A04_AIM_RFI_SOWv2_1.docx

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Oregon/Washington Terrestrial Data Collection for Expanding Grazing Scope of Work

1. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages millions of acres of land within the states of Oregon and Washington. BLM Oregon/Washington is collecting terrestrial data to expand grazing opportunities in eastern Oregon and Washington. This work is statutorily required by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act Sec. 201a, Sec202c, the Public Rangelands Improvement Act and the Taylor Grazing Act, among other statutes. The work will also provide necessary insights into treatment effectiveness and will expedite the land health permit process.

This scope of work is for terrestrial data collection. The requisite scope of work includes 260 terrestrial points in the 2026 field season, with a potential for four 12-month options periods (2027-2030) with 400 terrestrial points per year as reflected in Table 1.

This scope of work also includes optional task 5 to increase the number of required points by up to 250 terrestrial per contract period as stated below in Paragraph 3.5. This optional task may be exercised during any of the option periods.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Period of Performance

The base year for this contract is aligned with the federal government fiscal year 2026, with four option years as described in Table 1. The base year of data collection will be field season 2026.

Table 1. Period of Performance.

3/31/2027

2.2 Regulatory Guidance

Terrestrial Data - The contractor shall be responsible for collecting terrestrial data at targeted and randomly distributed points on BLM administered lands throughout Oregon/Washington. Data collection occurs in accordance with the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems found on the https://www.blm.gov/aim website. At all plots, core methods as described in the Monitoring Manual will be followed in addition to the following four contingent methods collected in Survey123 software: 1) sagebrush shape, 2) tallest perennial herbaceous height measurement at every 5th LPI, 3) forb abundance. Additional supplemental methods maybe be requested on some plots, these include: 1) Visual Obstruction Recording, 2) Density of Deep Rooted Perennial Grasses. See Section 3.2.3.2 for details on contingent data collection methods. Data collection dates at all plots shall begin no earlier than April 20 and shall end no later than September 30.

2.3 Project Timeline and Deadlines

· Sample point/plot coordinates provided to contractor: Terrestrial (April)

· Training and calibration: Terrestrial (April)

· Data collection begins after training and calibration

· All data provided to the BLM-NOC Terrestrial (November 10). Brief project implementation report submitted, table of contents to be provided by the BLM Terrestrial.

· Period of performance March 31 of the base/ Option Year.

The timelines in the base period will be the same in each option period.

2.4 Location Conditions

Data collection often occurs in remote locations, where cellular connection is unavailable or inconsistent. The BLM recommends that field crews be prepared to camp in primitive conditions over several days and to collect data in multi-day “hitches” to minimize travel time. Under oversight of the contractor’s project/crew manager, field crews shall be responsible for safety and for appropriate coordination with local BLM field offices regarding access across private lands, rejection of sample points, and/or protection of local resources. In addition to attending the BLM provided field training, contractor personnel will need to attend a general orientation at the local field offices to be informed of local issues, safety measures, and resource concerns. Contractors will be required to include an example hitch schedule and safety plan as part of their submission. Contractors will be required to submit a hitch schedule, with planned plots and InReach contact information to the BLM State Coordinator ahead of each hitch.

3. SCOPE / TASKS

3.1 TASK 1 - COORDINATION

Once the contract is awarded, coordination is required between the contractor and BLM Oregon/Washington State Office Data Collection Coordinator, local Field Office Leads and National AIM Team as described in Table 2.

Table 2. Terrestrial AIM implementation roles and responsibilities.

Responsible parties

Lead

Safety training

Office point evaluation

Provide landowner contacts

Lead

Contact landowners for permission where needed

Crew check-in and safety

Data collection

Field QC of data in Survey123

Office QC of data

Lead

Lead

Assist

Field QC of data

Lead

Critical concepts of QC

Assist

QC of computed field indicators

Co-lead Assist

Lead

Field season report submission

Lead

*See Data Management and QAQC Protocol for guidelines on who should attend training and how often

3.1.1 Post Award Kick Off Meeting.

After award, the contractor shall coordinate a meeting with the COR and BLM Oregon/Washington State Office lead to discuss the survey design, field methodologies, training, and to answer any questions related to the monitoring effort.

3.1.2 Pre-Collection Meeting.

At least one month prior to data collection, the contractor shall coordinate an additional meeting with the COR, BLM Oregon/Washington State Office, and Field Office leads to discuss sample order strategy, point and reach evaluation criteria, and to answer any remaining questions related to the monitoring effort. Sample points and reaches shall be available in ArcGIS Online (AGOL) at least 30 days prior to the start of data collection. If a sample point or reach must be rejected in the field, the point shall be replaced in accordance with the standards outlined in the official AIM point rejection protocol found in the Data Management Protocol document (https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources).

Upon request the contractor will allow BLM employees (including and beyond project leads) or public lands stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the methodologies as described.

3.1.3 Hitch Schedule.

The contractor shall provide the COR, BLM State Office lead, and respective Field Office lead with a hitch schedule including dates of field work and planned sample points and planned access routes prior to each hitch. To ensure BLM Field Office leads, have time to review and comment on the hitch schedule, the draft hitch schedule shall be provided to the COR, State Office Lead, and the respective Field Office lead at least one week in advance of each hitch. Given the interdependence of sample point progress among hitches, and unforeseen circumstances or access challenges, a need for flexibility in specific hitch plans is acknowledged. Those hitch plans not submitted sufficiently in advance may not be reviewed by BLM project leads.

3.1.4 Field Orientation and Calibration Exercises.

Contractor is responsible for ensuring that field crews can identify local plants to species or sub-species, either by providing specialized local information or training, or by requiring formal education background of crew members.

3.2 TASK 2 – DATA COLLECTION

3.2.1 Timeframe -

Data collection shall begin as specified in Section 2.3 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’. Data collection must occur between April 20th and September 30th with few exceptions (e.g., for unique weather conditions). This timeframe generally corresponds to when vegetation is most readily identifiable in accordance with the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, and contingent methodologies as described below. Contractor is responsible for ensuring that data is collected within the timeframe described in Section 2.3 for optimal vegetative expression, according to climate and local phenology.

3.2.2 Terrain and Systems - Terrestrial

Sample points may be >3 miles from a road (includes 4-wheel drive roads or “jeep trails”) so off trail navigation and moderate hiking will be required for many plots. See Table 2 Roles and Responsibilities for specific roles of office and field evaluations, trip planning, data collection, protocol assistance, and other data collection related tasks. The most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems found on the https://www.blm.gov/aim website shall be followed. Upon request, the contractor shall allow BLM employees and/or stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts.

3.2.3 Data Methods -Terrestrial

The contractor shall follow the latest version of the Terrestrial AIM Data Management Protocol, which includes the Calibration Protocol, Rejection Protocol, and Data Backup Protocol, and can be found on https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources.

Plot layout shall typically include three 25 meter transects arranged in a spoke with a bearing of 0°, 120° and 240°. Orientation of points shall be done using magnetic north with no correction for declination. In some cases, alternate transect layouts shall be used. These plots will be identified in advance and will be available to the crews on the Field Maps for the sample design.

Samples points designated as revisits shall be identified with appropriate changes in method collection and with guidance on office plot monument preferences.

3.2.3.1 Core Methods -Terrestrial

Core methods shall be completed at each plot and shall include the following (with adjustments regarding revisits in accordance with the revisit guidance):

· Plot Characterization

· Plot center shall be monumented with capped rebar or similar, where noted as required by a Field Office

· Plot Observation

· Photos

· Photos shall be taken and provided to BLM in the Survey123 data collection application.

· A photo shall be taken from the start and end of each Transect facing away and towards the plot center (total of six photos, two for each transect) and one photo of soil pit. Additional photos maybe be requested to capture key features of interest.

· Line-point Intercept (LPI)

· LPI observations shall be made every 0.5m along each 25m transect, for a total of at least 150-point observations per plot.

· Vegetation Height

· Vegetation heights shall be recorded at every 5th LPI observation, per Table 1.

· Gap Intercept

· Gap intercept shall be collected along each 25m transect, for a total of 75m of gap intercept data per plot.

· Soil Aggregate Stability

· 18 soil surface samples shall be collected and tested for stability along three transects (six per transect line).

· Plot-Level Species Inventory

· Plants shall be identified to species whenever possible except for sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata and Artemisia arbuscula), which shall be identified to the sub-species level.

3.2.3.2 Contingent and Supplemental Methods -Terrestrial

Contingent methods shall be completed as indicated below, with all supplemental data collected in Survey123. These include:

· Sagebrush shape Each time a live sagebrush ≥20 cm in height is recorded as foliar cover when conducting line-point intercept, the shape of the sagebrush shall be recorded (spreading or columnar) as described in the 2019 Modified HAF v. 2.0 guide (p. 14, Attachment 1). Please note that the 2019 Modified HAF was developed by BLM Idaho for use across the western United States where sagebrush ecosystems are present.

· Second herbaceous height measurement at every 5th LPI The Core Methods manual states on page 37: “Record only one height for each plant type (woody or herbaceous) if present.” For this Contract, vegetation heights shall be recorded for three classes as described in the 2019 Modified HAF v. 2.0 guide (p. 13, attachment 2): “tallest woody, tallest herbaceous species (annual or perennial), and second tallest herbaceous species (perennial)”.

· Plant abundance During the Plot-Level Species Inventory, as described in the Core Methods manual (p. 55), an estimate of the abundance of each species shall be made using the following categories and as described in the current Terrestrial Data Management Protocol (found on https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources):

· 1-5 individuals

· 6-10 individuals

· 11-100 individuals

· 101-500 individuals

· 501-1000 individuals

· >1000 individuals Supplemental methods of

· Visual Obstruction Recording These methods may be requested on some plots.

· Density of Deep Rooted Perennial Grasses These methods may be requested on some plots.

3.2.4 Monitoring Methods

All questions regarding monitoring methodology that are not answered by the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems found on the https://www.blm.gov/aim website and other technical guides, as provided, shall first be addressed by the contractor, and then the BLM State Office lead, if further guidance is needed.

3.2.5 Electronic Capture Devices

Electronic data capture while field sampling is required by the BLM. In the event that electronic data capture is not possible due to unforeseen circumstances, any data that is collected using paper forms shall be entered into Field Maps/Survey123 no later than ten working days after data collection takes place. The data shall be error-checked in detail after it is entered into Survey123. Refer to the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition and Terrestrial Data Management Protocol in the Field Crew Data Management section for additional information, found on the www.blm.gov/aim website.

Contractor is responsible for providing and setting up electronic capture devices with the current versions of AIM data capture applications. A list of these applications can be found on the AIM Data Capture Applications page: https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources Data Capture Applications. Prior to fieldwork, applications must be populated with fields and picklists appropriate for the Field Office.

3.2.6 Rejected Points

If a point must be rejected in the field, in accordance with the standards outlined in the Terrestrial Data Management Protocol (found at https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources under Data Management Protocols), the contractor shall move on to one of the next sample points, as directed. If a point that BLM has identified for plant voucher collection is rejected, the contractor shall contact the BLM within five business days to identify an appropriate replacement point for the voucher collections.

3.2.7 Private Land Access

The contractor shall coordinate with BLM regarding private land access issues. If private land will be crossed in the process of collecting the data, the contractor shall contact the private landowner to acquire permission to cross their land. Contact information will be provided by the BLM field office project lead, if available. To comply with State law, private land permission shall be granted before the contractor crosses private land to comply with State law.

3.3 TASK 3 – QUALITY CONTROL AND DATA TRACKING

The contractor shall follow and implement the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) steps outlined in the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems and the latest Terrestrial Field Crew Data Management Protocol (https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources Monitoring Protocols). The contractor shall complete the appropriate sections in Field Maps/Survey123 to show that the data has been checked for errors.

3.3.1 Calibration

During or before the first hitch, the contractor shall work with the BLM Field Office lead(s) to complete a field orientation and calibration (See Table 2). Field orientation and calibration is described in detail in the most current Terrestrial Data Management Protocol.

The contractor shall maintain Calibration Plots in Survey123 using the calibration option. These Calibration Plots will be seen in real time as soon as the information is uploaded for state office and appropriate Field Office lead(s) to review regularly.

3.3.2 Survey123

Field data shall be submitted via Survey123. Any data that is collected using paper forms shall be entered into Field Maps/Survey123 no later than ten working days after data collection takes place. The data shall be error-checked in detail after it is entered into Survey123. The procedure for entering the data can be found in the most current version of the Terrestrial Data Management Protocol in the Field Crew Data Management section. The best management practices for this can be found in the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems.

3.4 TASK 4 – CONTRACTOR SUBMITTED DATA

3.4.1 Survey Synchronization

Completed surveys shall be uploaded to (synchronized with) the AIM enterprise database at the end of each day or as often as it is possible to connect to a Wi-Fi or cellular network with adequate bandwidth. When working in remote areas where it is not possible to connect regularly, backing up survey forms is recommended. The procedure for this is described in the latest version of the Terrestrial Data Management Protocols found at: https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources.

All data will be provided to the BLM in an electronic format by the date specified in Project Timelines and Deadlines above, and as described in Section 3.3. Final field data should be submitted within the Field Maps and Survey 123 applications, while the fate of sampled and evaluated reaches should be tracked in the webmap.

3.4.2 Project Implementation Report

A complete project implementation report shall be submitted at the end of the field season as specified above in Section 2.3 Project Timelines and Deadlines.

3.5 TASK OPTIONAL TASK 5 – QUANTITY INCREASE OF DATA POINTS

At any time during contract performance, the Contracting Officer (CO) may notify the contractor of its intent to exercise Optional Task 5 in accordance with the applicable contract clause. Upon receipt of the executed modification to exercise Optional Task 5, the contractor shall be responsible for collecting data at additional targeted and/or randomly distributed points, up to but not more than 250. Data collection at these additional points shall follow the same procedures, guidance, and standards as described for all data collection points as stated in this Scope of Work. The quantity of additional points required shall not exceed 250 per year. There is no guarantee of this additional work described under Optional Task 5; therefore, the contractor shall not perform any services without an executed modification from the CO.

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The contractor shall furnish the following list of equipment in performance of this contract.

4.1 Gear and Electronic Devices

All terrestrial AIM gear, including electronic devices for data capture and equipment required to collect contingent indicators, is listed in the equipment checklist provided at https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources and also below.

· Electronic data capture tablets for Field Maps/Survey 123 data collection. Tablets shall use either Android or iOS operating systems and be upgradable to the current version of their respective operating system, for compatibility with listed applications.

· 10 megapixel or better digital camera

· GPS device

· Compass

· The contractor is responsible for all other materials needed to successfully complete the monitoring including but not limited to:

· Shovel

· 2mm Soil sieve

· Transect tapes and stakes

· Soil Stability kit

· Munsell soil color chart

· Plant press

· Plant books

· Monument markers (rebar stakes with aluminum caps) will be supplied by the contractor

· Gear for fire safety during the fire season

4.2 Field Vehicles

4.2.1 Four Wheel Drive

Field vehicle (a 4-wheel drive (4X4) vehicle with high clearance is required and all terrain 10-ply tires are highly recommended.

4.2.2 Utility/All-Terrain Vehicle

A UTV/ATV may be needed to access some points. UTV/ATV equipment needed to access a point will be at the discretion of, and supplied by, the contractor. In using UTV/ATV equipment to access sites, no sustained impact to resource values should occur. Motorized access to wilderness or wilderness study areas will not be allowed, unless by written permission of the appropriate BLM Field Office manager. In using equipment to access sites, no sustained impact to resource values should occur.

5. PERSONNEL & QUALIFICATIONS

5.1 Key Personnel: Project/Crew Manager

5.1.1 Project/Crew Manager Qualifications

The contractor shall designate a project/crew manager as its primary point of contact and to lead implementation of tasks as identified herein. At a minimum, the designated project/crew manager shall have the following education and experience:

· Master’s or PhD degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline such as environmental science, conservation, ecology, rangeland management, or hydrology that included a combination of the plant, hydrology, and soil sciences, and natural resources management; and

· A minimum of five years of professional experience managing field crews relevant to the collection of terrestrial rangeland data in eastern Oregon and Washington; and

· Extensive knowledge of the flora and soils of eastern Oregon and Washington; and

· A minimum of five years of professional experience working in post fire environments in eastern Oregon and Washington; and

· A minimum of five years of professional experience of Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation treatments; and

· A minimum of five years of professional experience managing crews working in remote field conditions, including using InReach Devices; and

· Extensive experience using Field Maps and developing Survey123 surveys; and

· Experience leading field training for terrestrial Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM).

5.1.2 Replacement Approval

Key personnel assigned to this contract shall not be removed or replaced without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Approval/disapproval of key personnel replacement is the responsibility of the Contracting Officer (CO).

5.1.3 Personnel Availability

The contractor shall immediately notify the COR when key personnel are unavailable for work under this contract for a continuous period exceeding five field survey days.

Checklist for Key Personnel:

☐ Master’s or Ph.D degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline such as environmental science, conservation, ecology, rangeland management, or hydrology that included a combination of the plant, hydrology, and soil sciences, and natural resources management; and ☐ A minimum of five years of professional experience managing complex projects and/or field crews relevant to the collection of terrestrial rangeland data in eastern Oregon and Washington.

☐ Extensive knowledge of the flora and soils of eastern Oregon and Washington ☐ A minimum of five years of professional experience working in post fire environments in eastern Oregon and Washington ☐ A minimum of five years of professional experience working in Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation treatments ☐ A minimum of five years of professional experience managing crews working in remote field conditions, including using InReach Devices.

☐ Extensive experience using Field Maps and developing Survey123 surveys.

☐ Experience leading field training for terrestrial Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM).

5.2 Field crew

A minimum of two individuals, forming one crew, will be required at each monitoring site. Each crew will have one crew lead, responsible for the contractor data collection crew responsibilities noted in Table 3.

Collectively, the individuals in the crew who participate in collecting monitoring data will need to have the following qualifications:

· Field Botanist or Rangeland Management Specialist

· Field Soil Scientist

These individuals need to be able to identify the plant species of eastern OR and Washington to the species level see section 3.1.4 above that states that the contractor is responsible for ensuring that field crews can identify local plants to species or sub-species, either by providing specialized local information or training, or by requiring formal education background of crew members.

5.3 Terrestrial AIM Core Methods Training

All individuals present for data collection must have successfully completed Terrestrial AIM core methods training provided by the BLM at least once in three years. Information about these trainings is available at https://www.blm.gov/aim/strategy.

5.3.1 Online Prerequisites/Pre-training

Contractor staff shall complete online training materials before attending field methods training. If a technician needs to be replaced within a field season by a technician who has not attended training in last three years, then the crew manager who is trained in AIM within the last three years, must accompany the new technician in the field for the first three plots/reaches. Furthermore, all pre-training materials must also be completed prior to collecting data.

Crew member attendance at yearly terrestrial AIM trainings in Oregon/Washington is preferred. If a crew member joins a crew after formal training is available, the crew member shall review online training on AIM and AIM methods and must demonstrate adequate calibration with other crew members before collecting data.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION AND PROPERTY

Any information including GIS data needed to complete the project will be furnished upon request. Access will vary from public access to access across private land. Most plots will need to be accessed by a 4-wheel drive vehicle or UTV, and by foot. Contact with private landowners will occur prior to access by the contractor and coordinated with the BLM Project Lead.

6.1 ESRI Access

The BLM will provide the contractor with access to ESRI feature services of the sample points that have been reviewed against office rejection criteria, as well as the associated coordinate locations. If feature services are not available or accessible, the BLM may elect to provide this information in GIS format or CSV spreadsheet. Any other information including GIS data needed to complete the data collection will be considered upon request. The Government will not supply any other information, equipment, or property for completion of this contract.

7. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The contractor shall provide all personnel, resources, tools, equipment and incidentals necessary to complete the services required in this contract SOW.

8. QUALITY

The Government will measure Quality based on the following Table 6 – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS):

9.1 Table 6 – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS)

PERFORMANCE

OBJECTIVE

Accuracy – all documents conform to formatting requirements, agency directives, department directives and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Professional – All Documents are well organized, grammatically correct and demonstrate sound professional evaluation and analysis.

Task 1 Coordination

Task 2 Data Collection

Task 3 Quality Control and Data Tracking

Task 4 Provide Data to the BLM

Optional Task 5 Added Data Points

10 IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACT EMPLOYEES: All contract personnel are required to identify themselves as contractors. Whether attending meetings, answering Government telephones, or working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties, they must make their status known to avoid creating an impression that they are Government employees.

image1.png