A04_PWS_AIM_Terrestrial_ElyFuels.docx

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Ely District Hazardous Fuels Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring Surveys Performance Work Statement (PWS)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Ely District is collecting Terrestrial Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) data to document effectiveness of hazardous fuels reduction within the Ely District BLM. The AIM strategy is one of the approved monitoring techniques for land health monitoring.

This scope of work is for Terrestrial AIM data collection. The requisite scope of work includes up to 80 points in the 2026 field season, as reflected in Table 1. There will be 60 points awarded as the base points, an additional 20 points may be awarded as option points subject to available funds.

2. BACKROUND

2.1 Period of Performance

The period of performance for this project is 3/16/2025 through 01/30/2027.

2.2 Regulatory Guidance

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting data at targeted and randomly distributed points on BLM administered lands throughout the Ely District within Nevada as depicted in Table 1. 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 sagebrush shape contingent method associated with the Line Point Intercept Core Method. See Section 3.2.2 for details on contingent and supplemental data collection methods. Data collection shall be implemented at appropriate time windows for vegetation expression as detailed in Table 1. Revisit plots will not require the completion of a soil pit or the plot characterization form. The number of plots that will require a soil pit and the completion of the plot characterization form including determination of soil component and ecological site are described in Table 1 under the “Number of Plots with Soil Pits” column.

Table 1. Workload of plots per District and Project

2.3 Project Timeline and Deadlines

This project shall follow the timeline presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Project Timeline and Deadlines

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. Data collection points may be up to 3 miles from a road (including 4WD or jeep roads) and may be on slopes as steep as 50%. Accessing sample point locations sometimes includes difficult off-trail route finding and planning ahead of time using a variety of tools such as topographic maps and aerial photos to locate the best and safest routes to sample locations. Weather conditions are variable and can include extreme heat and cold, monsoonal thunderstorms that can create flash-flooding, high wind speeds, and dust storms. Hazards created by wildlife and humans could be encountered. 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 rejection of sample points, possible hazardous conditions, and/or protection of local resources. In addition to attending the BLM provided field training, contractor personnel shall attend a general orientation at the local field offices or virtually to be informed of local issues, safety measures, and resource concerns.

3. SCOPE / TASKS

3.1 TASK 1 - COORDINATION

Once the contract is awarded, coordination is required between the contractor, the Ely District Office Lead and National AIM Team as described in Table 3.

3.1.1 Post Award Kick Off Meeting

After award, the contractor shall coordinate a meeting with the COR and Ely District BLM Monitoring lead to discuss the survey design, field methods, training, and to answer any questions related to the monitoring effort. March 2026 is a recommended timeframe for the kickoff meeting.

3.1.2 Pre-Collection Meetings

At least one month prior to data collection, the contractor shall coordinate additional meetings with the COR and the Ely District Office lead to discuss sample order strategy, reach evaluation criteria, and to answer any remaining questions related to the monitoring effort. Sample points shall be available in ArcGIS Online (AGOL) at least 30 days prior to the start of data collection. If a sample point 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).

Lead

Equipment purchasing, calibration, set-up

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

3.1.3 Hitch Plans

The contractor shall provide the COR and Ely District Office lead with a hitch plan including dates of field work, planned sample points, planned access routes prior to each hitch, and alternate sample points in case the planned sample points are rejected or temporarily inaccessible. In order to ensure the Ely District has time to review and comment on the hitch plan, the draft hitch plan shall be provided to the COR and the Ely District Office lead at least six days 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.

3.2 TASK 2 – DATA COLLECTION

3.2.1 Timeframe

Data collection shall begin as specified in Section 2.3 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’ and according to the dates presented in Table 1.

Data collection for this project shall occur between May 15th and September 30th.

Data collection must occur within these time windows with few exceptions (e.g., for unique weather conditions or due to wildfire activity preventing access to plot locations). Additionally, within these time windows, hitch plans shall be constructed to maximize optimal vegetation expression due to variations in local conditions, i.e. lower elevation points should be sampled earlier in the season, and higher elevation points generally later in the season. 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.

3.2.2 Data Methods

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 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.

Samples points designated as revisits (not to be confused with revisit designs) shall be identified with appropriate changes in method collection and with guidance on office plot monument preferences.

3.2.3 Core Methods

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 (required only for new plots as designated in Table 2)

· Completion of all relevant fields in the Plot Characterization form included in the Monitoring Manual and Data Management Protocol.

· A soil pit dug to 50-100cm in diameter and to a depth of at least 70cm or to the depth where a restrictive layer such as a petrocalcic horizon or bedrock is encountered. The soil pit shall be placed in an area representative of the plot as a whole. The following soil pit attributes are required for each horizon described: horizon depths, percent rock fragments, soil texture, percent clay, soil color (dry or moist), soil structure, and effervescence.

· Determination of the soil series (or other map unit component) and ecological site in the field at the plot location using soil map unit, ecological site and official soil series descriptions.

· Plot Observation

· Completion of all relevant fields in the Plot Observation form included in the Monitoring Manual and Data Management Protocol.

· Averaged GPS locations of plot center and the starts and ends of transects

· BLM staff may provide information on disturbance, management, and treatment history of areas where plots are located to populate in the notes section of this form. If the BLM provides this information in the form of a word document or spreadsheet by May 1, 2026, then the contractor shall enter that information into the form. If BLM does not provide this information by May 1, 2026, then the contractor shall use field observations to populate the form.

· Photos

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

· A photo shall be taken from the start of each transect facing away (total of three photos, one for each transect) and one photo of soil pit. Additionally, if transect photos are blocked by vegetation or other obstructions making it difficult to see the transect, then additional transect photos shall be taken.

· Each transect photo will include a photo board with information on the site, date, Plot ID, transect number and transect azimuth. The photo board shall be placed at the start (or end if applicable) of the transect. If the photo board is not visible at the start (or end) of the transect due to rocks or vegetation, then it shall be moved slightly to the right or left, or no more than 1m in front of the transect start or end. If the photo board is still obscured, then a person may hold it. The person should minimize their size in the photo as much as possible and turn their head away and be wearing appropriate attire for field work in the photo.

· Line-point Intercept (LPI)

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

· Plants shall be identified to the species level whenever possible with the exception of Artemisia tridentata and Artemisia arbuscula which should be identified to the sub-species. For plants that cannot be immediately identified to the species level, the completion of an unknown plants form is required. Photos of unknown plants shall be taken, and collection of specimens from outside the plot area can be taken, if it is certain that the plant being collected is not a BLM sensitive or threatened or endangered species. See section 3.2.7 for additional guidelines on plant identification and unknown plants.

· Soil surface codes for rock fragments shall be collected using the full classification system of gravel, cobble, stone and boulder.

· Vegetation Height

· Vegetation heights shall be recorded at every 5th LPI observation, e.g. every 2.5m.

· 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). Less than six samples may be collected along a line while adhering to the move protocol.

· 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. For plants that cannot be immediately identified to the species level, the completion of an unknown plants form is required. Photos of unknown plants shall be taken, and collection of specimens from outside the plot area can be taken, if it is certain that the plant being collected is not a BLM sensitive or threatened or endangered species. See section 3.2.7 for additional guidelines on plant identification and unknown plants.

An estimate of the abundance of each species on plot 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

3.2.4 Supplemental Methods

Supplemental 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.

· Plant Density

· For Ely District Fuels projects, the Plant Density supplemental protocol will be implemented on all plots. Perennial plant density counts by species will be recorded at five 1x1m quadrats along each transect for a total of 15 quadrats per plot. This protocol is described in Appendix A. Native annuals and seeded forbs will also be included in plant density.

· Tree Density

· The tree density supplemental protocol will be implemented on all plots. Tree species by size class will be counted from four subplots and microplots superimposed on the 30-meter radius AIM plot. The protocol is described in Appendix B.

No other contingent indicators or supplemental indicators shall be collected.

3.2.5 Plot Monumentation

For any plots visited for the first time (i.e. those that require plot characterization), or any revisit plots with missing monumentation, plots shall be marked as follows:

· Plot center shall be monumented with capped or bent rebar.

· Plot center rebar shall be marked with a 3.25” diameter metal monument cap engraved with the Plot ID.

The contractor is responsible for providing rebar and cap supplies for monumentation. For revisit plots, the crews shall search for a minimum of 30 minutes for previously established monumentation before re-establishing new monumentation.

3.2.6 Monitoring Methods Questions

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 Ely District Office lead, if further guidance is needed.

3.2.7 Plant Species Identification Guidelines

· Contractor is responsible for ensuring that data collectors can identify local plants to the species or sub-species, either by providing specialized local information or training, or by requiring formal educational or work experience background in field botany for data collectors.

· If species are encountered during data collection that are unusual for the area or habitat in which they are being recorded, then those species shall be recorded as unknowns and unknown plants forms shall be completed. This includes species without herbarium records or other research-grade observations within 50km of the plot location, or for species that would be unusual for the ecological site that they occur within. Examples of this include an obligate wetland species occurring in an upland area, or a species known to be restricted to alpine environments located in a lower montane or valley floor setting.

· New unknown plants forms shall be completed for every plot in which they are encountered (i.e. the same unknown plant code shall not be repeated across multiple plots). Dead beyond recognition codes shall not be used.

3.2.8 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.

3.2.9 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 oversample points, as directed. Contractor shall communicate with the District Project lead when field rejecting points. Points shall be rejected if they are greater than 3 miles walking distance or on slopes greater than 50 percent and implementing the move protocol as described in the Data Management Protocol does not place them in an area with a slope less than 50 percent. There may also be additional project-specific rejection and moving criteria.

3.2.10 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 ASSURANCE, 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). 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

Data collectors must calibrate as described in the Terrestrial AIM Data Management Protocol. This includes calibrating every 30 days, or when a crew moves to a new vegetation type (e.g from a shrubland to a grassland), or a new crew member joins the crew. Calibration must be completed for the following methods: Line Point Intercept, Height, Gap Intercept, and Species Inventory.

The contractor shall submit calibration data in Survey123 using the calibration forms. These calibration plots will be seen in real time as soon as the information is uploaded for the Ely District Office lead 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 this can be found in the most current version of the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems and the most current version of the Terrestrial Data Management Protocol in the Field Crew Data Management section.

3.3.3 Quality Assurance Visits

Upon request, the contractor shall allow BLM employees such as Ely District Office leads and/or stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts.

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 Protocol found at: https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources.

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The contractor shall furnish the following 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/Survey123 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. Tablets shall include a 10 megapixel or better digital camera and a GPS system with 5m accuracy.

· Professional grade compass with foldable mirror

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

· Clinometer

· Shovel

· 2mm soil sieve

· Transect tapes and stakes

· Soil Stability kits

· Munsell soil color chart

· NRCS Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils

· Soil knife

· Soil pit tape

· HCL for effervescence tests

· Plant press

· Plant ID books

· Pin flags

· 1m plant density frame or folding rulers

4.2 Field Vehicles

4.2.1 Four Wheel Drive

Field vehicles: 4-wheel drive (4X4) vehicles with high clearance are required to access some sampling locations. 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. UTV/ATVs must remain on designated roads and trails. Off-trail cross-country use of UTVs/ATVs is not allowed. Additionally, some roads are designated for street-legal vehicles only. Motorized access to wilderness or wilderness study areas will not be allowed, unless by written permission of the appropriate BLM Field Office manager. It is the responsibility of the contractor to know the rules and regulations when it comes to use of UTV/ATVs.

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:

· Bachelor’s 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 two years of professional experience managing complex projects and/or field crews relevant to the collection of terrestrial rangeland data.

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.

5.2 Field crew

A minimum of two individuals, forming one crew, is required at each monitoring site. Each crew will have one crew lead, responsible for the contractor data collection crew responsibilities noted in Table 3. For previously visited plots that do not require a soil pit, a crew size of two is adequate and recommended. While not required, it is recommended to utilize a three-person crew for newly established plots that require a soil pit.

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 Experience in plant identification, capable of identifying 95% of plants encountered to the species level. Qualifications may be met through education, experience, or a combination. Conducts field-based monitoring.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Botany, Biology, Ecology, or Rangeland Ecology or other Natural Resources with at least 9 semester hours in plant or biological sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, and plant ecology are acceptable subjects.

Experience: minimum of 1 year field data collection identifying plants.

· Field Soil Scientist Experience in classifying soils by texture in the field. Qualifications may be met through education, experience, certification, or a combination. Conducts field-based monitoring.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Plant or Soil Science or similar with at least 9 semester hours in soils. Courses in areas such as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility are acceptable subjects.

Experience: minimum of 1 year field data collection describing soils

5.3 Terrestrial AIM Core Methods Training

Data collectors and crew managers responsible for Terrestrial AIM data collection must have successfully completed a BLM led Terrestrial AIM Core methods training during the year in which data will be collected. Contractor staff shall complete online training materials before attending field methods training. In rare circumstances, staff responsible for data collection will be hired after all of the trainings have been concluded. All data collectors must be trained before collecting and submitting data. The contractor must communicate all staff changes throughout the field season with the Ely District Monitoring Lead so that contingent training options can be identified. Information about these trainings is available at https://www.blm.gov/aim/training.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION AND PROPERTY

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 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. PAYMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

The following (Table 5) includes the required deliverables to be completed before the Government will accept services to allow for payments prior to the end of the period of performance:

8.1 Table 5. Payment and Deliverable Schedule.

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

image1.png