Attachment_1_-_Statement_of_Work_and_Appendices.pdf

Billings Field Office Riparian Multiple Indicator

Monitoring

DOI-BLM-MT-C010

May 2021

Billings Field Office

5001 Southgate Drive

Billings, MT 59101

Statement of Work

Table of Contents

1 Background

2 Qualification and Experience Requirements

3 Reference Materials

4 Requirements

5 Deliverables

6 Government Furnished Property

7 Contractor Furnished Property

8 Teleconferences and Correspondence

9 Payment

10 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

11 List of Appendices

P a g e | 1

1 Background

The contractor shall collect riparian health data at 15 Designated Monitoring Areas (DMAs) in accordance with Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocol on Bureau of Land Management administered land in Musselshell, Yellowstone, Carbon, and Sweetgrass counties.

The basis for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) riparian (MIM) protocol is described in detail in:

U.S. Department of the Interior. 2011. Riparian area management: Multiple indicator monitoring (MIM) of stream channels and streamside vegetation. Technical Reference

1737-23. BLM/OC/ST-10-003+1737+REV/ Bureau of Land Management, National

Operation Center Denver, CO. 155 pp.

Available as a download at: https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream

Collection and analysis of multiple indicators enables the BLM to address multiple short- and long-term indicators on the streambank and in the channel. MIM procedures measure the most important indicators relevant to detecting change, improve management efficiency using electronic data collection, and yield statistically acceptable results within realistic time constraints. Data analysis within the MIM protocol addresses precision and minimizes observer variability and subjectivity through an emphasis on strict compliance with rule sets and required training. This riparian monitoring effort will produce information for standard deviation calculations that yield detection of upward or downward trends in the functioning condition of riparian zones. Trend determinations will aid the BLM’s efficacious pursuit of resource management strategies for riparian reaches across the Billings Field Office.

A DMA is the location on the stream where all monitoring procedures described in the MIM protocol occur. All DMAs that will be used for monitoring within this contract have been delineated by the BLM and the maps can be found in Appendix A. The DMA reaches specified in this contract are predominately isolated parcels of BLM and access can typically be through public or private property. See reference material and requirements sections below for protocol and methodologies for data collection.

ATVs or UTVs may be the preferred access method along existing two-track roads for some contractors. Conditions of two tracks described as potential access routes in the Appendices are not guaranteed to be accessible by a full-sized vehicle in most cases. Most hiking distances are within 1 mile of main roads or of potential two track access routes.

2 Qualification and Experience Requirements

Offerors shall submit a one-page resume of all key personnel proposed for this contract. The following positions have been determined as key personnel: the project manager, and a field crew made up of a minimum of two personnel including a field crew lead.

The project manager must have experience equal to the field staff, and in addition, should have experience reviewing monitoring data for quality control, coordinating with agency personnel, https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream

P a g e | 2 and producing deliverables like those specified in this contract. The project manager may serve as the field crew lead if they are on site during data collection.

At a minimum, the field crew must have two vegetation specialists OR a vegetation specialist and water resource specialist. The field crew lead will have a 4-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Natural Resources / Environment degree with 3 years of professional experience in related field data collection and analysis, or a graduate degree with 2 years of professional experience in related field data collection and analysis. The field crew lead will have a strong technical background and experience collecting, analyzing, and interpreting quantitative data related to the assessment items specific to vegetation monitoring.

All field crew members must have formal training for MIM. Formal training for MIM must include a certificate of completion from a full 3-day course in Riparian MIM or proof of journey level experience conducting MIM in multiple areas. Field staff must be skilled in the production and use of GPS data, digital forms, and maps. The staff conducting field work and analysis must be sufficiently versed in plant identification, measuring channel morphology, natural resource inventorying, and correct application of natural resource monitoring protocols (e.g., MIM of

Stream Channels and Streamside Vegetation). It is highly preferred that field crew members have experience in the types of watersheds being assessed

(Northern Rocky Mountain Montane Forest and Shrubland/Grassland and Inter-Mountain

Sagebrush Steppe vegetation types, etc.).

The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer at least 15 days prior to making any permanent team member substitutions. The contractor shall provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitutions, complete resumes for the proposed substitutes, and any additional information requested by the Contracting Officer. Proposed substitutes should have comparable qualifications to those of the person(s) being replaced. The

Contracting Officer will notify the contractor of approval/denial within 15 calendar days after receipt of all required information of the decision on substitutions. If the Contracting Officer determines that the proposed substitute personnel are unacceptable, or that there could be a reduction of effort so substantial as to impair the success of this contracting effort, the contractor may be subject to default action.

3 Reference Materials

Riparian area management: Multiple indicator monitoring (MIM) of stream channels and streamside vegetation. Technical Reference 1737-23 (2011):

https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream

Data Entry and Data Analysis Modules are available online (last updated November 2019:

https://www.rmsmim.com/download-mim-modules-and-documentation/ https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/multiple-indicator-monitoring-mim-stream https://www.rmsmim.com/download-mim-modules-and-documentation/

P a g e | 3

4 Requirements

Tasks

a) Field work for all 15 DMA locations will be completed between 06/01/2022 and

07/15/2022 according to Technical Reference 1737-23

b) Final reporting will be completed and submitted to the Billings Field Office by 15

September 2022.

c) Successful contractor will submit a schedule of field work along with the bid, and there will be a pre-work meeting prior to field work.

Requirements for MIM Data Collection

4.1.1 For all DMAs, find access routes to each monitoring point (Appendix A).

4.1.2 Approximate GPS coordinates for the upper and lower ends have been provided to assist field crews in delineating the monitoring reaches

(Appendix A). These are approximate locations, and applicable procedures outlined in Technical Reference 1737-23 shall be followed when determining the final DMA end points.

4.1.3 Define the Lower and Upper end of the DMA

The DMA shall be at least 110 m long, contained between the upstream and downstream

Latitude and Longitude provided in Appendix A. Longer segments may be needed for monitoring larger streams. Larger streams are identified by the presence of an average greenline-to-greenline width (GGW) greater than 5.5 m. For such streams, the DMA should be 20 times the GGW. For example, a DMA on a stream segment with an average GGW of 9.2 m would be

9.2 m x 20, or 184 m in length. If the necessary length of the DMA extends beyond the distance from the provided upstream to downstream Latitudes and Longitudes, the entire length of stream between the provided upstream and downstream Latitude and Longitude shall be included as part of the DMA and a new upstream and/or downstream Latitude(s) and Longitude(s) will be identified for the DMA and recorded by the contractor.

4.1.4 Mark the Lower and Upper of the DMA

The Reference Point will be monumented using a BLM-supplied orange plastic monument marker or t-post. Refe4ence markers should be located well away from the DMA sampling reach

(at least 33 m).

The upstream and downstream extent of the DMA at the greenline will be temporarily marked with neon markers (e.g., engineering flags, etc.) for the sake of photographs, and documented with a global positioning system (GPS) in decimal degrees set to WGS 1984 projection. The neon markers will be removed when MIM is completed by the contractor at each DMA.

Map the monitoring setup under a 1:1,000 scale with WGS 1984 projection to help ensure the same starting point on the stream can be identified in future endeavors. This map can be

P a g e | 4 produced as a PDF or JPEG. Use the Header spreadsheet in the Data Entry Module to document the latitudes and longitudes of the Lower and Upper Ends of the DMA.

4.1.5 Take Photographs

After the Lower and Upper Ends of the DMA have been documented, photographs should be taken before data is collected because the monitoring process may result in some visible disturbance to the site. At a minimum, nine (9) photographs shall be taken:

a) From the lower marker looking upstream

b) From the lower marker looking across the stream (perpendicular)

c) From the lower marker looking downstream

d) Across the stream from the lower marker, looking toward the lower marker

(perpendicular)

e) From the upper marker looking upstream

f) From the upper marker looking across the stream (perpendicular)

g) From the upper marker looking downstream

h) Across the stream from the upper marker, looking toward the upper marker

(perpendicular).

i) Looking at the Reference Marker, taken in a way that the photograph helps future crews located it (ie background has easily identifiable features).

Take additional photographs as needed and describe the location of each photo in relation to the downstream marker.

Photography metadata information will be completed after the photographs have been downloaded from the camera:

a) Title Field (Required) : Descriptive title of what the picture portrays

b) Author Field (Required) : Photographer Name or Company

c) Comments Field (Optional) : Any other relevant information

4.1.6 Identify and Record the Timing of MIM in Relation to Grazing

This will be documented in the Header tab under the Narrative section of the Data Entry and

Data Analysis modules.

a) Pregrazing Monitoring

b) Monitoring During Grazing

c) Post grazing Monitoring

4.1.7 Follow Monitoring Guidelines and General Procedures

Follow monitoring procedures outlined in Technical Reference 1737-23 for all 15 DMA locations.

P a g e | 5

4.1.8 Use the MIM Modules

The Data Entry Module is for entering data into handheld computers using Windows Mobile in the field.

a) A brief narrative that describes the DMA, its type, and location will be included in the

“Header” tab under the Narrative section.

b) Timelines for delivery of the draft and final Data Entry Modules are detailed in 5.0

Deliverables section.

The Data Analysis Module will be completed using data collected in the Data Entry Module.

a) Timelines for delivery of the draft and final Data Analysis Modules are detailed in

5.0 Deliverables section.

4.1.9 Flooded Greenline

If monitoring of the greenline is not possible under the MIM protocol due to flooded conditions, the site would be evaluated at a later date under this contract. Deliverable due date alterations would be made in consideration of any constraints that seasonal flooding may impose.

4.1.10 Notes and Comments can be Obtained in the Field

Notes and comments could include any observations and other pertinent information not included on the forms such as observed wildlife, apparent unauthorized disturbance, and/or other unique conditions and findings. These should be documented in the Comments tab of the MIM

Modules.

Note if milkweed is observed in the riparian area, and which species if identifiable.

5 Deliverables

Data Disclaimer Message - Any records (photographs, data, notes, etc.) generated and/or created for the purposes of this contract are owned by the BLM and require review and permission prior to release of any information. The contractor cannot copyright, sell, release, or reproduce any of this material. Images will not be protected from release through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Field Surveys

Field surveys will be completed between 06/01/2022 and 07/15/2022 according to Technical

Reference 1737-23. The successful contractor will submit a schedule for completing field work.

Draft MIM data

a) Draft MIM data collected will be submitted by 15 August 2022. Submit one (1) complete set of all data on a USB memory device. All Data Entry and Data Analysis modules and photographs shall be submitted in an electronic format that is compatible with BLM systems. Maps of the monitoring configurations at a 1:1,000 scale with WGS 1984 can be formatted and delivered as either a PDF or JPEG.

P a g e | 6

Final Reports

The final report(s) will consist of the corrected Data Entry and Data Analysis modules, photographs, and maps. Submit one (1) complete set of all data on a USB memory device. All

Data Entry modules, Data Analysis modules, and photographs shall be submitted in an electronic format that is compatible with BLM systems. Maps of the monitoring configurations at a 1:1,000 scale with WGS 1984 can be formatted and delivered as either a PDF or JPEG.

5.2.1 Final Reporting

The final report for data collected will be submitted to the BLM no later than 15 September

2022.

6 Government Furnished Property

1. Hard copy and digital versions of maps identifying approximate DMAs will be provided to the contractor.

2. Monitoring monument markers.

3. If access to a DMA locations is across private land, the BLM will contact the landowner to obtain access.

4. A grazing schedule will not be provided to bidders or to the contractor; the timing of

MIM in relation to grazing will be recorded by the contractor, as outlined in the requirements section of this document.

5. The BLM can lend PVC-constructed monitoring frames to the contractor if necessary. All laser range finders, meter tapes, protocol hard copies, etc. will be the responsibility of the contractor.

7 Contractor Furnished Property

1. Contractor should be prepared for hiking and driving in rough terrain, hot and cold temperature extremes, rattlesnakes, etc..

2. 8 megapixel or greater camera with geo-reference capability.

3. Equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items to complete the field work protocols outlined in the requirements section above.

4. 4-wheel drive vehicle or UTVATV for transportation. The contractor will be responsible for making sure all vehicles, 4 wheelers, or UTV’s are washed regularly to reduce the spread of noxious weed seeds.

5. The contractor will be responsible for carrying necessary fire extinguishers and any other safety/first aide equipment.

8 Teleconferences and Correspondence

a) An initial pre-work teleconference will occur after award of the contract.

b) Other “as-needed” teleconferences, phone calls, or email correspondence with BLM shall be conducted whenever requested by the COR or the contractor in which questions relating to the project need to be discussed.

P a g e | 7

9 Payment

Payment shall be made in accordance with the contract requirements at the price per DMA (with supporting forms, photographs, and maps completed). Measurement for payment will be based on completed, reviewed and accepted products by the COR. Invoices can be submitted following the timelines and deliverables outlined in section 5.0 Deliverables.

Fifty percent of the payment for DMAs will be paid upon completion of the field surveys and when list of completed sites is provided to the COR. This is intended to document that the survey is complete for the various reaches.

The remaining 50% will be paid after BLM acceptance of the final report(s). All data will be in electronic format that is compatible with BLM systems.

10 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors

Technical Proposal Contents

10.0.1 Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel

Offerors shall submit a resume of all key personnel proposed for this contract, which includes experience of the monitoring needs in this proposal. See additional qualification requirements in

Section 2 of this document

10.0.2 Past Performance

Offerors shall submit a list of clients for past and present similar projects covering the past three

(3) years. Provide: contact name, address, phone number, e-mail address. The Government may survey these clients to obtain past performance information (quality, timeliness, cost control, business relationships) related to Offerors current and past work.

10.0.3 Quality Control Plan

Offerors shall submit their Quality Control Plan showing how they intend to meet the government performance standards for each task and subtask associated with this contract.

10.0.4 Evaluation Factors for Award

10.0.4.1 Order of Importance

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

Significantly more important than price

X Approximately equal to price

Significantly less important than price

P a g e | 8

11 List of Appendices

Appendix A—DMA Sites

P a g e | 9

P a g e | 10

P a g e | 11

P a g e | 12

P a g e | 13

P a g e | 14

P a g e | 15

P a g e | 16

P a g e | 17

P a g e | 18

P a g e | 19

P a g e | 20

P a g e | 21

P a g e | 22

P a g e | 23