A02_12__PWS_Steelhead_Surveys_LAR_06052025_1.pdf

Attachment 0001

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Lower American River Monitoring Spawning and Stranding Surveys

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Requiring Agency

Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) 7794 Folsom Dam Road Folsom, CA 95630

The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is to manage, develop and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American people. Reclamation was issued a Biological Opinion (BiOp) and Reasonable and Prudent Measures (RPMs) as per a formal consultation on the Coordinated Operations of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, October 21, 2019) in accordance with Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

The following PWS outlines work to support efforts by Reclamation to maintain compliance with the NMFS BiOp and RPMs, consistent with the February 2020 Record of Decision (ROD) for the Coordinated Long-Term Operations of the CVP and SWP, as it relates to the fisheries monitoring requirements for the Lower American Division, which includes spawning surveys and surveys for monitoring.

The Contractor shall obtain all field data required by Reclamation to remain in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and directives for the protection and monitoring of Central Valley steelhead in the Lower American River. This data will support operational decision making. The term of this firm-fixed contract shall be a base with four option years for a potential five years with annual renewals at the discretion of Reclamation.

2.0 BACKGROUND, SCOPE and OBJECTIVES

2.1 Background

The American River Basin Development Act of October 14, 1949 (63 Stat. 852) authorized the construction of Folsom and Nimbus Dams as part of the Central Valley Project (CVP). The Nimbus Hatchery was included as part of the mitigation developed in consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for construction of Nimbus Dam pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of August 14, 1946 (60 Stat. 1080) that directs “Federal Agencies authorized to construct or operate water-control projects….to add to the structures and operations of such projects….in order to accommodate the means and measures for such conservation of wildlife resources as an integral part of such projects.”

NMFS found in its 2009 BiOp (NMFS 2009) that the most influential baseline stressor to steelhead within the American River Division is the presence of Nimbus and Folsom Dams, which block steelhead from much of their historic spawning and rearing habitat.

The American River Division facilities (Folsom and Nimbus Dams and associated facilities) provide for the conservation and management of water on the American River for flood control, fish and wildlife protection, recreation, protection of the Delta from intrusion of saline ocean water, irrigation and M&I water supplies, and hydroelectric power generation.

2.2 Objective

The objective of this project is to provide field support, data analysis and equipment to conduct spawning and stranding surveys as addressed in this PWS in order to support technical evaluations of progress towards the lower American River monitoring requirements.

Included in this objective is a need to:

- Plan and organize for the safe conduct of field studies;

- Collect and perform quality assurance of the appropriate field data;

- Prepare interim updates and report on project progress; and,

- Compile and create electronic databases necessary to analyze data collected for inclusion to reports (end of survey and end-of-season).

2.3 Project Scope

The Contractor shall furnish a seasonal work crew, on an annual basis, comprised of one fisheries biologist, one fisheries technician (GIS competency), and the necessary field support staff to survey for redds (January until approximately mid-April) within a 12.9 mile reach of the lower American River between Nimbus Dam and the Watt Avenue Bridge.

Crews must possess the following skills related to conducting spawning and stranding/isolation pool surveys:

• Planning

• Organizing (logistics)

• Conducting studies

• Collection of data

• Compilation of data at conclusion of each survey

• Analyzing field studies (map compilation, etc.)

• Final report

It is important to note that late-fall Chinook salmon have been increasingly using the Lower American River. Therefore, monitoring redds during these months will require extra attention by survey crews to distinguish between late-fall run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. In addition, potential overlap in the spawning times of steelhead, lamprey, suckers and pikeminnow also require attention when identifying fish species.

The Contractor shall also designate a Project Coordinator who shall be the primary point of contact with Reclamation’s Contracting Officers Representative (COR) on all matters related to scheduling, invoicing, and technical matters. The Contractor shall participate in project coordination activities.

The scope of work for the base year and each successive option year is identical and includes a Planning Phase, Data Collection Phase, and Data Compilation Phase. The term of the contract shall be for five years. The Contractor shall work along with Reclamation personnel who may participate in the survey activities. Any necessary regulatory permits for handling of listed species in conjunction with this survey work will be the responsibility of the Contractor.

The Contractor shall furnish the work crew with the equipment necessary to conduct the surveys including safety equipment for use during the data collection phase. A list of equipment historically used, for reference only, is provided in Appendix One of this document.

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Project Management

The Contractor shall designate a Project Coordinator who shall be the primary point of contact with Reclamation’s Contracting Officers Representative (COR) on all matters related to scheduling, invoicing, and technical matters. The Contractor’s Project Coordinator shall participate annually in a pre-work orientation meeting with Reclamation to review anticipated work schedules, develop/confirm communication protocols, and discuss any other matters of potential importance to contract performance.

The Contractor’s Project Coordinator shall participate annually in a mid-project review (Mid-February) with the COR for the primary purpose of evaluating the actual and projected resource requirements needed to obtain acceptable field data quality and to communicate any adjustments to resource use due to antecedent biological and physical conditions. The Contractor’s Project Coordinator shall also participate in an annual close-out meeting to conduct a review and demonstrate that all project requirements have been met and to make recommendations for the conduct of future surveys and process based on lessons learned during that years’ data collection phase.

The Contractor shall provide a seasonal work crew, on an annual basis, comprised of one fisheries biologist and one fisheries technician at a minimum, to assist in planning, organizing, conducting, and analyzing field studies necessary to conduct monitoring in the Lower American River.

The Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment for the support of the spawning and stranding/isolation pool surveys on the Lower American River.

The Contractor shall meet with the Reclamation, as needed, on a monthly basis throughout the duration of the project to report on project progress and review task milestones. The Contractor shall facilitate these meetings, provide meeting agendas, develop presentation materials describing project progress, and prepare meeting summary notes.

The Contractor shall provide an initial Communication Plan within 1 week after the pre-work orientation meeting. The content of the Communications Plan shall define specific communication expectations, outcomes, personnel involved, methods, and timing of communication. The Contractor shall review and update the plan annually based on prior experience or lessons learned from prior or other similar efforts.

Task 3.1 Deliverables

1. Work plan and schedule, updated monthly

2. Monthly invoice and progress reports

3. Meeting minutes, agendas, materials

4. Communication Plan

5. Results of Pre-Work Orientation Meeting, Mid-Project Review, Annual Close Out Meeting, Lessons Learned meetings

3.2 Annual Planning and Mobilization Phase

During the Planning and Mobilization Phase, the Contractor shall ensure that the Fisheries Biologist understands the field methods, data collection needs, analytical approach, and Safety Plan. The Contractor shall prepare the Safety Plan, organize and obtain equipment, prepare field data sheets, and update the Data Quality Control Plan.

The Contractor shall ensure project objectives are met. The content of the Safety Plan shall identify potential safety hazards, define hazard prevention and minimization methods, and include safety contact information.

The Contractor shall prepare a Data Quality Control Plan based on prior experience and/or lessons learned from prior or other similar efforts. The content of the Data Quality Control Plan shall include data collection, management and reporting protocol; as well as data quality assurance and quality control protocol. The Safety and Data Quality Control Plan will be completed and reviewed by the COR prior to Data Collection phase.

For Option Year One through Option Year Four, the Annual Planning and Mobilization Phase will typically begin in mid-November. During the base year, this phase will begin on task order award date.

Task 3.2 Deliverables

1. Safety Plan

2. Data Quality Control Plan

3. Documentation showing coordination and review for adequacy of the plans from

Reclamation

3.3 Data Collection Phase

During the Data Collection Phase, the Contractor shall ensure that the Fisheries Biologist and work crew safely conduct field surveys based on the Safety Plan, organize and schedule needed contractor resources, collect and record data based on the Data Quality Control Plan, and prepare monthly reports as described below. The Data Collection Phase activities will typically begin in early January.

The Contractor shall ensure that the Fisheries Technician and work crew can begin work in January and work through May. The work crew shall work seasonally as part of a team to accurately collect the field data required to estimate the number of Central Valley steelhead (CVSH) spawning in the Lower American River. The Contractor shall compile and enter data into the appropriate databases needed to complete the analysis.

The Contractor shall submit bi-weekly reports during the data collection phase (January through April-likely, possibly through May) containing information on the use of project resources, general biological status of the CVSH population in the river, any noteworthy events related to the field studies and a forecast of project activities for the next monthly reporting period to the COR. The Contractor will also attend monthly American River Group (ARG) meetings via phone to provide a summary of monthly survey results to Reclamation and American River stakeholders.

Task 3.3 Deliverables

1. Bi-weekly CVSH Spawning surveys (to map redd locations)

2. CVSH stranding and isolation pool surveys (no more than two times per month)

3. Populated Databases

3.4 Data Compilation Phase

During the Data Compilation Phase, the Contractor shall compile field data, conduct final quality assurance of data, populate electronic databases with all data collected, and prepare the annual report. Individual CVSH redds will be surveyed with data logging GPS units (waypoint averaging will be used to attain sub-meter accuracy). GPS waypoints and associated data-dictionaries (containing the physical redd characteristic data) will be imported to ArcGIS to create spatial data layers and attribute tables to overlay with substrate layers for analysis.

Every two weeks, the Contractor (or work crew) will record, via GPS, the location of redds, including species identification, estimated fish length, redd nose velocity, depth in pocket, width, length and length of tailspill.

No more than twice a month (once a month on average), the Contractor shall determine how flows affect steelhead spawning locations, timing, and egg to fry survival through stranding and isolation pool surveys that are dictated by release changes of more than 1,000 cfs at flows between 8,000 and 25,000 cfs; and release changes of 250 cfs when flows are below 1,000 cfs. The Contractor will be notified by Reclamation when flows are scheduled to decrease. Based on the flow data, the Contractor shall schedule the stranding/isolation surveys in coordination with Reclamation and CDFW staff. CDFW staff will have necessary permits required to handle endangered fish species. Stranded redd location, and/or isolation pool locations should be reported with GPS and mapped according. Redd depths and flows (based on stage elevation changes) are to be compiled and reported at the completion of the survey.

The Contractor prepares the annual report by including tables, graphs, and databases with the results of the data compilation effort. The annual report will provide yearly estimates of in-river spawning steelhead abundance or an index of abundance that will be comparable from year to year.

Task 3.4 Deliverables

1. Bi-weekly Spawning Survey Reports

2. Stranding/Isolation Survey Reports

3. Data Compilation and Draft Report

4. Annual Close Out Meeting

5. Final Report

4.0 SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES and PERFORMANCE PERIOD

Task 3.1 Deliverables DUE DATE

1. Work plan and Schedule Updated monthly

2. Monthly invoice and progress reports Updated monthly

3. Meeting minutes, agendas, materials 5 work days after meeting

4. Communication Plan 2 weeks after award

5. Results of Pre-Work Orientation Meeting, Mid-Project Review, Annual Close Out Meeting, Lessons Learned meetings

5 work days after meeting Task 3.2 Deliverables DUE DATE

1. Safety Plan 2 weeks after review

2. Data Quality Control Plan 4 weeks after review

3. Documentation showing coordination and acceptance of plans from Reclamation

Submit with Final Plans

Task 3.3 Deliverables DUE DATE

1. Bi-weekly spawning surveys Bi-Weekly

2. Stranding/isolation surveys No more than 2/month

3. Populated Databases Monthly Task 3.4 Deliverables DUE DATE

1. Bi-weekly Reports Updated Bi-Weekly

2. Stranding/isolation Reports Updated no more than 2/month

3. Data Compilation and Draft Report May 1

4. Annual Close Out Meeting After draft report submitted

5. Final Report Final May 31

Period of Performance This requirement will be for a base year and four (4) option years.

5.0 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT PLAN

5.1 Monitoring Performance

During the course of the evaluation period, the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) shall track Contractor performance. Interim (mid-term) evaluations may be provided to identify strengths and weaknesses in the Contractor's performance during the period being evaluated. At the end of the period, the COR shall assess the Contractor's performance in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) and report to the Contracting Officer (CO).

5.2 Contractor Self-Assessment

Following each evaluation period, the Contractor may provide a written self-assessment of its performance to the COR to be considered in its report to the CO. The self-assessment shall be submitted not later than 5 working days after the end of each evaluation period. The self-evaluation shall not exceed 1 page per Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) element. The self-assessment shall address both the strengths and weaknesses of the Contractor's performance during the evaluation period.

Where deficiencies in performance are noted, the Contractor shall describe the actions planned or taken to correct such deficiencies and avoid their recurrence. The self-assessment itself shall NOT be the basis for the payment determination.

5.3 COR Recommendation

The COR shall consider all evaluations and any other pertinent information, including Contractor self-assessment, and shall prepare a report to the CO with findings and recommendations. The Contractor shall be provided a copy of the draft findings and recommendations of the COR and shall be afforded the opportunity to identify factual errors. The COR's draft recommendation is not subject to negotiation and the COR shall not engage in discussions with the Contractor. Any errors identified by the Contractor shall be addressed by the COR in their final report. The Contractor shall be provided a copy of the final COR report at the same time the report is submitted to the CO.

5.4 Payment Determination

The CO may meet with the COR to discuss the COR's report. The CO shall make a final determination in writing as to the percentage of work successfully completed, and the resulting payment to be made. A copy of the determination shall be provided to the Contractor no later than 45 calendar days after the end of the period being evaluated. All CO decisions regarding payment deduction are unilateral decisions made solely at the discretion of the Government.

5.5 Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan is one evaluation method the government uses to surveil performance to determine whether the Contractor meets the standards of performance as defined in the PWS. The absence of a QASP for any contract requirement, however, shall not detract from its enforceability or limit the rights or remedies of the government under any other provision of the contract in determining the quality of the Contractor performance.

QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLANCE PLAN

Performance Requirement Summary (PRS)

Acceptable Quality Level

Means of Measurement

Timeliness:

Contractor shall comply with the Performance Work Statement deadlines.

Receipt of:

Communication Plan Safety Plan Data Quality Control Plan Bi-Weekly Reports Update Plans as needed Draft Report Final Report

Meet Due Dates:

2 Weeks After Award 2 Weeks After Award 4 Weeks After Award As prepared Monthly Status May 1 May 31

Performance Requirements Summary

Performance Standard Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance

Task 3.1. Deliverables

1. Work Plan and schedule Develop Work Plan, work sequence diagram and schedules for completion of all tasks

Detailed Plan meets BOR goals.

Comprehensive schedule ensure deadlines are met

Document review and coordination

2. Monthly invoice and progress reports

Progress reports show action taken, actions planned and concerns and/or issues

Accuracy – 95% of document error free

Document review and acceptance of invoice

3. Meeting minutes, agendas, materials

Facilitate meetings, provide minutes, track action items, records

Adequately facilitate productive meetings and communications

Documentation review, completion of action items, productive meetings

4. Communication Plan Develop effective communication plan

Effective implementation means all parties understand goals and progress

Observation of implementation;

document number of communication failures

5. Results of pre-work orientation meeting, mid-project review, annual close out meeting, lessons learned meetings

Facilitate, schedule and participate in interagency meetings

Facilitate effective and productive meetings, incorporate lessons learned

Documentation review, completion of action items, productive meetings

Task 3.2 Deliverables

1. Safety plan Develop robust safety plan Robust plan will reduce or eliminate safety problems Observation of implementation, document number of safety problems

2. Data quality control plan

Develop thorough data quality control plan on time

Thorough plan will protect data integrity

Observation of implementation, document number of data errors

3. Documentation showing coordination and acceptance of plans from Reclamation

Develop coordination process Accuracy – 95% of document error free

Documentation review

Performance Requirements Summary

Performance Standard Acceptable Quality Level Method of Surveillance

Task 3.3 deliverables

1. Biweekly Central Valley steelhead spawning surveys

Surveys shall be thorough, accurate and timely

Survey shall follow protocols – 95% of the time

Database/biweekly report review

2. Central Valley steelhead stranding and isolation pool surveys

Survey shall be thorough, accurate and timely

Survey shall follow protocols – 95% of the time

Database/survey report review

3. Populated databases Database reflects latest collected information

Accuracy – data collection shall be 95% error-free

Database review

Task 3.4 deliverables

1. Bi-weekly spawning survey reports

Reports shall be thorough, accurate and timely

Accuracy – 95% of document error-free

Documentation review

2. Stranding/isolation survey report

Reports shall be thorough, accurate and timely

Accuracy – 95% of document error-free

Documentation review

3. Data compilation and draft report

Prepare draft report for review Accuracy – 95% of document error-free

Results are clearly understood and documented

4. Annual close out meeting Discuss any edits to draft report Accuracy – 90% of document error-free

5. Final report Submit all electronic and paper documentation to government in usable form

Accuracy – 90% of document error-free

Final report required prior to final payment each year

6.0 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS - GOVERNMENT FURNISHED

FACILITIES, SUPPLIES and SERVICES

6.1 Facilities, Supplies and Services

The physical work will be performed at the lower American River. Database and administrative work will be performed at the Contractor’s office.

6.2 Materials

This requirement is for labor support and no materials are expected to be procured by the Government under this order as part of order fulfillment. The Government will provide initial documentation and access to historical data and existing databases.

6.3 Reports

6.3.1 Safety Plan

The Safety Plan is maintained by the COR and updated by the Contractor. The Safety Plan addresses the conduct of the field studies. The plan shall include replacement of field equipment and annual preventative maintenance measures, as needed, to ensure a safe working environment. An updated plan shall be submitted by the Contractor two weeks after the pre-work orientation meeting. The Contractor shall return the updated Safety Plan to the Government annually during the Close Out Meeting.

6.3.2 Data Quality Control Plan

The COR maintains an existing Data Quality Control Plan addressing the collection, review, and confirmation of field data. An updated plan shall be submitted by the Contractor three weeks after the pre-work orientation meeting.

7.0 Contractor Furnished Items and Services

7.1 Supplies and Services

The Contractor shall furnish all supplies and services to meet performance requirements, except that specified in Section 6.0. See Appendix One for list of items historically used to perform this work.

7.2 Contractor Identification

The contractor is required to identify themselves as a contractor when attending meetings, answering government telephones or where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties (i.e., e-mail). The contractor personnel are also required to mark any documents as being contractor-prepared or ensure that their participation as contractors is appropriately disclosed.

8.0 POINTS OF CONTACT

8.1 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR):

Spencer Marshall, Natural Resource Specialist Bureau of Reclamation Central California Area Office 7794 Folsom Dam Road Folsom, CA 95630 Phone: (916) 537-7072; email: smarshall@usbr.gov

9.0 Payment Schedule

The Government intends to make delivery payments based on the Contractor’s timely submission of deliverables that meet or exceed the Government’s requirements. The Government will review these deliverables and either accept them, notify the Contractor of the need for corrections or changes, or provide a notice of rejection. The Contractor shall propose a payment schedule based on the deliverables table.

10.0 Intellectual Property

The United States Government funds this order. All intellectual property generated and/or delivered pursuant to this PWS shall be subject to appropriate federal acquisition regulations which entitle the Government to unlimited license rights in technical data and computer software developed exclusively with Government funds, a nonexclusive “paid-up” license to practice any patentable invention or discovery made during the performance of this contract, and a “paid-up” nonexclusive and irrevocable worldwide license to reproduce all works (including technical and scientific articles) produced during this contract.

11.0 Applicable Guidance – The Contractor shall complete appropriate environmental documentation to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policy, and laws.

11.1 Equipment

The Government will not pay for this equipment. As a business professional, the Contractor will be expected to secure and provide all equipment necessary to perform the work described in the PWS.

The Contractor shall furnish the crew with the equipment necessary to conduct the surveys including one each of safety equipment at the beginning of each option year to the Fisheries Biologist and Fisheries Technician for use during the data collection phase.

mailto:mail:%20smarshall@usbr.gov