Attachment 1 -SOW_Golden Eagle Survey.pdf

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Statement of Work

Contents Project General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

2.0 Background

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

4.0 Government Furnished

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

6.0 Travel

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

8.0 Security Requirements

9.0 Data Rights ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

10.0 Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards ................. Error!

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Project Cleveland National Forest Golden Eagle Surveys FY 2025-2026

General Information

1.0 Scope of Work

The Contractor shall furnish all necessary personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, and transportation to perform one year of Golden Eagle Surveys within the Cleveland National Forest (CNF).

2.0 Background

The San Diego River Gorge is one of the most visited and utilized areas on the Cleveland National Forest. These surveys are to determine breeding territories, status, and nesting success of Golden Eagles in the San Diego River Gorge to inform current and future management decisions regarding the use of the area. There are new trails, rock climbing routes, and other potential developments being considered in the area. The Golden Eagles in San Diego County are intensively studied, and have been monitored at varying levels for over 100 years. The specific surveys as outlined here have been conducted for the past three (3) years. Currently, this is expected to be the last year of surveys as the funding account will be spent out. The methodology is necessary due to rough and remote terrain.

Contractor Requirements

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

The Contractor shall complete the following: 1) conduct protocol surveys in approximately ten Golden Eagle nesting areas located on the CNF. The survey area is identified in Exhibit A. This contract is to be executed in one year and, 2) prepare and submit an Interim and Final Report on the status of the survey results.

The project will require three (3) phases of work:

I. Pre-field Review: The Contractor shall review maps of survey areas and prioritize work plans according to habitat, terrain, access and priority numbers on the maps. A written work plan with a schedule of survey dates shall be supplied by the Contractor to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative before field work begins.

II. Field Surveys and reporting: Surveys shall be performed in sufficient depth and in a manner that conforms to the protocol (Exhibit C). For safety and efficiency, it is expected that surveys will be conducted by helicopter. Phone calls shall be held at least monthly during the field season between the Contractor and the COR to discuss work completed to date. During each phone call the Contractor shall address the following:

1. Golden Eagle nest locations found or not found, and areas surveyed.

2. Any other biological observations of significance such as sightings of rare species.

3. Any problems encountered during survey.

4. Suggestions.

5. Results and status of surveys and if on schedule.

III. Documentation of Findings: See section 5.0 Deliverables.

4.0 Government Furnished

The Government will deliver to the Contractor the following listed materials, supplies, property, and/or services (hereinafter referred to as "Government-furnished property").

The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of such Government-furnished property until completion and final acceptance of all work required under the contract.

Signature at the end of this document will indicate that you agree to the Transfer of Government property upon acceptance of Government-furnished property. All Government-furnished property will be given to you in person.

1. Keys to Forest Service gates if applicable.

2. A letter from the Forest stating that you are performing biological work for the CNF (to be provided at onset of work).

3. USFS “Administrative Passes”, allowing contractor to park vehicles on

USFS lands (to be provided at onset of work).

4. Data and NRM spreadsheet in electronic files.

5.0 Deliverables / Schedule

Documentation of Findings The contractor shall perform surveys in sufficient depth and in a manner that conforms to the protocol (Attachment 1). The Final Report of Findings shall contain the following information:

o A title page, and sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion.

o Report shall show on title page the contract number and state that funding was provided by the Cleveland National Forest.

o GPS coordinates shall be recorded in lat long coordinates, WGS 84 datum.

Include description of GPS manufacturer and model number used to collect data.

o GPS locations (within 40 feet accuracy) and maps of Golden Eagle responses, nest sites – map legend shall include USGS Quad name, Township, Range, and Section of nest sites, name of person who created map, and date map was created.

o GPS locations with time stamps and accompanying maps of survey transects and call points. Map legend shall include USGS Quad name, Township, Range and Section of survey areas, name of person who created map and date map was created.

o Copies of field notes.

o Photos of nests/roosts and areas where sightings occur.

o Text and table summarizing survey results.

o NRM Wildlife database spreadsheet (Exhibit C).

The Final Report of Findings will be submitted as a digital document.

LEGIBILITY

The Contractor shall ensure that all submitted forms are properly filled out and all information, reports and maps are legible. Any copied forms must be dark enough to be easily read and must include all margins of the form. All writing and marks must be dark enough to reproduce clearly on a copy machine.

GOVERNMENT INSPECTION PROCEDURES

The COR shall determine if the specifications have been met. Failure of the Contractor to meet the specifications shall require prompt corrective action. Repeated failure to meet specifications may be cause for termination of Contractor's right to proceed for default.

The Contractor's work will be inspected prior to acceptance through field reviews, examination of survey and site documentation and review of final report packages. All reports will be inspected for completeness and legibility. Any work that does not conform to the specifications found in this contract will be found unacceptable and shall be corrected at no additional expense to the Government.

The Contractor shall notify the COR/Inspector when work commences and shall keep the COR/Inspector informed of any changes in the Contractor's work schedule.

A final inspection meeting between the Contractor and COR shall be held before final payment is approved or this information may be relayed to the CNF by mail. If not previously submitted, the contractor shall provide the following material to the government: all field survey forms, maps, aerial photos, and Government-furnished property. Final decisions concerning the technical phases of the work and its acceptance will rest with the COR.

ACCEPTANCE

Acceptable work includes presentation of all documentation required in the Project Description of this contract.

If all documentation is not fully legible and correctly completed, or if the inspection results in unsatisfactory findings, the CO will immediately notify the Contractor in writing and direct him/her to improve the quality of the field surveys or reports.

Repeated failure to perform at the standards specified may be considered reason for contract termination for default. Rework shall be performed within five (5) calendar days or by a predetermined date agreed upon by the COR and contractor after receipt of phone call from the CO of unsatisfactory work. Failure of the Contractor to comply with this order may be cause for the Contractor's right to proceed to be terminated for default.

CONTRACT TIME

The Contractor shall be required to commence work under this contract according to the dates listed below and after the Contractor receives the notice to proceed.

Contract time, whether stated in terms of calendar days or a completion date, has made allowance for inclement weather, fire closures, and seasonal shutdowns. Contract time will run continuously from issuance of the notice to proceed without suspension during periods when no work is performed.

Item Name Required Start Work Date Anticipated Completion Date CNF Golden Eagle surveys August 15, 2025 December 31, 2026

Start date may vary depending on weather and access. Approval of the CO is needed for any adjustments to the start date.

PRE-WORK MEETING AND WORK PLAN

A pre-work meeting between the Contractor and the CO and COR will be required prior to commencement of fieldwork. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure a clear understanding of the scope of the contract, technical specifications, documentation requirements, and inspection schedules. This meeting will be held in August of 2025.

Additional meetings or phone calls may occur quarterly if needed.

Field Work Field work will be conducted during the golden eagle breeding season and is expected to start in December of 2025 and continue into 2026 when the reproductive period ends.

6.0 Travel

No extended travel is anticipated to be required for this contract.

7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel

Key Personnel: Golden Eagle Specialist

A Golden Eagle specialist is defined as a biologist or ecologist with five (5) or more years of Golden Eagle or cliff dwelling raptor research/survey experience, possession of state/federal permits allowing capture, handling, and/or translocation of Golden Eagles and/or cliff dwelling raptors; and/or relevant research on raptors published in the peer reviewed literature"

8.0 Security Requirements

No security clearances are anticipated to be required for this project.