PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

ESA-Based Conservation Framework for Listed Species in Ohio

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide an ESA-based conservation framework for listed species in Ohio. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to create an ESA-based conservation framework for listed species in Ohio, as defined in this Performance Work Statement – except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ohio Ecological Services Field Office (OHFO) is pursuing new approaches to streamline workload demands while maintaining a strong focus on conserving federally threatened and endangered species. The Service has consistently found that integrating conservation planning with regulatory processes leads to more effective conservation results. Developing a Conservation Framework for Ohio’s listed species will allow for conservation objectives to be incorporated early during the planning of future infrastructure activities in the state, supporting both regulatory efficiency and long-term species conservation.

1.3 Objectives: Develop a conservation framework for federally listed species in Ohio that can be used by OHFO to inform and support Habitat Conservation Plan efforts, section 7 consultations, development and use of best management practices, completion of 5-year reviews, development of listing & de-listing decisions, and implementation of restoration and recovery activities.

1.4 Scope: The Conservation Framework will be developed through the integration of species-level information, population-level context, and area-specific conservation needs.

• Create species profiles and establish “links” in the chains of logic that will support OHFO’s future conservation and regulatory decisions.

• Identify environmental stressors that affect an individual animal’s ability to complete their lifecycle and define effective measures to address such impacts on the species.

• Identify and prioritize conservation goals, based on potential geographic extents of influence, conservation value, and actions required to maximally offset adverse effects of environmental stressors on imperiled species.

• Identify gaps in existing, offsetting mechanisms available in the state and recommend unique mechanisms and processes to address those gaps, providing structured chains of logic to demonstrate how recommended strategies address individual, population, and species-level effects.

1.5 Period of Performance:: The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year of 12 months. The

Period of Performance reads as follows:

September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which they assure themselves that their work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: The contractor is not required to work on holidays.

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: Not applicable.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at the contractor’s home office.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a firm-fixed-price contract

1.6.7 Security Requirements: Not applicable.

1.6.7.1 PHYSICAL Security: Not applicable.

1.6.7.2 Key Control. Not applicable

1.6.7.3 Lock Combination: Not applicable.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: Not applicable.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: Not applicable.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: Not applicable.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: Not applicable.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: Not applicable.

1.6.14 Other Direct Costs: Not applicable.

1.6.15 Data Rights): The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.6.16 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may effect other remedies as they deem necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.17 PHASE IN /PHASE OUT PERIOD: Not applicable.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative CFR Code of Federal Regulations COR Contracting Officer Representative

COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest ODC Other Direct Costs PIPO Phase In/Phase Out POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Program TE Technical Exhibit

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Service: The Government will set up a Teams site to facilitate sharing of information.

3.2 Facilities: Not applicable.

3.3 Utilities: Not applicable.

3.4 Equipment: Not applicable.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide all necessary background information, including, but not limited to existing biological opinions, habitat conservation plans, GIS data, priority conservation areas, etc.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable.

4.3. Materials: Not applicable.

4.4. Equipment: Not applicable.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for the following.

Task 1: Assemble Species Profiles

Task: Assemble and present the information needed to describe the conservation status of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalist) and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) at the species, population, and individual levels.

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to establish the conservation context for each species and identify the factors affecting their status. This information will provide the individual and population level foundation needed to complete the remaining tasks.

Activities: The Contractor will review pertinent information sources such as species recovery plans, existing species status assessments (SSAs), past section 7 biological opinions, existing HCPs, and other relevant documents to develop profiles for each species that: (1) identify each species’ distribution both range-wide and within Ohio; (2) describe the status of the species across these distributions; (3) identify key life history characteristics and the specific resources needed to successfully fulfill them; and (4) identify threats that limit each species’ ability to successfully meet their life history needs.

Deliverables: Draft species profile sections that summarize and present the assembled information and establish the initial “links” in the chains of logic that will support the OHFO’s future conservation and regulatory decisions; draft guidance for describing a species conservation status in a manner that supports the identification of conservation goals and objectives.

Task 2: Identify Priority Conservation Areas and Goals for Ohio

Task: Review relevant information and work with OHFO to identify priority conservation areas, establish conservation goals and objectives for each area, and develop methods and strategies for achieving them.

Purpose: This task establishes the population-level context needed to assess how priority conservation areas contribute to species viability and identify the conditions necessary for those areas to fulfill their conservation roles and address population-level effects.

Activities: The Consultant Team will coordinate with the OHFO to: (1) identify and map priority conservation areas for each species within Ohio; (2) describe the ecological value and conservation role of each priority area; (3) establish conservation goals that define the conditions needed for each area to fulfill its role; and (4) identify methods and strategies for achieving those goals.

Deliverables: Draft sections for each priority conservation area that identify its geographic extent, describe its conservation value and role, define the goals and objectives necessary for the area to fulfill its conservation roles, and outline methods and strategies for achieving those goals; draft guidance that describes the process for identifying priority conservation areas, their conservation value and function, and associated goals and objectives.

Task 3: Develop Conservation Approach

Task: Identify environmental stressors, describe how they affect the ability of individual bats to successfully complete their life cycle, and evaluate how these individual-level effects influence the ability to achieve the conservation goals and objectives established for each priority conservation area.

Purpose: This task develops the foundational information needed to construct the chains of logic that link effects at the individual level to population-level consequences.

This task also includes developing approaches for addressing the identified effects at the individual, population, and/or species levels, as well as identifying the appropriate monitoring and reporting processes to document and track effects over time.

Activities: The Consultant Team will: (1) identify environmental stressors affecting the bats within each priority conservation area; (2) describe how each stressor affect the ability of individual bats to successfully complete their life cycle; (3) evaluate how individual-level effects influence the ability to achieve the conservation goals and objectives of each priority conservation area; (4) develop approaches for addressing the effects of the identified stressors (this includes development of “best management practices,” project design criteria, etc.); and

(5) identify monitoring and reporting processes that can be used to documented effects, evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies, and meet the OHFO’s legal and regulatory requirements.

Deliverables: Draft section(s) identifying environmental stressors and describing how those stressors affect individual bat’s ability to complete their lifecycle, how these individual-level effects influence the ability to achieve conservation goals and objectives of each priority area, develop approaches for addressing the consequences of these effects, and outline monitoring and reporting processes that support the OHFO’s legal and regulatory requirements. Draft guidance for completing the activities associated with this task.

Task 4: Develop Strategies for Offsetting Impacts to Bat Species

Task: Based on the work completed in Tasks 1-3, identify strategies and options for addressing the consequences of effects to the bat species that cannot be avoided or further minimized.

Purpose: This task synthesizes information generated through the first three tasks to develop structured processes for offsetting effects to individual bats that cannot be avoided or further minimized. These processes will address effects at the individual, population, and species levels and will be supported by clear chains of logic describing how each method addresses the consequences of exposure to the environmental stressors of concern. This will enable the OHFO to identify the “chains of logic” supporting their assessment of effects along with the conservation benefits of the offsetting actions.

Activities: The Contractor will: (1) work with OHFO personnel and other appropriate entities to identify existing offsetting mechanisms and processes currently available in Ohio; (2) utilize information generated in Tasks 1-3 to identify “gaps” in existing mechanisms and processes that may result in inadequate conservation outcomes; and (3) develop recommendations for additional mechanisms and processes that can be used in Ohio to offset effects and fulfill the requirements of the Endangered Species Act.

Deliverables: Draft section(s) that identify existing offsetting mechanisms and processes available in Ohio, describe gaps in current mechanisms based on conservation goals identified in Tasks 1–3, recommend additional mechanisms or processes to address those gaps, and provide structured chains of logic demonstrating how recommended offsetting strategies address individual, population, and species-level effects; draft guidance for identifying and determining additional mechanisms to offset impacts to listed species.

Task 5: Assess the Next Set of OHFO-Identified Species, Aquatics

Task: Conduct a literature review and individual interviews with subject experts to assess the available information and individual circumstances affecting the next set of species identified by OHFO, and to develop written guidance for completing Tasks 1-4 for up to 12 listed mussel species. OHFO has 12 listed mussels: clubshell (Pleurobema clava), fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria), longsolid (Fusconaia subrotunda), northern riffleshell (Epioblasma rangiana), pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta), purple cat’s paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata), rabbitsfoot (Quardrula cylindrica cylindrica), rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), round hickorynut (Obovaria subrotunda), sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphus), snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), and white catspaw pearlymussel (Epioblasma perobliqua). Task 5 will begin with assessing our listed mussels, first prioritizing which ones to work on, and then developing guidance for them. For proposal and pricing purposes, offerors shall assume that all 12 identified mussel species will be assessed under Task 5. However, not all 12 species will warrant future conservation-framework development. Task 5 does not include execution or completion of Tasks 1–4 for any mussel species.

Purpose: The purpose of this task is to establish the knowledge base and processes needed to complete the next steps (Tasks 1-4 for the identified species) of OHFO’s long-term project.

Activities: The Contractor will review pertinent literature and conduct interviews with subject experts to assess the sources of information available, such as species recovery plans, existing species status assessments (SSAs), past section 7 biological opinions, existing HCPs, and other relevant documents to identify specific factors of the species’ conservation status, and estimate levels of effort anticipated for completing Tasks 1-4 for the identified species; provide written guidance for completing the future work.

Deliverables: (1) Estimates of the level of effort required to complete Tasks 1-4 for the identified species; (2) written guidance for completing the estimated work; and

(3) development of Tasks 1-4 for the identified species. Note: Task 5 does not include execution or completion of Tasks 1–4 for any mussel species.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective (The Service required—usually a shall statement)

Standard Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1.

Task 1

Assemble Species Profiles. This will include:

• Draft species profile sections that summarize and present the assembled information and establish the initial “links” in the chains of logic that will support the OHFO’s future conservation and regulatory decisions.

• Draft guidance for describing a species conservation status in a manner that supports the identification of conservation goals and objectives.

Zero deviation from standard

100 percent inspection

PRS # 2

Task 2

Identify Priority Conservation Areas and Goals for Ohio. This will include:

• Identify and map priority conservation areas.

• Identify conservation values and roles of each priority conservation area.

• Identify priority conservation area goals necessary for the area to fulfill its conservation roles.

• Identify strategies for achieving those goals.

• Draft guidance that describes the process for identifying priority conservation areas, their conservation value and function, and associated goals and objectives.

Zero deviation from standard

100 percent inspection

PRS # 3

Task 3

Develop Conservation Approach. This will include draft sections that:

• Identify environmental stressors.

• Describe how those stressors affect individual bat’s ability to complete their lifecycle.

• Describe how these individual-level effects influence the ability to achieve the goals and objectives of each priority area.

• Develop methods for addressing the consequences of these effects and identify the monitoring and reporting processes that support the OHFO’s legal and regulatory requirements.

• Draft guidance for completing the activities associated with this task.

Zero deviation from standard

100 percent inspection

PRS # 4

Task 4

Develop Strategies for Offsetting Impacts to Bat Species. This will include:

• Identify existing offsetting mechanisms available in Ohio.

• Identify gaps in current mechanisms based on conservation goals identified in Tasks 1-3.

• Develop recommendations for additional mechanisms to address those gaps.

• Provide structured chains of logic demonstrating how each recommended offsetting strategy addresses individual-, population-, and species-level effects.

• Draft guidance for identifying and determining additional mechanisms to offset impacts to listed species.

Zero deviation from standard

PRS # 5

Task 5

Assess the Next Set of OHFO-Identified Species, Aquatics. This will include:

• Estimating the level of effort required to complete Tasks 1-4 for the mussel species.

• Written guidance for completing the estimated work. Recommendations for prioritizing species for future conservation-framework development.

• Development of Tasks 1-4 for the identified species (Task 5 does not include execution or completion of Tasks 1–4 for any mussel species.)

Zero deviation from standard

MILESTONE DELIVERABLE DUE DATE (FROM NOTICE TO

PROCEED)

KICKOFF MEETING CONTRACTOR KICKOFF MEETING WITH OHFO TO DISCUSS PROJECT SCHEDULE, COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES, AND PROJECT EXPECTATIONS.

WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

MILESTONE 1 DRAFT SPECIES PROFILES (TASK 1), INCLUDING DRAFT GUIDANCE FOR DESCRIBING

SPECIES CONSERVATION STATUS.

WITHIN 45 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

GOVERNMENT REVIEW GOVERNMENT REVIEW/COMMENTS ON TASK 1 DELIVERABLES. WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS OF

RECEIPT

MILESTONE 2 DRAFT PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS AND GOALS (TASK 2), INCORPORATING

GOVERNMENT COMMENTS ON TASK 1 AND DRAFT GUIDANCE.

WITHIN 90 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

GOVERNMENT REVIEW GOVERNMENT REVIEW/COMMENTS ON TASK 2 DELIVERABLES. WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS OF

RECEIPT

MILESTONE 3 DRAFT CONSERVATION APPROACH (TASK 3), INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS, CONSERVATION STRATEGIES, MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONS, AND DRAFT GUIDANCE.

WITHIN 145 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

GOVERNMENT REVIEW GOVERNMENT REVIEW/COMMENTS ON TASK 3 DELIVERABLES. WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS OF

RECEIPT

MILESTONE 4 DRAFT OFFSETTING STRATEGIES (TASK 4), INCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS AND

SUPPORTING CHAINS OF LOGIC.

WITHIN 190 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

GOVERNMENT REVIEW GOVERNMENT REVIEW/COMMENTS ON TASK 4 DELIVERABLES. WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS OF

RECEIPT

MILESTONE 5 TASK 5 DELIVERABLES, INCLUDING ASSESSMENT OF ADDITIONAL OHFO-IDENTIFIED

SPECIES, LEVEL-OF-EFFORT ESTIMATES, AND WRITTEN GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE

FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT.

WITHIN 215 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED

FINAL DELIVERABLE FINAL CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK INCORPORATING ALL ACCEPTED REVISIONS FROM

TASKS 1–5, INCLUDING ALL REPORTS, GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS, AND SUPPORTING

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED BY THE PWS.

WITHIN 365 CALENDAR DAYS

FROM NOTICE TO PROCEED