A05_R_W_AIM_Alaska_Data_Collection_PWS_2025-2029.pdf

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

ALASKA REGION

RIPARIAN & WETLAND AIM

Eastern Interior Field Office

Central Yukon Field Office

Anchorage Field Office (Kobuk-Seward)

Contract

Solicitation 140L0624R0035

BLM ALASKA REGION

Issued 2024

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

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Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction 5

1.1 Project Timeline and Deadlines 9

2.0 Background/Summary of Work 9

3.0 Scope 10

3.1 Task 1 – Coordination 10

3.1.1 Project Lead Requirements 12

3.2 Task 2 – Data Collection 12

3.2.1 Core Methods 13

3.2.2 Contingent Methods 13

3.2.4 Supplemental methods 14

3.2.5 Data Collection Guidelines 14

3.2.5.1 Monumenting 15

3.3 Task 3 – Quality Control and Data Tracking 15

3.3.1 Field Orientation and Calibration 15

3.3.2 Plot Tracking 16

3.3.3 Implementation Report 16

3.4 Task 4 – Provide Data to the BLM 16

4.0 Equipment 16

5.0 Schedule 17

6.0 Task Key Personnel 17

7.0 Government Furnished Property 18

8.0 Contractor Furnished Property 18

9.0 Contractor Performance Assessment 18

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10.0 Quality 18

11.0 Identification of Contract Employees 20

12.0 BLM Contacts 20

13.0 Attachments 21

14.0 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors 21

14.1 Evaluation Commercial Items 21

14.2 Evaluation Factors 22

14.2.1 Factor 1: Hitch Schedule 22

14.2.2 Factor 2: Number of Crews 22

14.2.3 Factor 3: Project Plan 22

14.2.4 Factor 4: Past Performance 22

14.2.5 Factor 5: Price 22

14.3 Proposal Submission 22

Appendix 1. Alaska 2025 Riparian-Wetland AIM Protocol Supplement 24

Appendix 2. Active Layer Depth Supplemental Indicator 31

Active layer depth and moss depth 31

Appendix 3. Alaska AIM Lichen Supplemental Indicators May 2023 32

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

1.0 Introduction

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 70 million acres of land in the state of Alaska. The

BLM is mandated to conduct land health monitoring to document effectiveness of decisions established in Resource Management Plans, to determine treatment effectiveness, or for habitat evaluation, among other applications. The Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy is one of the approved monitoring strategies for land health monitoring. As part of the land health monitoring program, the

BLM in Alaska will be collecting Riparian and Wetland AIM data therefore this Contract is for data collection and support for the 2025-2029 field seasons.

The contractor will be responsible for collecting data at randomly distributed points on BLM administered lands throughout field offices and project areas described in Table 1 (CLIN 00010) and

Table 2 (if CLIN 00020 is funded). Table 3 outlines a proposed sampling schedule. Data collection will occur in accordance with the Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems, found on the www.blm.gov/aim/resources website. Sample plot coordinates will be provided to the selected contractor as specified in Project Timelines and Deadlines (Table 4), at least two months prior to the start of data collection (in Alaska, data collection generally starts in July, but exceptions can be made for specific climatic and hydrologic regimes). The contractor shall provide support in terms of coordination, pre-season support, data collection, data quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), and data submission as explicitly specified in the roles and responsibilities table (See Scope section below). All processes shall occur in accordance with the most recent versions of information posted on the www.blm.gov/aim/resources website.

Table 1: Points per project and methods requested (EIFO and CYFO)

CLIN 00010

Project Name Collection

Dates Random Points Methods Requested

Eastern Interior Field Office

July 1 –

August 31 20 to 30 plots

Core methods Contingent: in situ water quality Supplemental: active layer depth, lichen cover/utilization

Central Yukon Field Office

July 1 –

August 31 20 to 30 plots

Core methods Contingent: in situ water quality Supplemental: active layer depth, lichen cover/utilization

Within the Eastern Interior Field Office project area, plots will be randomly located on BLM managed lands within the White Mountains, 40-Mile, and Draanjik planning areas shown in Figure 1

(Steese area was completed in 2023). Geospatial data and web map services showing project boundaries can also be found at https://www.blm.gov/services/geospatial/GISData/alaska. Expect that points will fall across this entire project area. Viable locations for base camp operations include, but are not limited to, Central, Nome Creek, and Chicken. The Draanjik planning area will likely require basing out of Circle, however, BLM does not have any facilities in this location. The National Park

Service maintains a remote camp at Coal Creek (44 miles east of Circle), which may be available as a base camp location.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources https://www.blm.gov/services/geospatial/GISData/alaska

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Within the Central Yukon Field Office project, plots will be randomly located within the project boundary shown in Figure 2. The project boundary is based upon the Unified Ecoregions of Alaska

(Nowacki et al. 2001, https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr2002297). Expect that points will fall in

BLM-managed land across this entire project area. Viable locations for base camp operations include, but are not limited to, Coldfoot (BLM Marion Creek Administrative site), BLM 7-Mile

Administrative Site (just north of the Yukon River, 65.938622, -149.854531), Galena, Tanana, Ruby, and Lake Minchumina.

Figure 1. Map showing the Eastern Interior Field Office project area extent.

https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr2002297

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Figure 2. Map showing the Central Yukon Field Office project area extent.

Table 2: Points per project and methods requested (Kobuk-Seward)

CLIN 00020

Project Name Collection

Dates Random Points Methods Requested

Anchorage Field

Office – Kobuk-

Seward Peninsula

July 15 –

August 31

20 to 30 plots Core methods Contingent: in situ water quality Supplemental: active layer depth, lichen cover/utilization

The Kobuk-Seward Peninsula project is described as a separate Option (CLIN 00020). If funded, plots will be randomly located within the sampling areas shown in Figure 3. For each sampling year, expect that points will fall across one of the four sampling areas. Spike camps along the road system at Tisuk River (64.97149, -166.200221) and Quartz Creek (65.4059331, -164.6557247) have been used for past AIM projects within the Kobuk-Seward West and East project areas. Kotzebue is a viable base location for accessing the Kobuk-Seward North project area. Dahl Creek (66.9425614, -

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

156.8913686) and Bear Creek airstrips (65.4059331, -164.6557247) are viable locations for accessing the Kobuk-Seward Northeast project area.

Across all project areas, accommodations at BLM administrative sites may be available but cannot be guaranteed.

A proposed 5-year schedule is outlined in the Table 3. Locations where sampling has previously taken place can be viewed online at the AIM data portal.

Figure 3 Map showing the Kobuk-Seward Peninsula project area extent.

https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d96ef73e800749ba8e25443661ecc55c

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Table 3. Proposed 5-year sampling schedule

Proposed Schedule

2025-2029

2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 project area base camp project area base camp project area base camp project area base camp project area base camp

Eastern Interior Field Office (EIFO) 40-Mile

Chicken Field Station

40-Mile/ White Mts

Chicken/ Nome Creek Draanjik Circle Draanjik Circle Draanjik

Coal Creek.

NPS camp 44 miles east of Circle

Central Yukon Field Office (CYFO) Ray Mts

Marion Creek Admin Site

Ray Mts(s), Kusko Mts, Yukon Lowlands Galena Kusko Mts

Lake Minchu-mina (check fuel options?)

Kobuk ridges and Valleys

Huslia (or other town on Koyukuk River)

Brooks Range/ (whatever is left to sample)

Marion Creek/ (Tanana or Ruby)

Kobuk- Seward Peninsula

(KSP)

Kobuk- Seward North-east

Dahl Creek/ Bear Creek KSP-North

Kotzebu e

KSP-

North Kotzebue KSP-East

Quartz Creek KSP-West

Quartz Creek or Tisuk River

1.1 Project Timeline and Deadlines

The following table describes the relative timeline of project tasks and deadlines.

Table 4. Project timeline and deadlines for initial year.

Date Year Task

Fall/Winter 2024 Project kick-off calls

Spring 2025 Sample plot coordinates provided to contractor

June 2025 Attend Riparian & Wetland AIM field core methods training

July 2025 Data collection begins

October 31 2025 All data provided to the BLM-NOC

October 1 –

December 31

BLM will provide office support to Field Data Specialist to complete data QC

December 31 2025 Project implementation report submitted

2.0 Background/Summary of Work

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. Field crews will be responsible for safety and for appropriate coordination with local field offices regarding access across private lands, rejection of sample points, and/or protection of local resources. Contractor personnel will

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order need to attend general orientation at the local field offices to be informed of local issues, safety measures, and resource concerns. Contractors will be required to include an example hitch schedule and safety plan as part of their submission.

3.0 Scope

3.1 Task 1 – Coordination

After the Contract is awarded, the contractor shall meet with the BLM project leads and state lead and/or monitoring coordinator (via phone, online, or in person at the respective field offices) to discuss the survey design, field methodologies, training, and to address any questions related to the monitoring effort. At least one month prior to data collection, a second meeting shall be scheduled to acquire plot coordinates (base, oversample, and targeted), discuss sample order strategy, and plot evaluation criteria.

Upon request from BLM, the contractor will allow BLM employees or public lands stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the methodologies as described. (The contractor would not be responsible for providing transportation to the plot locations.)

The contractor will provide the BLM field office project lead or other designated point of contact and the state monitoring coordinator with a hitch schedule including dates of field work, planned sampling areas, and planned access routes prior to each hitch. In order to ensure BLM project leads have time to review and comment on the hitch schedule, plans will be provided at least one week in advance. Those hitch plans not submitted sufficiently in advance may not be reviewed by BLM project leads.

Standard:

The contractor shall meet with the BLM project leads and BLM state lead and/or monitoring coordinator at least twice prior to the start of data collection. The contractor must also be present for field orientation and calibration exercises at the start of the field season (see below), for an early season data collection check-in (phone-based within the first month, as communications allow in remote locations), and for an end of the field season closeout (phone-based) - these are minimum requirements.

The contractor provides a hitch schedule including dates of field work, planned sample plots, and planned access routes at least 5 business days prior to each hitch. Given the interdependence of sample plot progress among hitches, and unforeseen circumstances or access challenges, a need for flexibility in specific hitch plans is acknowledged. Contractor shall allow BLM employees (BLM project lead(s) and other BLM employees) or BLM Public Land Stakeholders, such as permittees or members of the public, to attend and observe field collection days upon request.

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Table 5: Riparian & Wetland AIM implementation roles and responsibilities

Responsible Parties

Project

Phase Task

National

AIM

Team

State

Lead

Project

Lead Contractor

Contractor

Crew

Field Season

Preparation

Hire/onboard field crews Lead

Equipment purchasing, set-up and calibrate equipment

Assist Lead

Safety training Lead Participate

Pre-training materials Lead Participate Participate Participate

Field training Lead Participate Participate Participate

Understand the design Assist Assist Lead Participate Participate

Identify targeted sample points and points for merging (if applicable)

Assist Lead

Identify sites for measurement of contingent/annual use/supplemental indicators (if applicable)

Assist Lead

Office point evaluation Assist Participate Lead Assist

Create georeferenced maps for each point prior to field season

Assist Lead

Provide landowner contacts Lead Participate

Crew

Management

Assistance

Trip planning Assist Lead Lead/Assist

Crew check-in and safety Assist Lead Participate

Field Protocol and

Data Management

Protocol assistance

Assist Assist Lead Participate

Data collection app assistance Lead Assist Participate

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Table 5: (Continued)

Design &

Data

Management

Bi-weekly update of web map Assist Lead

Confirm preliminary site sample status Participate Lead Assist

Data backup Assist Assist Lead

Data submission Assist Assist Lead

WQ sample submission Lead Participate

QA/QC

Field orientation and calibration Assist Lead Lead Participate

Field QC of data Lead

QC of field data out of the field including critical concepts Assist Participate Lead Participate

Scripted QC Checks Lead Assist Participate

Early-season checks Assist Participate Lead Assist Participate

End of season checks Assist Participate Lead Assist Participate

This table should be reviewed at the pre-season meeting and any edits or clarifications made at that point.

This table is subject to change.

3.1.1 Project Lead Requirements

Project leads are required to lead, assist, and participate in the roles and responsibilities as outlined above (See Table 5), including field trainings, pre-season preparation, office point evaluations, field orientation and calibration with contracting crews, and critical concept/field data QC review.

Project leads will review/approve sample point statuses, following crew manager review of points, using the office evaluation and rejection protocol as outlined in the Riparian & Wetland AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol. Sample points will be available at least two months prior to field data collection. If a sample point must be rejected in the office or in the field, the contractor will utilize the provided points from the appropriate oversample panel to select an appropriate replacement point.

Sample points designated as revisits should be identified with appropriate changes in method collection and with guidance on office plot monument preferences (See monumenting section 3.2.5.1 below).

3.2 Task 2 – Data Collection

The contractor will collect data at points provided by the BLM, as summarized in Table 1 and Table 2.

At each plot, the contractor will collect data in accordance with the Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems and other methodologies as indicated in this Contract. Table 1 and Table 2 https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order summarize the number of plots included in each project area, and the specified methods to be collected

(core, contingent, and or supplemental). Data collection will begin, be completed, and submitted to the

National AIM Team, as specified in Project Timeline and Deadlines table (Table 4). The BLM will be allowed 45 days to ensure the quality of the data prior to final payment being made.

Roles and responsibilities are outlined in Table 5 for contractor and BLM responsibilities for office and field evaluations, trip planning, data collection, protocol assistance, and other data collection related tasks. The contractor will follow the latest version of the Riparian & Wetland AIM Design and Site

Evaluation Protocol which includes information on the Technology Protocol, Calibration Protocol, Rejection Protocol, and Data Backup Protocol.

Plot layout shall include three, 25-meter transects arranged in either a spoke, transverse, or diagonal layout, with the spoke being the preferred plot layout. If the plot area is large enough to accommodate a spoke, the crew will establish transect bearings of 0°, 120° and 240°. Orientation of points will be done using magnetic north with no correction for declination. All questions regarding monitoring methodology that are not answered by the Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems and other technical guides, as provided, will be brought to the respective BLM project leads for resolution.

3.2.1 Core Methods

Core methods will be completed at each plot and shall include the following (with adjustments regarding revisits in accordance with the revisit guidance):

• Plot classification and description

• Photos: All required photo will be taken and provided to BLM in the Survey123 data collection application.

• Hydrology and surface water characteristics

• Soil profile description

• Natural and human disturbances

• Species inventory: Plants will be identified to species whenever possible and for each species observed, abundance will be characterized as present, occasional, common, or ubiquitous, using the optional checkbox.

• Line-point intercept: LPI observations will be made every 0.5-m along each 25-m transect, for a total of at least 150 point observations per plot.

• Vegetation height, litter, and water depth: Herbaceous and woody vegetation heights will be recorded at a minimum of 10 points per transect (every 5th LPI observation), or 30 points per plot.

• Woody structure: Woody species age and height classes will be recorded in 2-m x 1-m quadrats every 5 m along each transect for a total of 15 quadrats.

3.2.2 Contingent Methods

Contingent methods will be completed for the projects and plots indicated in Table 1 and Table 2. The contingent methods included in this Contract are:

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

• Water Quality: only in situ measurements; no water samples will be collected. Measurements will be made on all plots with standing water or water in the soil pit.

3.2.4 Supplemental methods

Supplemental methods will be completed for the projects and plots indicated in Table 1 and Table 2.

The specific plots where supplemental methods will be collected will be specified by the BLM in the pre-season meeting and on the plot tracking spreadsheet for the applicable project. The BLM will also provide specifications for the methods used to collect supplemental data/information, for the QA/QC procedure, and data management/data capture protocol.

Supplemental methods included in this Contract include:

• Active Layer Depth (Appendix 2) o Depth of thaw and depth of moss/ground layer will be measured every 2.5 m along the

LPI lines.

o Collect data only at plots that have permafrost within the top 100 cm of soil.

• Lichen Composition (cover and richness) and Utilization (Appendix 3) o Lichen cover and utilization observations will be made every 0.5 m along each 25-m transect, for a total of at least 150 point observations per plot o Modified AGCM utilization method will be made 21 times along LPI transect.

o Lichen richness supplemental indicator will be conducted at the same time as species inventory.

o Lichen supplemental methods will be conducted only at plots that have more than 5% lichen cover, assessed while at the plot. This method is focused on a list of 11 lichen species.

3.2.5 Data Collection Guidelines

The contractor is responsible for ensuring that field crews can identify plants in the project areas to species or sub-species, either by providing specialized local information or training, or by requiring formal education background of crew members.

Non-vascular plants should generally be identified to species. BLM will provide a list species that can be identified at the Genus level.

The contractor is responsible for ensuring that data is collected within the timeframes (identified in

Table 1 for each project within this scope of work) for optimal vegetative expression, according to climate and local phenology.

Electronic data capture while field sampling is required by the BLM. If failure of a tablet occurs and data has to be collected using paper forms, it should be entered into the electronic data capture app as soon as possible (within 4 weeks) and error-checked in detail again after it is entered. The procedure for this can be found in the Riparian & Wetland AIM Data Management Protocol in the Field Crew https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DataManagementProtocol_2024.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Data Management section. The 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. Prior to fieldwork, the project must be populated with fields and picklists appropriate for the project areas.

If private land will be crossed in the process of collecting the data, the contractor will contact the private landowner to acquire permission prior to crossing their land. The contractor will coordinate with BLM regarding private land access issues and comply with all state and local laws and regulations.

3.2.5.1 Monumenting

The contractor will be responsible for plot and transect monumenting, which includes a minimum of photos, distinct geographic features, and GPS coordinates. The use of a GPS booster is highly recommended for use with tablets as it greatly increases the accuracy of monumenting plots and transects.

Standard:

All data to be provided as specified in Project Timelines and deadlines as specified above. Additionally, raw data files will be uploaded for review at the end of each hitch. All points are sampled within the specified timeframes. Data must be approved by the appropriate BLM field office prior to final data submission. The data will be collected using the required methodologies and will be 99% complete and accurate.

3.3 Task 3 – Quality Control and Data Tracking

The contractor will follow all data management and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) steps outlined in Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems and the Riparian & Wetland

AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocolhttps://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2022-

05/RiparianWetlandAIM_Design_EvaluationProtocol.pdf. The contractor will complete the appropriate sections in the electronic data capture app to show that the data has been checked for errors.

Any data that is collected using paper forms should be entered into the electronic data capture app as soon as possible and error-checked in detail again after it is entered. The procedure for this can be found in the Riparian & Wetland AIM Data Management Protocol in the Field Crew Data Management section. At the end of each hitch, the contractor will review critical concepts and photos within the data collection application as a final step in the QC process prior to submitting the data. Final data will be submitted via Survey 123. Contractor will notify the project lead when new data has been submitted.

The BLM will furnish the contractor with shapefiles of the sample points and associated GPS locations, BLM landownership and other shapefiles necessary to evaluate and implement the sample design. All of this information is being provided online using ESRI WebMaps. Upon request the BLM will provide the contractor with any other GIS data needed to complete the project.

3.3.1 Field Orientation and Calibration

Before the first hitch, the contractor will work with the BLM project lead(s) to complete field orientation and calibration. Field orientation and calibration is described in detail in the Riparian & https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/data-collection/data-capture-applications/ https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2022-05/RiparianWetlandAIM_Design_EvaluationProtocol.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/docs/2022-05/RiparianWetlandAIM_Design_EvaluationProtocol.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DataManagementProtocol_2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

Wetland AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol and involves spending 2-3 days in the field with the crew to review processes for identifying critical concepts and protocol review. A calibration exercise is also conducted with BLM and contractor staff leading the effort to assess the precision and accuracy of the crew’s data at a test plot. The contractor will maintain Calibration Plots in Survey123 using the calibration option. These Calibration Plots will be seen in real time as soon as the information is uploaded for state office and appropriate field office project lead(s) to review regularly. Data collectors must calibrate once per month after the first calibration.

The contractor will maintain Calibration Plots in Survey123 using the calibration option. These

Calibration Plots will be seen in real time as soon as the information is uploaded for state office and appropriate field office project lead(s) to review regularly. Data collectors must calibrate once per month after the first calibration.

3.3.2 Plot Tracking

Plot tracking occurs via the Field Maps app and is seen in real time as soon as information is uploaded for state office and appropriate field office project lead(s) to review regularly. All data will be managed in accordance with the Riparian & Wetland AIM Data Management Protocol.

3.3.3 Implementation Report

The contractor will provide a brief written project implementation report, using the Implementation

Summary Template, along with all final data delivered at the end of the season. .

3.4 Task 4 – Provide Data to the BLM

All data will be provided to the BLM in an electronic format by the date specified in Project Timeline and Deadlines (Table 4), and as described in Section 3.3. Final field data should be submitted within the Field Maps and Survey123 applications, while the fate of sampled and evaluated plots should be tracked in the WebMap. Completed surveys will be uploaded to (and 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

Riparian & Wetland AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol.

Standard

BLM receives the data in Survey 123 as described in Tasks 2-4. All final data and a completed implementation report is received as specified in Project Timelines and Deadlines.

4.0 Equipment

The contractor will need the following equipment to conduct this monitoring:

• Electronic data capture Tablets for Collector/Survey 123 data collection.

• GPS boosters for tablets (Bad Elf Pro recommended).

• Frost probes for measuring active layer.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DataManagementProtocol_2024.pdf https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/data-management-project-evaluation/project-evaluation-revision/ https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/data-management-project-evaluation/project-evaluation-revision/ https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

The contractor is responsible for all other materials needed to successfully complete the monitoring as listed in Appendix E of Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems. The contractor is responsible for providing transportation to and from the field plots.

5.0 Schedule

Date of award through December 31, 2029.

6.0 Task Key Personnel

Historically, 3-person crews have been required at each monitoring site. Collectively, the individuals who participate in collecting monitoring data will need to have the following qualifications:

• Field Botanist: must be proficient in species level identification of plant species. Qualifications may be met through education, experience, or a combination.

o 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.

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

• Field Soil Scientist: must be proficient in describing and classifying soil textures and profiles and be able to identify hydric soil indicators of riparian and wetland soil types. Qualifications may be met through education, experience, certification, or a combination.

o 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.

o Experience: minimum of 1 year field data collection describing soils.

• Field Technician I: Background in natural resources, with experience conducting field data collection. Qualifications may be met through education, experience, or a combination.

Conducts field-based monitoring.

o Education: At least halfway towards a bachelor’s degree in any biology, ecology or natural resources field.

o Experience: minimum of 1 year field data collection.

• Project manager: Demonstrated specialized experience in all service areas requested. Provides leadership to coordinate and oversee efforts of multiple crews or personnel associated with projects. Develops project plans, budgets, and ensures completion of project deliverables and objectives. Provides technical advice on project goals and associated disciplines, techniques, and services. Project Manager shall: (1) provide overall management of the Contracts issued;

(2) ensure compliance with all applicable Federal, State, Local, and Department of the Interior regulations and policy, as well as the Contract terms and conditions; (3) monitor and control quality of the Contracts; (4) assign personnel consistent with Contract requirements. (field botanists or soil scientists may also function as project managers) o Education: Bachelor’s Degree.

o Experience: minimum of 5 years.

https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-09/R%26W_AIM_March2023DRAFT_FieldProtocol_TrainingVersionwForms%20%281%29.pdf

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order

• Program Manager: Specialized experience in support services. Provides leadership in program execution and development, project management, and personnel management. Coordinates resources needed to achieve program objectives and provides technical advice regarding terrestrial and lentic monitoring. Program Manager shall: (1) provide overall management of this contract; (2) ensure compliance with all applicable Federal, State, Local, and Department of the Interior regulations and policy, as well as the contract terms and conditions; (3) monitor and control quality of the contract; (4) assign personnel consistent with Contract requirements.

o Education: Bachelor’s Degree o Experience: minimum of 5 years.

• Field crew members involved in data collection are required to attend Riparian & Wetland AIM training each year to ensure high data quality. However, recognizing the realities of crew turnover and to offer flexibility, the minimum standard for training is that at least two data collectors at each plot must have successfully completed Riparian & Wetland AIM core methods training in the past 12 months. If a crew member comes on after formal training is available, they shall review all online Riparian & Wetland AIM methods training material and must demonstrate adequate calibration with other crew members before collecting data.

7.0 Government Furnished Property

The BLM will furnish the contractor with the spatial location of the randomly selected points to be sampled. Any additional information including GIS data needed to complete the project will be furnished upon request. The government will not supply any other property for completion of the data collection projects. (Note: At the indicated based camps the government may provide aviation fuel: please see the bid schedule for specific locations and the applicable conditions.)

8.0 Contractor Furnished Property

Contractor is responsible for all transportation, equipment, and incidentals necessary to complete the monitoring studies in accordance with the following specifications/directions.

9.0 Contractor Performance Assessment

After completion of a Contract, a Contract evaluation will be completed in the Contractor Performance

Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). A CPARS shall be done for Contracts over $250,000.00.

10.0 Quality

All work shall be checked and technically reviewed and approved in accordance with BLM AIM policies, directives, and guidelines. Quality shall be measured based on the following (Table 6):

Table 6. Quality performance measurements https://www.cpars.gov/ https://www.cpars.gov/

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Performance Objective

Performance Standard

Acceptable Quality

Level

(AQL)

Method of Surveillance

For all submittals per

PWS

Timeliness – All Contract documentation and Contract requirements submitted within required milestone timeframe(s).

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.

95% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead

PWS Task 3.1

The contractor shall meet with the field office project lead on at least one occasion before beginning data collection. The BLM is notified of expected sampling schedules prior to each field hitch. The contractor shall allow BLM employees or BLM Public Land Stakeholders, such as permittees or member of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the methodologies described in the Field Protocol for Lentic Riparian and Wetland Systems and the latest data management protocol available.

The contractor provides a point of contact to resolve any questions or concerns about the data through December 31, 2025.

99% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead

PWS Task 3.2

By October 1, 2025, all of the data described in this section will be provided to the respective field offices/BLM contacts. The data will be collected using the required methodologies and will be 100% accurate and complete. All plants encountered will be identified to the species level. All described deliverables will be submitted to the BLM by October 1, 2025.

100% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/training/riparian-and-wetland-aim-training/ https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/training/riparian-and-wetland-aim-training/ https://aim.landscapetoolbox.org/training/riparian-and-wetland-aim-training/

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PWS Task 3.3 Quality of data submitted to the BLM demonstrates that QA/QC has occurred. The BLM will be allowed 15 days to ensure data quality prior to acceptance.

100% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead

PWS Task 3.4

BLM receives the data via Field Maps/Survey123 as described in Task 2. All deliverables, including data, must be received by October 1, 2025. Data is usable for analysis purposes.

100% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead

PWS Task 3.5

Quality of analyses and reports submitted to the BLM demonstrates that careful work and review has occurred. Reports and analyses are completed according to request. Field support person is available to attend meetings as needed and to discuss analyses and reports.

100% Reviewed by BLM Project

Lead

11.0 Identification of Contract Employees

All contract personnel are required to identify themselves as contractors. Whether attending meetings or working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties, they must make their status known to avoid creating an impression that they are Government employees.

12.0 BLM Contacts

Bureau of Land Management

Alaska State Office

222 West 7th Avenue, #13

Anchorage, AK 99513

Contracting Officer’s Representative:

Tina Boucher

E-mail: tvboucher@blm.gov Bureau of Land Management

Alaska State Office

222 W 7th Avenue #13

Nicole Hayes

E-mail: mnhayes@blm.gov

Bureau of Land Management mailto:tvboucher@blm.gov mailto:mnhayes@blm.gov

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Alaska State Office

222 W 7th Avenue #13

Contract Contacts:

Contracting Officer:

Shawn P Haubner

National Operations Center Acquisitions

Department of Interior / Bureau of Land Management

Email: shaubner@blm.gov

Contract Specialist:

Stephen Loftus

National Operations Center Acquisitions

Department of Interior / Bureau of Land Management

Jabber: (303) 236-1037

Cell: (715) 207-1480

Email: sloftus@blm.gov

13.0 Attachments

Attachment 1 – Quote Schedule

Appendix 1 – Alaska 2024 Riparian-Wetland AIM Protocol Supplement

Appendix 2 – Active Layer Depth Supplemental Indicator

Appendix 3 – Alaska AIM Lichen Supplemental Indicators

14.0 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

14.1 Evaluation Commercial Items

BLM will conduct this procurement using FAR 13.5 Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial

Products and Commercial Services and evaluate the proposals using Per FAR Part 13.106-2(b) conducting by comparative evaluation of offerors. This solicitation is not stating nor required to state the relative importance assigned to each evaluation factor and/or sub factor (FAR 13.106-1(a)(2)).

1. Technical:

2. Past Performance

3. Price:

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14.2 Evaluation Factors

The following factors shall be used to evaluate the offers to determine if an offeror provides a sound, compliant approach that meets the requirements of the specifications and demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of those requirements.:

14.2.1 Criterion 1: Hitch Schedule

HITCH SCHEDULE: The offeror shall submit a sample hitch schedule (day by day activities per hitch) for this requirement and will be evaluated on how well the schedule aligns with the work needed in the

PWS.

14.2.2 Criterion: Number of Crews

NUMBER OF CREWS: Offeror shall submit the number of crews and crew schedule for this requirement (proposed schedule for multiple crews). The offeror shall be evaluated on whether the number of crews and schedule proposed per the PWS requirement seems reasonable given the work requested.

14.2.3 Criterion 3: Project Plan

PROJECT PLAN: The offeror shall submit a project plan (10-font with ¾” margins). The project plan shall include the overall project approach, project assumptions, equipment requirements, personnel resumes, and certifications/qualifications, and or project risks. The project plan shall not exceed six pages. Any pages (other than the personnel pages, and equipment requirements) in excess of this length will not be evaluated. The project plan shall be evaluated on how well the offeror addresses the items above. Please note that the vendors shall include the pricing of the specialized equipment in the quote schedule with the labor quotes. Moreover, Vendors are also reminded that charging the government rental for (an) item(s) they own is a disallowable expense.

14.2.4 Factor 2: Past Performance

The government shall review the offeror’s past performance, if applicable and present in CPARS that shall be recent, (within the last 3-years) and relevant to the requirements. (Note: If the contractor has no CPARS on record, they shall receive a neutral rating).

14.2.5 Factor 3: Price

The price shall be determined fair and reasonable based on Two-criteria:

Criterion 1: Labor Costs

Criterion 2: Travel/Lodging

14.3 Proposal Submission

Technical Proposal: Shall include the project plan, hitch schedule, the number of crews and crew

Solicitation 140L0624R0035 BLM Purchase Order schedule needed to complete the work in the PWS.

Price Proposal: The offeror shall submit a price proposal. The price proposal shall be submitted utilizing the attached excel price spreadsheet (Attachment 2).

Proposal Due Date: To Be Determined. Proposals shall be submitted electronically by e-mail to sloftus@blm.gov.

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Appendix 1. Alaska Riparian-Wetland AIM Protocol Supplement

This document covers specific instructions for applying Riparian and Wetland AIM in Alaska, including details on the Survey123 forms that will be used, design management, site evaluation criteria, and plot shifting rules. The supplement is updated annually.

Alaska AIM Survey123 forms

For most applications of R&W AIM in the lower 48 states, monitoring plots are established so that they only encompass riparian and wetland areas meeting the R&W AIM criteria for applicable ecosystems

(see Appendix A). Sample locations (sample points) are selected from National Wetland Inventory or other wetland mapping products to specifically focus on riparian and wetland areas. Several plot layout options are described in the R&W AIM field protocol to accommodate the irregular sizes and shapes of riparian and wetland features. In addition, plots can be shifted away from the randomly selected points to ensure they are in riparian and wetland areas.

However, for Alaska R&W AIM sampling, the sample designs will be drawn from all BLM lands within specific management areas (Field Offices or Districts). All monitoring plots should use the standard spoke layout, which is the same plot layout used for Terrestrial AIM sampling, or in limited cases, the transverse layout. Where the transverse layout is used, the maximum length must be used, based on the average width of the feature being sampled. The diagonal and linear layouts should not be used because they are designed to capture very small features and are not appropriate for an all-lands design. Monitoring plots will be centered on randomly selected points, regardless of whether the points are in riparian or wetland areas or in terrestrial (upland) areas. Plots will not be shifted to focus on riparian and wetland areas but may be shifted if they cross ecosite or ecotype boundaries (see rejection and moving protocol below). This will result in monitoring plots that are either: 1) mostly wetland or

2) mostly terrestrial.

Most of the R&W AIM data collection forms will work equally well in wetland and terrestrial environments. For this reason, all core R&W AIM data collection forms will be filled out at each monitoring plot, regardless of whether the plot is wetland, terrestrial, or a combination. Two forms focus on water (Hydrology and Water quality) and are most appropriate for monitoring plots that include at least some riparian or wetland area. For monitoring plots that are exclusively terrestrial, there will be an option on these two forms to record that the plot is all terrestrial and no further data collection will be needed on those forms.

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Survey123 Forms for All Alaska Plots:

(Differences from standard R&W AIM forms are noted under each form.)

• Site Evaluation

• Plot Characterization o Classification

▪ For sites that contain riparian or wetland areas, the site should be classified using the R&W AIM wetland classification systems (Cowardin, HGM, general wetland type).

▪ For sites that are exclusively terrestrial, the wetland classification systems will not be applied.

▪ For all AK AIM sites, a separate AK-specific Ecotype classification will be used.

This is an open text field on the Survey123 form. The discrete list of potential

Ecotypes should be determined in consultation with Alaska BLM.

o Landscape Position, Vertical Slope Shape, Horizontal Shape have been added to the Plot

Characterization form for all AK sites.

• Soils - Soil pH has been added for each horizon in the soil pit for all AK sites

• Photos

• Natural and Human Disturbances

• Species Inventory

• LPI

• Woody structure

• Hydrology*

• Water Quality (Contingent) in situ*

AK Supplementals:

• Active layer depth

• Lichen utilization (sites with >5% lichen cover)

*Hydrology and water quality are methods specific to riparian and wetland plots; however, these methods will be collected at all plots. If the plot is exclusively terrestrial, that information will be recorded on the form and no additional data collection will be needed on the form.

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Alaska AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol Supplement

The following guidance should be used in conjunction with the Riparian & Wetland AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol (Design Protocol for short). Specific page numbers in the Design

Protocol are provided to indicate which text should be replaced with the guidance below. All guidance in the Design Protocol that is not specifically replaced with guidance below should be followed. The replacement guidance for Alaska was adapted from the Terrestrial AIM Data Management Protocol.

Throughout the R&W AIM Design and Site Evaluation Protocol:

Any references that state the target population is defined as “riparian and wetland areas” using specific criteria for applicable ecosystems (see Appendix A below) should be ignored. In Alaska, the target population is all lands under BLM management with permanent water less than 50 cm deep.

Page 6, Table 1 (Replace):

Plot rejections in Alaska will largely follow the structure laid out in Section 1 of the Design Protocol, however, the reasons for rejection are somewhat different. Table 1 lists reasons to reject plots, whether from the office or the field. This table is also included as Table 3 on page 21 of the R&W Field Protocol.

Table 1 below includes rejection reasons appropriate for Alaska AIM plots and replaces Table 1 in the

Design Protocol and Table 3 in the Field Protocol. The majority of rejections for R&W AIM projects in the lower 48 are due to the sites not fulfilling the criteria for applicable ecosystems (Appendix A) that define the target population. In contrast, the target population in Alaska is broader. As a result, the most common reasons for rejection in Alaska are access issues including lack of helicopter landing zones near the sample point and points located on slopes greater than 50%.

Table 1. Alaska AIM-specific: General sample statuses and reasons for unsuccessful outcomes of a sample location. Descriptions apply to the sample location and all area within 50 m. This table is specific to Alaska AIM sampling.

Sample status Reason not sampled Description

Reattempt

Needed

Different route or permission needed

The crew was unable to gain access to the sample location but could gain access at a later date with landowner permission or by taking a different route.

Temporary deep water

Water at the sample location was deeper than 50 cm at the time of visit but will likely recede later in the season.

Recon visit The site was visited as a reconnaissance trip, sampling criteria have been met, and information helpful for the future sampling crew has been noted.

Seasonality Sample location meets all criteria, but the vegetation was unidentifiable because the visit was too early or too late in the season https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2023-12/RiparianWetlandAIM_DesignAndSiteEvaluationProtocol2024.pdf

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Recent disturbance

Recent flood, fire, or other disturbance that has caused significant impact on the vegetation, but is likely to recover within the season or in the next season

Other The crew started to access or sample but ran out of time; the crew was turned back by inclement weather; the sample location will require a backpacking crew, more capable truck, or all-terrain vehicle because it is remotely located or access road is too rugged; or various reasons not listed above, including safety issues such as illegal activities or active wildfire in the vicinity of the sample location.

Permanently

Inaccessible

Access denied, private

The sample location can only be accessed by crossing private land and landowner permission was explicitly…