A04_Statement_of_Work_FINAL_(2).docx

Statement of Work Aerial Observer and Mentor Services to support Migratory Bird Monitoring Programs

1. GENERAL AND BACKGROUND

Aerial surveys provide population data critical to the management of waterfowl, bald and golden eagles, and many other hunted and non-hunted migratory bird species in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Aerial surveys conducted by the Division of Migratory Bird Management directly inform a wide variety of highly-influential regulatory decisions.

NOTE: This solicitation does not fall under the new policy for Non-fleet Aviation Acquisition since we are not seeking non-fleet aviation or flight support, rather seek the services of a qualified and experienced aerial waterfowl observer.

2. BACKGROUND

The DMBM annually conducts several broad-scale aerial migratory bird surveys that involve numerous air and ground crews operating simultaneously across North America for up to five consecutive weeks. These programs require the participation of numerous trained and experienced aerial observers. The number of experienced observers required for some operations frequently exceeds the ability of the Division of Migratory Bird Management to support. In order to ensure these critical activities are completed annually, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Manual establishes a procedure whereby the Director annually requests that each Regional Director seek qualified Regional participants to fully staff aerial crews. During certain years, a sufficient number of qualified Regional volunteers are not available to meet the Division’s needs. In addition, after aircrews have been assembled, it is not unusual for an observer to have to withdraw from participation due to personal, work, or family crisis. This may happen shortly before the survey or even during the course of the survey. The short time frame to secure a replacement, the unique skills and experience required, and the long-duration of the detail make it challenging and even impossible to backfill observers in such cases which effects data availability and quality of data for decision making.

In addition, in some cases where new crew leader-pilots are being introduced to surveys or new survey areas, it is highly advantageous to safety and efficiency to pair that pilot with an observer who has experience conducting that specific survey for the Service and/or has experience in the crew area to surveyed. While this is not a requirement of all observers, there are instances where previous survey or crew area experience of the observer are critical.

3. WORK TO BE PERFORMED BY CONTRACTOR/CONSULTANT

A cost reimbursable blanket purchase agreement (BPA) is needed efficiently secure the professional services of a contractor/consultant(s) to serve as an aerial observer(s) during DMBM aerial surveys when sufficient qualified Service personnel are not available. In some cases, it is advantageous to the Service to secure contractor/consultant observers and place them in a stand-by status. In the event that a currently assigned observer becomes incapacitated or otherwise unavailable or commitments from a sufficient number of qualified Service observers cannot be obtained prior to start of the survey, a contractor/consultant observer in stand-by status may be called into active service. In stand-by status, the contractor/consultant(s) must maintain aviation training currency and be ready to deploy to the field rapidly if called upon by the DMBM.

The contractor will be required to conduct low-level aerial surveys performed from land and amphibious aircraft. Expertise in taxonomic identification from fast moving aircraft is required and will be determined by the particular survey to be supported. Major avian taxa surveyed by aircraft include waterfowl and other waterbirds, sandhill and whooping cranes, and bald and golden eagles. The consultant/contractor will be required to gather and compile data during aerial surveys, consistent with the methods and practices used by the Service, DMBM, and Branch of Migratory Bird Surveys (BMBS). Some training on standard operating practices will be provided for specific surveys, however the contractor/consultant is expected to have general expertise in taxonomic identification and survey data collection. If mentor services are requested, the contractor/consultant must have prior experience during the survey for which the support is requested and/or the survey crew area in which assistance is needed.

If the survey requires international travel (waterfowl surveys), the consultant/contractor shall possess a valid United States Passport necessary for foreign travel during the period of performance. All travel arrangements are to be made by the consultant/contractor. No travel authorizations will be issued by the Government. Proposed rates for all travel by the contractor/ consultant and payment shall be in accordance with the established GSA Rates for travel within the USA (CONUS) and for travel outside the USA (OCONUS). The Total line item Cost for Travel and Miscellaneous Expenses shall not be exceeded without prior modification to the Contract. All travel expenses are to be submitted through the consultant/contractor’s invoice for reimbursement. The contractor/consultant shall make every effort to keep travel expenses to a minimum. Flight information for the required services and consultation thereof will be dependent upon weather conditions and aircraft availability. The contractor must meet minimum DOI aviation training standards for an aircrew member (including A-312/A-325R if required by the operation) as laid out in OPM-4 (https://www.doi.gov/aviation/library/opm). Any adjustments to the period of performance and work plans will be coordinated between the contractor/consultant and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Technical Point of Contact.

4. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED MATERIALS/SERVICES

The Service provides the coordination of diplomatic and country clearances. The Service also provides aircraft and necessary personal protection equipment (PPE) as well as all computer systems and other devices necessary for the collection and transmission of survey data.

5. SUMMARY OF MILESTONE DUE DATES AND PAYMENT TERMS

The period of performance for the required services will be established based on need associated with a particular BPA call. If the survey is completed prior to the end of the period of performance, the contractor is entitled to payment for only those dates worked. Flights and consultation will be dependent on weather and aircraft availability. Work will be accomplished as directed by Fish and Wildlife Service employees. Contractor/consultant observers in a stand-by status are paid a flat rate of $50/day from the beginning of the period of performance until the end or the period of performance or the day that the contractor/consultant is notified that they will not be called into active service.

6. DELIVERABLES

· Low-level aerial surveys of migratory birds from aircraft. Taxonomic expertise will vary depending on the survey need and will be stipulated in individual calls to the BPA.

· Participate as an Observer and/or Mentor, as required, to Service biologist-pilots who will be conducting low-level aerial surveys for the first time or in unfamiliar survey regions (i.e., crew areas).

· Familiarize Service biologist-pilots on principles, practices, and techniques of specific Service aerial surveys of migratory birds, as needed, depending on the experience level of the biologist-pilot who the contractor is assigned to.

· Instruct and assist in compiling data that during the surveys, acting as a biologist-observer.

7. CONTRACTOR’S QUALIFICATION

a) Demonstrated experience and training in aerial migratory bird surveys with taxonomic expertise relevant to a survey.

b) Knowledge of data collection procedures and standard operating practices of migratory bird surveys.

c) Knowledge of data summarization and data quality control procedures used during the survey that is a migratory bird survey.

d) Compliance with all DOI aviation training requirements (including A312/A325R when required by the specific operation).

e) Experience in the identification of migratory birds to species from aircraft operated at 150-500 feet in altitude and at 90 knots groundspeed.

f) Experience and training in established crew resource management practices for low-level survey operations,

g) Knowledge of risk assessment and decision-making procedures as applied to go-no/go decision making for low-level aerial waterfowl surveys.

f) If mentor services are requested under a specific call to the BPA, experience during the specific Service migratory bird survey to be conducted and/or in the specific survey region (i.e., crew area) to which the contractor/consultant will be assigned.

8. PROJECT COMPLETION/DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Flights and consultation will be dependent on survey assignment, weather, and aircraft availability and will be accomplished as directed by Service employees/crew leaders. Primary periods when calls under the BPA could be anticipated are December to April for bald eagle surveys, May to June for waterfowl surveys, and August to September for golden eagle surveys. Calls during other time periods to support surveys will be possible but less frequent. Typical survey assignments will run from one to 5 weeks. Adjustments to schedules and work plans will be coordinated between vendor and the Service Technical Point of Contact, as necessary.

9. ADDRESS FOR DELIVERABLES

All deliverables shall be submitted to the following addresses within the specified timeframes.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Attention: Mark Koneff, Chief, Branch of Migratory Bird Surveys Division of Migratory Bird Management 69 Grove Street Extension York Village Building 6 Suite C Orono, ME 04469 301-980-0125

10. TRAVEL EXPENSES

Travel expenses will be paid to the vendor as stated in the quote.

11. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of each call under this BPA will be determined by the survey to which the contractor/consultant will be assigned. Phenological, weather, or equipment induced delays in the survey could necessitate extension of the period of performance end date.

12. LOCATION OF WORK

All states, provinces, and territories of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

13. TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LIAISONS

Technical Point of Contact Mark Koneff, Chief, Branch of Migratory Bird Surveys Division of Migratory Bird Management 69 Grove Street Extension York Village Building 6 Suite C Orono, ME 04469 301-980-0125 Mark_koneff@fws.gov

Administrative Point of Contact Patricia Stover, Administrative Officer Division of Migratory Bird Management 11510 American Holly Drive Laurel, MD 20708 301-497-5881 Patricia_stover@fws.gov