A04_-_Statement_of_Work_-_Bat_Stable_Isotope_Analysis.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Commercial Service (NAICS 541715)

Hydrogen Isotope Assessment for Geographic Assignment of Indiana Bats

PR Number: 0044051232

1. General

Who:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Indiana Ecological Services Field Office (INFO) 620 South Walker Street Bloomington, IN 47403

What:

Stable hydrogen isotope analysis of Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) hair samples and geographic assignment of approximate summer catchment areas for sampled hibernacula.

Where:

Analysis will be conducted at the contractor’s accredited stable isotope laboratory. Hair samples were collected across the range of the species from approximately 10 hibernacula and will be provided to the contractor by USFWS.

1.2 Purpose / End Application:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires stable hydrogen isotope (δ²H) analyses of approximately 200 Indiana bat hair samples to evaluate the approximate summer catchment areas of individuals sampled at hibernacula across the species’ range. Calibrated δ²H values will be compared to published precipitation isotope maps (isoscapes), and geospatial probability surfaces/maps will be generated to support assignments of probable summer origin. These results will inform an upcoming species-status assessment (SSA) under the Endangered Species Act and contribute to conservation planning and management regarding population connectivity, migratory behavior, and summer-range use. This isotopic analysis will further support and complement a proposed genomic assessment of the Indiana bat that will use genetic samples collected from the same bats as the hair samples in this analysis.

1.3 Contractor Qualifications

The contractor shall demonstrate:

• Documented experience conducting δ²H analysis of keratin using high-temperature pyrolysis and IRMS (e.g., citations/references to similar publications by the contractor).

• Experience applying comparative equilibration methods and normalizing results to VSMOW–

SLAP.

• Demonstrated experience and/or familiarity in isotope-based geographic assignment, including experience generating probability surfaces/maps using recognized spatial assignment software.

• Ability to report, archive, and document analytical procedures, code, and workflows consistent with scientific best practices.

1.4 Other

This work supports USFWS responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which mandates the conservation of listed species and requires science-based evaluation of species’ condition. The ESA requires preparation and implementation of plans for the recovery of each listed species. This research supports and complements Recovery Actions 3.5.3 Conduct additional studies of Indiana bat population genetics based on sampling at hibernacula and 3.3.7 Improve understanding of the importance of autumn swarming from the 2007 Draft Indiana Bat Recovery Plan.

The contractor shall follow accepted scientific standards relevant to stable isotope ecology and shall reference published protocols for keratin isotope preparation, calibration, and assignment modeling.

If relevant, the contractor shall cite any peer-reviewed publications utilizing comparable analytical approaches.

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance

Place of Performance: at a suitable genetics lab with qualified wildlife geneticists

Period of Performance: October 2026 – December 2027

2.1 Place of Performance

Work is to be performed at the contractor site.

2.2 Period of Performance

Performance Start Date: October 1, 2026

Performance End Date: December 31, 2027

Over the past two years, INFO, in coordination with partners, has been actively collecting genetic and hair samples throughout the range of the Indiana bat. The successful recipient would need to begin processing and analyzing available samples beginning in October 2026. A limited number of additional samples may continue to be collected by FWS biologists and partners at targeted hibernacula through March 2027.

2.3 Normal duty hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Nonduty hours include week nights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.s’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).

3. Scope

3.1 Technical Requirements and Tasks

The contractor shall complete the following tasks:

Task 1: Sample Preparation

• Clean each hair sample using an accepted organic solvent wash (e.g., 2:1 chloroform:methanol) and deionized water rinse.

• Dry samples to constant mass and homogenize them to ensure representative subsampling.

Task 2: δ²H Isotope Analysis

• Apply comparative equilibration to correct for exchangeable hydrogen.

• Use internationally calibrated keratin standards that bracket expected δ²H values.

• Measure δ²H using high-temperature pyrolysis IRMS.

• Normalize all data to the VSMOW–SLAP scale.

• Provide accuracy, precision, and QC metrics for all analytical runs.

Task 3: Spatial Assignment Modeling

• Compare δ²H hair values to published precipitation δ²H isoscapes.

• Generate probability surfaces/maps indicating likely summer origins.

• Clearly identify all computational tools, models, software packages, and code used in the assignment process.

Task 4: Reporting

• Provide a written technical report summarizing analytical methods, calibration, QC procedures, data interpretation, and spatial assignment outcomes.

• Include copies of probability surfaces/maps.

4. Deliverables

Before the end of the performance period (Dec. 31, 2027), the contractor shall submit each of the following deliverables:

• Final δ²H dataset (CSV/Excel) with uncertainties and metadata.

• Full documentation of sample preparation, calibration procedures, QC results, and analytical workflow.

• Final geospatial assignment probability surfaces/maps for all applicable samples.

• Final technical report summarizing findings.

• • Return or disposal of remaining samples as directed by USFWS.

In addition, the contractor shall provide brief monthly updates on the progress of deliverables to the primary POC at the Indiana Ecological Services Field Office via email and/or calls, with a final written technical report on file by the close of award.

The contractor shall provide an electronic scientific technical report (PDF) detailing the methods, results, and relevant discussion of the estimated summer catchment areas of sampled Indiana bat hibernacula from the hair hydrogen isotope analysis. This report should be written in a similar style and format as a manuscript being prepared for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The findings within the report may be published at some later point, but this is not a requirement under this award.

5. Data Management Plan

All resulting δ²H data, metadata, analytical documentation, calibration files, and all code/scripts used in spatial assignment modeling shall be provided to USFWS prior to project completion.

Digital files shall be delivered in open, non-proprietary formats whenever possible. Probability surfaces/maps shall be provided in GIS-compatible formats (e.g., GeoTIFF, ESRI package).

All data must be archived by the contractor for a minimum of five years following completion of the work.

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

6.1 GFE/GFI Provided

No equipment is furnished. USFWS will provide all bat hair samples and associated metadata.

6.2 Limitations

Samples must be handled according to USFWS instructions. No destructive procedures other than approved isotopic preparation may be conducted.

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 Acceptance Criteria

Government acceptance is contingent upon:

• Delivery of all items listed in Section 4.

• Documentation sufficiently detailed to allow replication of analytical results.

• Successful normalization to VSMOW–SLAP and acceptable QC performance.

• Receipt of final probability surfaces/maps and technical report.

8. Quality Control / Quality Assurance

• QC procedures shall follow standard laboratory practices for stable isotope analysis, including use of reference materials, blanks, duplicates, and drift control.

• The contractor shall document QC results and provide a clear summary table of precision, accuracy, and calibration performance.

• Assignment modeling QC shall include documentation of model inputs, assumptions, and validation steps.

9. Technical Coordinators

9.1 Primary contract POC.

Indiana Bat Recovery Lead:

Andrew King Deputy Field Supervisor Indiana Ecological Service Field Office 620 South Walker Street Bloomington, IN 47404 Email: andrew_king@fws.gov Phone: 812-902-1809

9.2 Other technical contacts.

Region 3 White-nose Syndrome Coordinator:

Richard Geboy Fish and Wildlife Biologist mailto:andrew_king@fws.gov

Indiana Ecological Service Field Office 620 South Walker Street Bloomington, IN 47403 Email: richard_geboy@fws.gov Phone: 812-902-1796

Program Manager:

Susan Cooper Field Supervisor Indiana Ecological Service Field Office 620 South Walker Street Bloomington, IN 47404 Email: susan_e_cooper@fws.gov Phone: 812-902-1792 mailto:richard_geboy@fws.gov mailto:susan_e_cooper@fws.gov