “Discuss & Feedback” engagements will typically occur (but are not limited to occurring) during the development of products (e.g., monitoring plans, models, new information evaluations) to allow for discussion, clarification, and initial reactions from the ISAP on general direction and progress. Discuss & Feedback activities may include but are not limited to: (1) Structured D&Fs, and (2) Small, Targeted, Informal D&Fs, including occasional participation of one or more ISAP members on selected Work Group, planning group, or team calls.

Each ISAP engagement task will have 2 deliverables associated with the task: (1) timely feedback on the draft charge (CDRL A005); and (2) 1 draft and 1 final written work product

(CDRL A006).

3.7 Task Options: In order to provide the best possible support for the requirement, the Udall Foundation may exercise Task Options throughout the base and each option performance period. Task Options will typically be exercised one at a time but may be combined to exercise more than one at the same time.

The paragraphs below provide a narrative of a single instance of a task option. Each task provides the estimated quantity for that task that can be exercised within the base performance period and each option period. The contractor shall initiate support within 14 – 21 days of a contract modification that obligates funding for the task(s).

Each optional task meeting, where the ISAP shall attend and participate, could require the expertise of the full standing panel, a subset of the standing panel, or a combination of standing panel and ad hoc panel members. As such, panel size will vary between tasks and will be identified upon exercise of the optional meeting task.

Task 3.7.1 Small Review

The contractor shall structure and manage participation of the ISAP (including standing and/or ad hoc panelists) in “Small” Reviews of identified scientific and/or technical topics (including review of documents provided and of relevant scientific literature, feedback, and advice). A Small Review may be substituted with a series of reviews that stay within the parameters of a Small Review as defined in the Assumptions below. The review topics will be identified/vetted by NCECR, Lead Agencies, contracted facilitation team, Work/Ad Hoc group POCs and members, and Chair (hereafter referred to as “Group”) and final review charges issued to the contractor by the Udall Foundation. The Contractor will be given an opportunity to review and respond to the draft charge(s). The Contractor shall prepare a draft and final report addressing all questions included in the charge (CDRL A002).

Up to 10 review questions may be included in each Small Review. Subparts of questions count as individual questions. Technical documents and specific product-related information for ISAP review total approximately 200 pages for the Small Review. Up to three conference calls may be needed to brief the draft report with the Group and could include an in-person briefing.

Assumptions:

• Small Review tasks may require the expertise of the full standing ISAP, a subset of the standing ISAP, or a combination of standing and ad hoc members.

As such, panel size will vary between different tasks as different disciplines are required. The contractor shall staff the ISAP with the expertise required by the small review tasks.

• NOTE: The draft report may be discussed with members of the Group on MRRIC Work/Ad Hoc Group or during MRRIC events such as the AM Workshop, FSM, and plenary meetings. Contractor participation in these discussions is captured in the relevant base tasks 3.1 – 3.6 of this PWS and, if exercised the options in tasks 3.7.5, 3.7.6, 3.7.8, 3.7.10, 3.7.11, 3.7.12, 3.7.13, 3.7.14, 3.7.15, 3.7.16, 3.7.17, and 3.7.18.

Task 3.7.1.1 TPSN Management of ISAP Small Review The Contractor shall provide TPSN management services for the participation of standing and/or ad hoc panelists in up to four (4) small reviews, including preparation for, facilitation of, and follow up to ISAP deliberation calls. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 60 total hours or less per small review.

Task 3.7.1.2 TPSN Management of Ad hoc Panelist(s) for Small Review The Contractor shall provide TPSN management services of an Ad hoc ISAP, up to four (4), for each small review. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 14 total hours or less per small review.

Task 3.7.1.2 ISAP Panelist Participation in Small Review - Engagement of standing or ad hoc members, for up to four (4), Small Reviews. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section has been approximately 40 hours or less per panelist.

• A Small Review may begin with an informational call/webinar including pertinent members of the Group. Supplemental information provided to the contractor, once the Small Review is underway, shall be included and/or acknowledged in the ISAP review product (CDRL A002).

• NOTE: One-to-one communications between panelists and members of the Group must adhere to pertinent guidelines in the ISAP Engagement Strategy.

Task 3.7.2 Large Review. The Contractor shall structure and manage the participation of standing and any ad hoc panelists in one (1) ISAP “Large” Review (including evaluation, feedback, and advice) of identified scientific and/or technical topics. At least one standing member with relevant expertise must be on the panel for the Large Review. The review topics will be identified/vetted by NCECR, Lead Agencies, contracted facilitation team, Work/Ad Hoc group POCs and members, and Chair (hereafter referred to as “Group”) and final review charges issued to the contractor by the Udall Foundation. The Contractor will be given an opportunity to review and respond to the draft charge(s).

The Contractor will provide the Udall Foundation with a draft report (CDRL A003). Up to six conference calls are anticipated to brief the draft report with the Group and could include an in-person briefing.

Assumptions:

• Large Review tasks may require the expertise of the full standing ISAP, a subset of the standing ISAP, or a combination of standing and ad hoc members. As such, panel size will vary as different disciplines are required.

• TPSN management of up to 20 hours for one ad hoc member may be requested under the contract.

• Engagement of standing or ad hoc members in a Large Review at a level of effort up to 560 total hours across all panelists may be required.

• Technical documents and specific product related information for ISAP review total approximately 350 pages for the Large Review.

• The Large Review may begin with an informational call/webinar including pertinent members of the Group. Supplemental information provided to the contractor, once the Small Review is underway, shall be included and/or acknowledged in the ISAP review product.

• NOTE: The draft report may be discussed with members of the Group on MRRIC Work/Ad Hoc Group or during MRRIC events such as the AM Workshop, FSM, and plenary meetings. Contractor participation in these discussions is captured in the relevant base tasks 3.1 – 3.6 of this PWS and, if exercised the options in tasks 3.7.5, 3.7.6, 3.7.8, 3.7.10, 3.7.11, 3.7.12, 3.7.13, 3.7.14, 3.7.15, 3.7.16, 3.7.17, and 3.7.18.

Task 3.7.2.1 TPSN Management of ISAP Panelists for Large Review – The Contractor shall structure and manage the participation of ISAP panelists (including standing and any ad hoc panelists) in one (1) ISAP “Large” Review, including evaluation, feedback, and advice. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 120 total hours or less per large review. Estimated Quantity – 1

Task 3.7.2.2 ISAP Panelist Participation in Large Review – Engagement of standing panelists and any ad hoc members for a large review. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section has been approximately 560 hours or less (completed in 80-hour increments).

• NOTE: One-to-one communications between panelists and members of the Group must adhere to pertinent guidelines in the ISAP Engagement Strategy.

Task 3.7.3 Manage ISAP Panelists for D&F Engagement Task

The Contractor shall provide services, up to four (4), in accordance with PWS Task 3.6.1.

Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 20 total hours or less per activity.

Task 3.7.4 ISAP Panelist Discuss & Feedback (D&F) The Contractor shall provide services, up to five (5), in accordance with Task 3.6.2.

Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 10 total hours or less per panelist.

Task 3.7.5 Work Group Meetings The Contractor shall coordinate and participate in two (2) work group meetings in accordance with PWS Task 3.2.1. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 18 total hours or less per meeting.

Task 3.7.6 Joint Work Group Meetings The Contractor shall participate in one (1) Joint Work Group meeting. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 18 total hours or less per meeting.

Task 3.7.7 Post Plenary Debrief

The Contractor shall participate in one (1) LA/LFT Debrief Meeting/Call in accordance with Task 3.1.1.

Task 3.7.8 LA/LFT Meetings The contractor shall participate in up to 12 additional LA/LFT calls, in accordance with Task 3.1.2.

Task 3.7.9 Filling Ad hoc or Standing Panel Vacancy (up to 4 panelists) In accordance with the process outlined in Section 2.0(j), the contractor shall, as determined by the government, implement a structured search process to fill subject matter vacancies on the panel when filling vacancies is necessary. The level of effort for filling one vacancy is expected to be up to 30 total hours. The contractor shall follow Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines for the selection of independent reviewers (http://www.ombwatch.org/files/regs/library/peerreview.pdf). The Contractor shall provide a proposed list of panelists for each position to the Udall Foundation (CDRL A007). MRRIC members, Lead Agencies, and National Center will have the opportunity to review and provide input on the proposed panelists to the Government, which will be limited to (1) any knowledge or experience with individual candidate(s); and (2) suggestions for questions to be asked of the candidate(s). The Contractor shall determine the extent to which it incorporates this input and shall make the final decision on choice of panelists representing the needed disciplines. Estimated Quantity – 4

Task 3.7.10 TPSN Plenary Meeting The Contractor shall attend and participate in, up to two (2), plenary meetings, in accordance with the tasks defined in Section 3.2.2.

Task 3.7.11 TPSN Webinar Plenary Meeting The Contractor shall attend and participate in, up to two (2), plenary consensus meetings, in accordance with the tasks defined in PWS Section 3.2.3.

Task 3.7.12 ISAP Panelist Attendance The contractor shall ensure all ISAP panelists attend and participate at the plenary in accordance with PWS Task 3.2.4. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 30 total hours or less per panelist.

Task 3.7.13 TPSN Fall Science Meeting The TPSN shall attend and participate in the FSM, one (1) meeting, in accordance with PWS Task 3.4.1. The Fall Science meeting is anticipated to occur over a 2-day period.

Task 3.7.14 ISAP Panelists’ Fall Science Meeting All ISAP panelists shall attend and participate in the Fall Science meetings. Panelists shall have the expertise needed to participate, given the specific meeting topic. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 20 total hours or less per panelist.

Task 3.7.15 TPSN One-Day Meeting The TPSN shall provide attendance and participate in, up to three (3), in-person or remote one-day meetings. These meetings are to occur in conjunction with a scheduled MRRIC in-person meeting. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 8 total hours or less per meeting.

Task 3.7.16 TPSN Half-Day Meeting The TPSN shall attend and participate in one (1) in-person or remote half-day meeting.

These meetings are to occur in conjunction with a scheduled MRRIC in-person meeting.

Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 4 total hours or less.

Task 3.7.17 ISAP Panelist One-Day Meeting All ISAP members shall attend and participate in one (1) in-person or remote one-day meeting. These meetings are to occur in conjunction with a scheduled MRRIC in-person meeting, and remote participation is assumed. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 8 total hours or less.

Task 3.7.18 ISAP Panelist Half-Day Meeting All ISAP members shall attend and participate in one (1) in-person or virtual half day meeting. These meetings are to occur in conjunction with a scheduled MRRIC in-person meeting, and remote participation is assumed. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 4 total hours or less.

Task 3.7.19 ISAP Panelist Attendance at MRRIC Orientation Webinar New ISAP members attend the MRRIC Orientation Webinar. These virtual meetings occur in advance of a scheduled MRRIC in-person meeting, and remote participation is assumed.

Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 4 total hours or less up to 7 instances.

Task 3.7.20 ISAP Panelist Attendance at Technical Briefings ISAP members shall attend and participate in technical briefings provided by Lead Agencies or the TPSN. These briefings serve to familiarize ISAP members with the specific issues, as well as familiarize members with past advice of the ISAP. Historically, the effort required for the services covered in this section have been approximately 4 total hours or less per briefing up to 14 instances.

4.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. Listed below are the performance standards for this contract requirement. These standards represent “Satisfactory” performance.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY TABLE

Performance Objective PWS Paragraph Performance Standard Project Management 3.0 Deliver Monthly Report within 10 business days following the end of each month of performance.

There are not more than two minor revisions to any deliverable, due to contractor error.

Knowledge of Substantive Issues

3.0 Government intervention to

correct Contractor’s understanding of substantive issues (e.g.

science related to the pallid sturgeon and piping plover), occurs not more than twice per MRRIC event or delivered report.

Timeliness and Responsiveness to Requests and Communications

3.0 Responds to all emails and

messages from the Government within 2 business days and advises Government of availability of all technical assigned personnel (TPSN/ISAP), if planning to be absent for more than one week.

5.0 DELIVERABLES: The contractor shall provide the following deliverables. Deliverables in electronic form shall be in the formats compatible with Microsoft office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. Documents and reports shall be delivered in electronic format, at a minimum, and in hard copy when requested in the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) (s). The documents shall be free from locks or protections that would prevent (or inhibit) text being copied or edited by the Government after delivery.

Written deliverables must be submitted electronically to the NCECR PM and COR by the due date specified in the CDRL(s). All titled vested in each of the following documents transfers to the Government upon acceptance of each deliverable.

CDRL CDRL

Number

Paragraph Reference

Schedule

Contractor's Progress, Status, and Management Report

A001 3.0 Within 10 business days following the end of each month of performance

Report – Small Review A002 3.7.1 4 weeks after receipt of materials Report – Large Review A003 3.7.2 4 weeks after receipt of materials

Member Participation List A004 3.5.1 10 days prior to each plenary meeting Discuss & Feedback (D&F) Charge A005 3.6.2 14 days after charge

Discuss & Feedback Written Work Product

A006 3.6.2 14 days after final meeting/call of ISAP engagement

Filling Ad Hoc Panelist Vacancies A007 3.7.9 As needed

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP) AND/OR INCIDENTAL PROPERTY.

6.1 There is no GFP on this contract.

7.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (CFE). The Contractor shall provide all equipment, materials, and items required to perform the requirements of this contract.

8.0 SECURITY. All Contractors in support of this contract must comply with these requirements.

8.1 Contractor Identification.

1. The Contractor must provide each of its employees who will be involved in the performance of the contract, on a government facility and in all meetings (at all locations), with an identification (ID) badge. The ID badge shall clearly display the contractor's name, the employee's name, and the agency contracted by (e.g. John Smith, ABC Corporation, Contractor for the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation). It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure that all contractor personnel wear the ID badge at all times when performing work under this contract. Unless otherwise specified in the contract, each contractor employee shall wear the ID badge in a conspicuous place on the front of their clothing and above their waist, except when safety or health reasons prohibit such placement.

2. Contractor personnel shall clearly identify themselves to all attendees as a contractor employee before the commencement of meetings with the Government, public, or other contractor personnel. Contractor personnel shall clearly and immediately identify themselves as a contractor employee when placing, answering or participating in telephone/video/virtual conversations with the Government, the public, or other contractor personnel.

3. When contractor personnel send e-mail messages, including documents and meeting summaries etc. from or to a Government-owned computer, they shall include a signature block that includes their employer's name, and the employee's full name and e-mail address, as well identify themselves, and all other named contractors, as a Contractor for the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation.

4. Each of the requirements set forth in paragraphs 1-3, above must be included in all subcontracts at any tier.

9.0 PLACE AND PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

9.1 Place of Performance. The place of performance will be at the contractor’s facility, with specified travel to Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, Colorado and/or Oregon. See Section 10.0 Travel for more details about travel requirements.

9.2 Period of Performance. The period of performance will be one (1) base year from date of contract award. Up to four (4) option years periods of performance may be exercised.

10.0 TRAVEL. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain all necessary travel documents to execute travel as required. The Contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-46 and the limitation of funds specified in this contract. Local travel costs are not authorized.

The Contractor may be authorized travel to the following locations in fulfillment of the tasks specified in this PWS:

Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, Colorado and Oregon.

11.0 MATERIALS/OTHER DIRECT COSTS (ODCs).

Materials and ODCs may include items such as cell phone agreements, meeting room rental, meeting materials, printing, shipping, etc.

12.0 PERSONNEL.

12.1 KEY PERSONNEL. Certain skilled/experienced professional and/or technical personnel are essential for successful Contractor accomplishment of the work to be performed under this contract. The proposal should identify individuals as "key personnel."

The Contractor agrees key personnel shall not be removed from the contracted work or replaced without compliance with the following:

a. If one or more of the key personnel for whatever reason becomes, or is expected to become, unavailable for work under this contract for a continuous period exceeding 30-calendar days or is expected to devote substantially less effort to the work than indicated in the proposal as initially anticipated, the Contractor shall promptly notify the Government Contracting Officer and shall promptly replace such personnel with personnel of at least substantially equal ability and qualifications.

b. All requests for substitutions must be in writing and provide a complete resume for the proposed substitute. All names shall be redacted from the resume. The Contracting Officer or their authorized representative will review such requests and promptly notify the Contractor with any Government comments on the substitution, in writing.

12.2 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATIONS. Minimum qualification includes the following:

In order to form and manage the ISAP and ISAP operations, and to facilitate and coordinate development of ISAP work products, the TPSN must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):

• Project management KSAs – as needed to ensure that the ISAP products address all charge requirements, are thorough and understandable, and are delivered on time.

• Scientific KSAs – as needed to: a) review ISAP products and ensure that they reflect high-quality, neutral scientific and technical analysis responsive to the charge under which ISAP products are delivered; b) understand the ISAP’s scientific analyses and discussions and pose questions and suggestions that add value to the ISAP’s deliberations; and c) provide ISAP with past ISAP advice and input on topics related to a new charge.

• Facilitation KSAs – as needed to effectively and impartially: a) lead ISAP discussions; and b) represent the ISAP at MRRIC forums (including when and to whom it is most appropriate to convey the ISAP’s advice, questions, and/or concerns).

The Contractor shall select panelists for the ISAP that represent a broad spectrum of scientific expertise within their respective disciplines (including adequate institutional knowledge of the MRRP knowledge of Natural resource management programs based upon the principle of adaptive management for at least 2 panelists) and that have established high-caliber credentials, including, but not limited to:

1. Wide recognition by peers for expertise in their field;

2. Strong publication record or record of science or social science leadership;

3. Willingness to participate with objectivity and professionalism;

4. Track record of fair and unbiased, yet constructive, criticism;

5. Ability to function within a team and an interdisciplinary setting;

6. High standard of professional integrity, independence, and objectivity; and

7. Demonstrated ability to forge creative solutions to address identified topics or problems.

Additionally, when selecting panel members, the Contractor shall comply with the National Academy of Science’s “Policy and Procedures on Committee Composition and Balance and Conflicts of Interest for Committees Used in the Development of Reports” (2003) and the Office of Management and Budget’s “Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review”

(2005). The Contractor shall ensure that the panel members (collectively) are qualified and demonstrate:

1. Expertise -- varied knowledge, experience and skill.

2. Balance -- a diversity of scientific perspectives; and

3. No conflict of interest -- no financial or other interest that impairs the panel’s objectivity or gives an unfair competitive advantage to a person or organization.

The Contractor shall recognize and provide clear direction to prospective panel members that the independent advice/reviews required are scientific or technical in nature, that consensus recommendations are within the purview of the MRRIC members, and that decision-making and policy interpretation are the responsibilities of the Lead Agencies after consideration of any consensus recommendations from MRRIC.

The ISAP shall include a standing panel of up to seven members, whose expertise may be supplemented, when needed for a specific task, by drawing upon ad hoc panelists as described above. It is possible that an individual member may fulfill more than one of the areas of expertise below, with the intent to achieve an efficient approach to the panel.

Several Panel members should have experience in the science and application of natural resource Adaptive Management programs within their area of disciplinary expertise.

Standing panel members are expected to follow MRRIC’s deliberations and maintain and familiarity with the relevant material and MRRIC considerations.

The general disciplines of expertise on the standing panel shall include the following areas of science as described below. It is possible that an individual member may fulfill more than one of the areas of expertise below. Several panel members shall have experience in the science and application of natural resource Adaptive Management programs within their area(s) of disciplinary expertise.

1. Large River Ecology/Conservation Biology. Expertise in some or all of the following: energy-flow dynamics; flora and fauna community assemblages (including aquatic invertebrates); water quality (including contaminants), river-floodplain interactions; knowledge of bio-physical drivers and processes, threats to biodiversity and preserving the biologic and genetic diversity of native biota with an emphasis on large river organisms; conservation, restoration and recovery at the species, community and ecosystem scales.

2. Large River Hydrology/Geomorphology. Expertise in some or all physical dynamics and processes of large rivers and associated landforms; hydrology, eco-hydraulics, sediment dynamics/transport, and hydrologic-hydraulic modeling.

3. Sturgeon Biology/Ecology. Expertise in some or all Scaphirhynchus sturgeon population dynamics and/or other North American riverine sturgeons; ecological threats to sturgeons; sturgeon habitats and their use; current understanding of life-history needs (including age-0); population augmentation, genetic integrity and status of populations and productivity within the pallid sturgeon’s range.

4. Quantitative Ecology/Statistical Methods. Expertise in some or all biostatistical methods, experimental design, decision analysis, analytical tools, and the interpretation of ecological data sets; mathematical modeling; presentation of complex analyses for decision makers.

5. Resource Economy/Sociology. Expertise in some or all of the following:

monetizing goods and services, including social and ecosystem values, understanding quantitative tools for comparing diverse interests (including, but not limited to: agriculture, navigation, hydropower production, municipal and industrial water uses, Tribal concerns, outdoor recreation, etc.) and alternatives to meet those interests, and the study of social behaviors in relation to complex river systems.

6. Tribal Cultural Knowledge. Expertise in some or all Traditional Cultural Properties (TCPs), traditional ecological knowledge, cultural resource management, and natural resource management, specifically water.

7. Piping Plover Expertise. Expertise in some or all piping plover population dynamics (including source-sink metapopulations); ecological threats; habitat, energy, and security requirements; and status of population and productivity within the Great Plains population of piping plovers.

Ad hoc panel members(s) may be added to the standing panel or managed as a separate ad hoc panel as needed, and as funding permits, to provide expertise not represented by standing panel members for a particular review/advisory topic or subset of issues related to the topic under review. Disciplines whose expertise may be needed during the performance of this contract on an ad hoc basis is expected to include, but are not limited to:

1. Fish conservation genetics.

2. Water quality- aquatic contaminants.

3. Collaborative adaptive management and decision analysis of natural resources.

4. Commodity economics.

5. Recreation economics.

6. Energy economics.

7. Transportation economics.

8. Riverine larval fish dispersion;

9. Flood and drought risk analysis; and

10. The interior population of least tern

The need for additional expertise may be identified as questions are developed to be considered by the standing panel, or by the Contractor in assembling panelists to respond to a particular charge.

The Contractor will facilitate selection of panel chairs, all panel deliberations, external panel interaction, and product preparation and dissemination.

13.0 QUALITY CONTROL (QC). QC shall be performed in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) to ensure that the standards outlined in paragraph

4.0 of this PWS are met. The Government Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) is provided separately as a reference/informational. It is noted that the QASP is not a part of the contract, nor is it intended to duplicate the Contractor’s QCP.

14.0 Service Contract Reporting (SCR). Contractors are required to report on manpower functions and costs under services contracts. The contractor will ensure that this requirement is reported in the Service Contract Reporting tool within System for Award Management (SAM.gov) pursuant to FAR 52.204.14.