Attachment_1_SOW_NALFP_FY25.pdf

Statement of Work

Voluntary Lead-Free Hunting Ammunition Incentive Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is establishing the Voluntary Lead-Free Hunting Ammunition Incentive Program (Program) to encourage the voluntary use of lead-free ammunition for hunting opportunities, as recommended by the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council, and state wildlife management agencies. The program encourages the voluntary use of lead-free ammunition at select national wildlife refuges. With proof of purchase of lead-free ammunition, hunters can receive a rebate for the purchase and use of lead-free ammunition while hunting on select national wildlife refuges. We will also use targeted outreach via educational workshops, printed and on-line resources, or other media to inform hunters about the conservation and performance benefits of lead-free ammunition. In addition, we will train Service staff on all aspects of the program to relay this information to hunters.

1. Scope of Work

1.1 Demonstration Engagement Events for Staff and Stakeholders Development

Purpose

• Develop Program demonstration workshop agendas, topics, and materials specific to local regulatory and hunting practices (i.e., educational workshops).

Audience

• Hunting Community

• State Wildlife Management Agency Employees

• Service Employees

Activities

• Work with National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) staff to schedule and promote workshops across various geographic locations.

• Coordinate with state and federal wildlife agency partners to provide technical training to staff and hunters on wildlife health, ballistics, and educational processes for voluntary programs to increase the use of lead-free hunting ammunition as part of the Program.

• Provide leadership in developing and conducting workshops and associated demonstrations.

• Provide at least 2 representatives to lead and support at each engagement event.

• Provide materials for outreach, bullet testing, and engagement with community leaders and hunters.

• Proposed engagement events and tentative dates to be developed in coordination with the Service and other parties to meet specific needs.

1.2 Incentive Engagement Portal Administration, Validation, and Distribution of Incentives

Purpose

• Assist the Service on the development and implementation of the incentive engagement portal to validate and process incentive applications and distribute incentives for the Program.

Audience

• Hunting Community

• Service Employees

Activities

• Develop qualification validation metrics and entry requirements for incentive program participation.

• Monitor the incentive portal and conduct validation of prerequisite incentive requirements in a timely manner (within 30 days of submission), including but not limited to:

• Processing and verification that applicants are eligible hunters for the program

• Processing and verification that hunters have made purchases making them eligible for the Program incentives.

• Distribute incentives to successful program participants through pre-paid debit/gift cards.

• Communicate with unsuccessful participants

• Coordinate evaluation, analysis, and reporting of incentive participation in the program and overall survey results on attitudes and perceptions of hunters that participate in the incentive program with Service.

1.3 Staff Training

Purpose

• Provide Service staff with the necessary training, resources, and messaging tools to effectively implement the overall Program purpose.

Audience

• Service Employees

• State Wildlife Management Agency Employees

Activities

• Develop and deliver trainings to be delivered to Service staff interested or participating in the Program (e.g., webinars, in-person workshops, etc.).

• Provide pre-training work materials for review by participants.

• Develop a training agenda, topics, and online presentation materials specific to the Program.

Training objectives shall include an overall background of the issue, environmental issues, current training and outreach materials, incentive options, and how staff can become involved and lead external trainings at a local level (e.g., train-the-trainer).

• Develop post-training evaluation metrics and a survey instrument to understand thoughts, perspectives, and attitudes of the webinar from attendees.

• Report on findings of the post-event evaluation to the Service.

2. Project Timeline

Base Year

• Start Date: Awarded Contract projected to begin September 2025

• End Date: 1 year after Award Contract

Option Years

• Option Year 1: September 2026

• Option Year 2: September 2027

• Option Year 3: September 2028

• Option Year 4: September 2029

3. Deliverables

3.1 Demonstration Engagement Events for Staff and Stakeholders Development

• Educational Workshops: Conduct external educational workshops for up to 2 geographic locations, or until funding is fully utilized.

• Reports: Submit a written report each year detailing the number of educational workshops conducted and providing broad recommendations for future actions. Reports should be provided to the Primary Technical POC.

3.2 Incentive Engagement Portal Administration, Validation, and Distribution of Incentives

• Portal development assistance and implementation: Provide consultation to develop the submission portal including branching logic to determine accurate submissions by hunters.

• Validation: Confirm hunter-submitted data is accurate and meets the defined purpose of the program.

• Distribution of incentives: Accurately and effectively distribute reimbursements to hunters in a timely matter (30 days or less).

• Reports: Submit a written report each year detailing the number of incentives processed and providing broad recommendations for future actions. Reports should be provided to the Primary Technical POC.

3.3 Staff Training

• Staff Trainings: Develop and deliver trainings in to be delivered to Service staff interested or participating in the program.

• Staff Development: Develop a training agenda, topics, and online presentation materials specific to the Program. Training objectives shall include an overall background of the issue, environmental issues, current training and outreach materials, incentive options, and how staff can become involved and lead external trainings at a local level (e.g., train-the-trainer).

4. Reimbursement and Travel

The Service will reimburse all travel and expenses incurred for completing work assignments in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations, ensuring that costs are managed efficiently and transparently. A Not to Exceed funded line will be provided for travel re-imbursements

5. Cost –See SF1449 for more detailed information

Base Year

• Line Item 0010 Educational Program IAW SOW

Option Years (4 years)

• 1010-4010 Educational Program IAW SOW

6. Conclusion

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks a partnership-based engagement that will equip the Service’s Refuge team with the skills and insights necessary for the purpose of this program. This will effectively advance the mission of the agency through voluntary approaches.