A04_-_Performance_Work_Statement_(PWS)_-_Cluster_Research_-_Pilot_Project.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Communication and collaboration with livestock producers on GPS cluster investigations for Mexican wolves. Pilot project.

Part 1

General Information

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wants to improve understanding of Mexican wolf interactions with livestock in Arizona and New Mexico, with an emphasis on areas experiencing elevated levels of conflict. The project is intended to support ongoing Mexican Wolf Recovery

Program (MWRP) management by improving information and strengthening working relationships between the MWRP and participating livestock producers. The funding for the pilot project is for a short-term project that is focused on establishing a framework, field methods, and feasibility for longer term research.

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to conduct a pilot project to establish a framework, field methods, and feasibility for longer term research. 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 perform the pilot project as defined in this Performance Work Statement, except for those items specified as government furnished property and services (see part 3). The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: The successful candidate/university will have a Principal Investigator (PI) with a background of working with livestock producers on complex research topics. The PI will initially coordinate with the USFWS and hire a biologist/technician to collect data, investigate clusters, and communicate with livestock producers. The biologist will be stationed in Alpine, AZ. The PI will need to travel to the area to discuss the project with cooperating livestock producers and the MWRP. At the end of the project, the PI is expected to deliver a full proposal that is informed by the results of the pilot project and includes basic analyses of the results of the pilot project.

1.3 Objectives: The pilot project can be divided into 3 objectives:

1. Study area identification and rancher engagement

2. GPS cluster identification and field investigation

3. Long-term study development

1.4 Scope: The successful candidate/university will initially develop a localized group of 3-4 ranchers who agree to participate in the study and finalize a field protocol and study area that is based on participating ranchers’ input. Clusters will be identified via code based on GPS locations of wolves in the study area that is provided to the successful candidate. Code is available but will need to be debugged for individual computers by the PI or technician on the project. A cluster will be defined as a collared wolf being documented at least twice over a minimum 13-hour period, with locations occurring within 200 meters of one another.

Identified clusters will be prioritized for investigation by the field biologist, with effort distributed across wolf packs and participating ranches. At each investigated cluster, the biologist will document carcass presence and type (none, adult elk, elk calf, adult cattle, cattle calf, deer, or other) and estimate the percentage of carcass remaining (0–25%, 25–

50%, or >50%). If native prey remains are present, the biologist will minimize time at the site, collect photographic documentation, and depart without disturbing the area.

Photographs will be shared with the relevant rancher later that day. If livestock remains are identified, the technician will immediately notify Wildlife Services and the rancher.

Locations suspected to be wolf dens, rendezvous sites, or food caches will not be investigated. The technician will work an 8-day on/6-day off schedule, resulting in periodic gaps in cluster investigation coverage. We anticipate that ~ 5 clusters/day can be searched within a study area. Throughout the field season, the PI will evaluate field efficiency, data utility, and workload demands, with the goal of refining methods for longer-term implementation.

Services include approximately 320 hours of work for the PI. Travel by the PI (~21 days), and ~960 hours of work by the technician. Computers for the technician and PI will need to be provided and equipped with ArcGIS software. The contractor shall accomplish the following tasks:

1. Finalize a field protocol.

2. Finalize a pilot study area

3. Meet with and gauge interest of ranchers in a localized area

4. Investigate ~ 5 clusters/day of technician work.

5. A database of cluster searches

6. A finalized full study proposal that includes analyses of results from the pilot study

1.5 Period of Performance: April 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026

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 shall not be required to work on the following

Federal 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: The contractor is responsible for conducting business in a defined schedule. Because most work will be conducted in a field setting the Government will not define hours of operation, except for Federal holidays (see 1.6.3). The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this

PWS. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed in the field in Catron County, New Mexico or Apache and Greenlee counties in Arizona.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a firm fixed price professional services contract.

1.6.7 Security Requirements: Not applicable.

1.6.7.1 PHYSICAL Security: The contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all government equipment, information and property provided for contractor use.

1.6.7.2 Key Control. Not applicable

1.6.7.3 Lock Combinations. Not applicable

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: The successful candidate/university must have a PI with a background of working with livestock producers on complex research topics. The PI must have a

PhD.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified at the time of contract award. 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. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government:

Stacey Garcia (Stacey_Garcia@fws.gov, contract manager), John Oakleaf

(John_Oakleaf@fws.gov, contract manager technical assistant). The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 8:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m, Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Contract personnel will not be required to wear or obtain badges.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: Contractor will be required to travel CONUS and within the NCR during the performance of this contract to attend meetings and setting up the pilot study. The contractor will be required to travel to off-site field locations in support of this PWS. Contractor will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and the limitation of funds specified in this contract. Travel is not expected to exceed 21 days in 3 Trips for the Principal Investigator and may involve flights and rental car expenses.

1.6.14 Other Direct Costs This category includes travel (outlined in 1.6.13).

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 mailto:Stacey_Garcia@fws.gov mailto:John_Oakleaf@fws.gov 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. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (PI). A qualified researcher with a PhD and a demonstrable history (publications) of conducting complex research topics interacting with ranchers as part of the study.

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

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

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

2.1.12. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The

Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

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

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

2.2. ACRONYMS:

ACOR Alternate Contracting Officer's Representative

AFARS Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

AR Army Regulation

CCE Contracting Center of Excellence

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)

COR Contracting Officer Representative

COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf

DA Department of the Army

DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report)

DD254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List

DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center

DOD Department of Defense

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

KO Contracting Officer

OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest

OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii)

ODC Other Direct Costs

PI Principal Investigator

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. Services: The Government will provide one researcher to assist with the project development and implementation and facilitate data access to GPS locations and current Python Script for identification of cluster locations. The Government will also have staff on site (Alpine, AZ) to assist the technician with housing and truck/equipment check in/out and policy requirements.

3.2 Facilities: The Government will provide shared housing for the field technician/biologist in

Alpine, AZ.

3.3 Utilities: The Government will provide utilities at the shared housing location. The

Contractor shall instruct employees in utilities conservation practices. The contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

3.4 Equipment: The Government will provide telemetry equipment and frequencies of the wolves in the study area and one truck for use by the field technician/biologist. To the degree necessary, the Government will train the field technician for use of the equipment. Defensive driving training and signature of volunteer agreement form will have to occur prior to utilization of the truck. The government will not provide insurance, workman’s compensation or in any other form be responsible for any injuries which result from the use of equipment during the pilot project. The government will be responsible for damages that occur to the equipment as a result of use provided that use is not deemed inappropriate or hazardous (e.g., excessive speed in a government vehicle resulting in an accident).

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide a Python script that identifies clusters and facilitates database tracking and previous SOP’s used for investigation of clusters.

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, including any insurance or workman’s compensation needed as a result of injury to an employee of the contractor.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not Applicable

4.3. Materials: Not Applicable

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall provide computers equipped with ArcGIS software for utilization by the PI and technician/biologist.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for conducting a pilot project to improve understanding of Mexican wolf interactions with livestock in Arizona and New Mexico with an emphasis on areas experiencing elevated levels of conflict. We expect the likely area chosen to occur in Catron County, New Mexico or Apache and Greenlee county in Arizona. The project is intended to support ongoing Mexican Wolf Recovery Program (Program) management by improving information and strengthening working relationships between the Program and participating livestock producers. The funding for the pilot project is for a short-term project that is focused on establishing a framework, field methods, and feasibility for longer term research, if funded. The project can be divided into the following task:

5.2. Study Area Identification and Rancher Engagement

Study area selection and rancher engagement will be conducted concurrently. The PI will consult with key personnel of the Program to identify geographic areas and wolf packs with known elevated levels of wolf–livestock conflict. Within these areas, ranchers will be identified and contacted to arrange in-person meetings at their operations.

Deliverables in this step include:

1. A finalized field protocol reviewed by the Program (due within one month of the initiation of the funding).

2. A finalized pilot study area where key considerations such as data collection and constraints, access to private property, and procedures for reporting investigations are optimized based on rancher input (due within one month of the initiation of the funding).

5.3 GPS Cluster Identification and Field Investigation

Clustered wolf locations will be identified using a Python-based script applied to wolf GPS collar data. The script has been developed but will need modification/debugging by the PI or technician for use on their individual computer. A cluster will be defined as a collared wolf being documented at least twice over a minimum 13-hour period, with locations occurring within 200 meters of one another. The raw data (GPS locations) can not be shared with the public or participating ranchers, but cluster locations and the data collected at the site are expected to be shared with participating ranchers and the Government.

Identified clusters will be prioritized for investigation by the field biologist, with effort distributed across wolf packs and participating ranches. At each investigated cluster, the biologist will document carcass presence and type (none, adult elk, elk calf, adult cattle, cattle calf, deer, or other) and estimate the percentage of carcass remaining (0–25%, 25–50%, or >50%).

If native prey remains are present, the biologist will minimize time at the site, collect photographic documentation, and depart without disturbing the area. Photographs will be shared with the relevant rancher later that day. If livestock remains are identified, the biologist will immediately notify Wildlife Services and the rancher. Follow-up procedures for livestock investigations will be further refined in coordination with participating ranchers. Ranchers will also be asked whether they believe the site would have been independently discovered in the absence of this project.

Locations suspected to be wolf dens, rendezvous sites, or food caches will not be investigated.

The field biologist will work an 8-day on/6-day off schedule, resulting in periodic gaps in cluster investigation coverage.

1. Investigate ~ 5 clusters/day of technician work.

2. Data associated with clusters investigated (due periodically, as requested).

5.4 Longer Term Study Development

Throughout the field season, the PI will evaluate field efficiency, data utility, and workload demands, with the goal of refining methods for longer-term implementation.

1. A finalized study proposal for review including analysis of results of the pilot study (due within one month of the end of the pilot study)

2. Delivery of pilot study results including data used in the analysis (due within one month from the end of the pilot study).

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS): Not applicable

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.

The contractor shall provide the deliverables described in 5.1 through

5.4.

The contractor provided the deliverables following the completion of each stage of the pilot study. Participating ranchers should remain involved in the project and feedback provided to the researchers without USFWS involvement.

Complaints from participating ranchers are listened to and results in modifications as appropriate such that the ranchers rarely (3 times or fewer) seek remedies from the USFWS.

Validated

Customer

Complaint received by

COR.

PRS # 2

The contractor shall provide data associated with cluster investigations as requested by the USFWS (see deliverables in section 5.3)

The COR (with assistance from a technical expert) can ask for cluster investigation database to evaluate performance of biologist and ensure that adequate samples are collected (i.e. clusters are being visited and results reported to ranchers).

Recommendations of improved techniques or study area can be exchanged with the PI.

The data is provided in a timely manner (< 2 weeks after request) to the COR or technical representative.

Random sampling.