A04_Statement_of_Work_06_20_2024.docx

Statement of Work, 06/20/2024 Background Heavy browsing by white-tailed deer at Fire Island National Seashore (the Seashore) has resulted in adverse impacts on native vegetation across Fire Island as well as on natural and cultural resources at the William Floyd Estate. A Record of Decision was signed by the National Park Service’s (NPS) Northeast Regional Director for the Seashore’s White-tailed Deer Management Plan/EIS on April 28, 2016. One of the primary goals of the plan/EIS is to alleviate this browsing pressure and restore natural forest regeneration. To work towards achieving this goal, a large part of the plan’s selected alternative is to use deer population management - primarily sharpshooting - to reduce deer densities across Fire Island and at the William Floyd Estate to 20-25 deer/square mile, and once achieved, work to maintain this deer density. Deer population reduction is the first step that needs to be taken in order to reach the Seashore’s objectives and targets, which include the natural regeneration of forests.

Scope

The expectation for this contract is the implementation of deer reduction at the Seashore, both on NPS lands on Fire Island and at the William Floyd Estate. The initial deer density goal at both sites is 20-25 deer per square mile.

Objectives

The primary goal of the contract effort is to reduce deer population densities at the William Floyd Estate and Fire Island (island-wide) towards 20-25 deer per square mile by sharpshooting methods approved in the Record of Decision.

For the William Floyd Estate, the objective is to remove approximately 60 deer (30 – 90 deer) through sharpshooting methods.

For NPS lands on Fire Island, the objective is to remove approximately 90 deer (50 – 130 deer) through sharpshooting methods.

These numbers provide a reasonable estimate for deer reduction; however, these numbers may change based on technical and logistic feasibility of deer removal at both locations, in addition to environmental factors during the period of performance.

Work Requirements

Qualified contractors with demonstrated expertise and training in the implementation of successful wildlife and deer management actions - including firearms handling, direct removal techniques, carcass processing, and wildlife capture and handling - will be used to implement this deer reduction action. They are expected to work with Seashore staff to coordinate all details related to sharpshooting actions, such as setting up bait stations, locating deer, sharpshooting, and preparation of carcasses for disposal or donation. Every effort will be made to ensure humane treatment of individual deer.

Sharpshooting will occur during late fall and winter months, when deer are more visible and there are few visitors at the Seashore. Sharpshooters will be located in elevated positions (e.g., tree stands) or in clearly marked, high-clearance vehicles traveling on trails and/or roads on Fire Island and within the William Floyd Estate.

In most locations, high-power, small-caliber rifles will be used at close range. Nonlead ammunition will be used, to be compliant with NPS policy. During sharpshooting activities, noise-suppression devices and night vision equipment may be used to reduce disturbance to the public. Activities will be conducted in compliance with all federal firearm laws administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Areas where sharpshooting will occur will be closed to all except authorized personnel. Seashore personnel will patrol public areas to ensure compliance with the closures and any other public safety measures that may be needed. The public will be notified of Seashore closures by appropriate means.

Temporary bait stations will be used to attract deer to safe removal locations. The contractor will recommend areas and they will then be placed in Seashore-approved locations, away from public-use areas, to maximize the efficiency and safety of the direct reduction program. The contractor is only responsible for recommending locations for temporary bait stations; Seashore staff will bait and maintain these stations prior to sharpshooting as recommended by the contractor.

The contractor will be responsible for field dressing each carcass the night of sharpshooting. In addition, the contractor will remove the head from each carcass, except for fawns.

The contractor will be responsible for covering costs of a processor to butcher the meat and package in a way suitable for donation to a local food bank. Seashore staff will then be responsible for the donation of meat to a local food bank, disposal of waste or carcasses and collecting chronic wasting disease samples (obex and retropharyngeal lymph node samples) from the heads to be submitted for diagnostic testing.

Access to sites will require the contractor to have a 4WD vehicle to drive in sandy soils on ocean beaches.

Delivery

The contractor must implement deer reduction, and remove deer at the approximate numbers identified in the objectives for each location. The deer must be culled humanely via sharpshooting, field dressed at a Seashore-approved staging area, and all waste be bagged for disposal appropriately.

The contractor must begin to implement deer reduction shortly after the contract is awarded and be completed before March 31, 2025.

The contractor must keep the Seashore’s Park Biologist informed (daily) on the total number of deer removed from each site. A summary report outlining the numbers, location, sex and age composition of each individual deer removed during this project must be sent to the Seashore’s Park Biologist

Government-Furnished Property

Government property will be used to support the operation (4WD trucks, boats, barges, and storage containers for corn used as bait) but the contractor will not be directly provided this property.

Security

Seashore staff will be involved in the operation of this project, by protecting human health and safety during sharpshooting operations due to the nature of the operation. 1-2 NPS Park Rangers (Law Enforcement) will be assigned to work with the contractors to ensure areas are closed, manage the public, be in communication with the local precinct and police departments and provide emergency medication treatment (if needed). This in-kind support is necessary to ensure a safe deer reduction operation.

Place of Performance

These actions would occur separately at two sites managed by the Seashore: the William Floyd Estate (located on Long Island) and NPS lands on Fire Island.

On Fire Island, NPS lands suitable for sharpshooting (from west to east) include: Lighthouse tract, Sailors Haven (excluding the Sunken Forest Preserve), Carrington Tract, Talisman, Blue Point, Watch Hill and the Fire Island Wilderness. In addition, deer reduction would occur at the William Floyd Estate which is a separate unit located on Long Island.

Sharpshooting will not occur within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling or structure without the owner’s consent, compliant with New York State law.

Period of Performance

The contractor must begin to implement deer reduction shortly after the contract is awarded and be completed before March 31, 2025. Anticipated work hours is around 350 hours. 4 people at about 87.5 hours each.