B08_24Q0005_Atch_1_PWS_2.pdf

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Wyoming Lotic Assessment, Inventory, and

Monitoring Surveys Performance Work Statement (PWS)

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

2. BACKGROUND / GENERAL

2.1 Period of Performance

2.2 Table 1 - Period of Performance

2.3 Regulatory Guidance

2.4 Project Timeline and Deadlines (the timelines in the base period will be the same in each option period)

2.5 Table 2 - Workload Reaches per Field Office by year

2.6 Location Conditions

3. SCOPE / TASKS

3.0 Table 3 - Lotic AIM Roles and Responsibilities

3.1 TASK 1 - COORDINATION

3.2 TASK 2 – DATA COLLECTION

3.3 TASK 3 – QUALITY CONTROL AND DATA TRACKING

3.4 TASK 4 – CONTRACTOR SUBMITTED DATA

3.5 OPTIONAL TASK 5 -- QUANTITY INCREASE OF DATAPOINTS

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

4.1 Gear and Electronic Devices

4.2 Field Vehicles

5. PERSONNEL & QUALIFICATIONS

5.1 Key Personnel: Project/Crew Manager

5.2 Field Crew

5.3 Lotic AIM core methods Training

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION AND PROPERTY

6.1 ESRI Access, Monument Markers

7. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

8. PAYMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

8.1 Table 5. Payment and Deliverable Schedule

9. TRAVEL

10. QUALITY

10.1 Table 6 – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 3,400 miles of stream within the state of Wyoming. The BLM is mandated to conduct land health monitoring to document effectiveness of decisions established in Resource Management Plans, to determine treatment effectiveness, for habitat evaluation, among other applications. The Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy is one of the approved monitoring strategies for land health monitoring.

This scope of work is for Lotic AIM data collection. The requisite scope of work includes 96 reaches in the 2025 field season, with a potential for four 12-month options periods (2026-2029) with varying collection effort as reflected in Table 2 Reaches per Field Office by year.

This scope of work also includes optional task 5 to increase the number of required reaches by up to 56 per contract period as stated below in Paragraph 3.5. This optional task may be exercised during any of the option periods.

2. BACKGROUND / GENERAL

The base period and each option period are aligned with the federal government fiscal year as described below in Table 1 Period of Performance and in Table 2 Reaches per Field Office by year.

2.1 Period of Performance.

The base year of data collection will be field season 2025. The contractor shall be responsible for collecting data at targeted and randomly distributed points throughout individual Field Offices within Wyoming as depicted below in Table 2 Reaches per Field Office by year.

2.2 Table 1 - Period of Performance.

Description Begin Date(s) End Date(s)

Base (2025) 1/2/2025 9/30/2025

Option Period 1 (2026) 1//2/2026 9/30/2026

Option Period 2 (2027) 1/2/2027 9/30/2027

Option Period 3 (2028) 1/2/2028 9/30/2028

Option Period 4 (2029) 1/2/2029 9/30/2029

2.3 Regulatory Guidance.

Data collection shall occur in accordance with the most current version of the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems. At all reaches, core methods as described in the Field Protocol shall be followed in addition to the following four contingent/supplemental methods: 1. Total Nitrogen & Phosphorus, 2. Bank Angle, 3. Thalweg Depth Profile, and 4. Priority Native Woody Vegetation. Data collection dates at all reaches shall begin no earlier than May 15 and shall end no later than September 30.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting data at the number of reaches indicated below in Table 2. Sample reach coordinates will be provided to the contractor as specified below in Paragraph 2.4 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’, at least one month prior to the start of data https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 collection (data collection generally starts in late May , but exceptions can be made for specific climatic and hydrologic regimes such as those influenced by summer monsoons).

2.4 Project Timeline and Deadlines (the timelines in the base period will be the same in each option period)

• January: coordinate and conduct kick off meeting

• February/March: hire field crews, equipment set up

• March/April: coordinate and conduct pre-collection meetings

• April: sample reach coordinates provided, conduct office point evaluation and start contacting landowners for permission (where needed)

• May: field crew training and calibration

• May: data collection begins after training and calibration

• September 30: all data provided to the BLM

• September 30: all water quality and macroinvertebrate samples provided to the appropriate organization

• September 30: brief project implementation report submitted, table of contents to be provided by the BLM

• September 30: end of period of performance

2.5 Table 2 - Workload Reaches per Field Office by year.

Field Office Base Period

# of Reaches

Option Year 1

# of Reaches

Option Year 2

# of Reaches

Option Year 3 2028

# of Reaches

Option Year 4

# of Reaches

Casper 6 15 15 0 0

Cody 22 16 0 0 0

Kemmerer 26 0 10 13 21

Lander 6 0 15 15 0

Pinedale 6 0 0 14 13

Rawlins 24 24 0 0 0

Rock Springs 6 0 10 13 22

Total Reaches 96 55 50 55 56

2.6 Location Conditions.

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

Halperin, James J See Task 3.1.1

Halperin, James J See Table 3

Halperin, James J See Task 3.1.2

Halperin, James J See Table 3 over several days and to collect data in multi-day “hitches” to minimize travel time. Under oversight of the contractor’s project/crew manager, field crews shall be responsible for safety and for appropriate coordination with local BLM field offices regarding rejection of sample points, and/or protection of local resources. In addition to attending the BLM provided field training, contractor personnel shall attend a general orientation at the local field offices to be informed of local issues, safety measures, and resource concerns.

3. SCOPE / TASKS

3.0 Table 3 - Lotic AIM Roles and Responsibilities.

Project phase Task

Responsible parties

National

AIM

Team

State Office Lead

Field Office Lead

Contractor Project/ Crew

Manager

Contractor Crew

Field season preparation

Hire/onboard field crews ̶ ̶ ̶ Lead ̶

Equipment purchase, calibration, set-up - - - Lead -

Safety training - - - Lead Participate

Pre-training materials Lead Participate Participate Participate

Field training Co-Lead Co-Lead Co-Lead Participate Participate

Office point evaluation - Assist Lead Lead -

Provide landowner contacts - - Lead - -

Contact landowners for permission where needed

- - - Lead Assist

Crew management & assistance

Trip planning (e.g., timing, access) - - Assist Lead Assist

Crew check-in and safety - - - Lead Participate

Protocol assistance Assist - Assist Lead Participate

Data collection app assistance Lead - Assist Participate

Design & data management

Weekly update of web map - - - Assist Lead

Verification of reach sample status - - Lead Assist -

Data backup Assist - - Assist Lead

Data submission Assist - - Assist Lead

Macroinvertebrate and water quality sample submission

- - - Lead Participate

Quality Control

(QC)

Field orientation - - Lead Lead Participate

Post-training calibration - - Lead Lead Participate

Field QC of data - - Assist Lead

Critical concepts QC - - Assist Lead Participate

QC of field data - - Assist Lead Participate

Early-season checks Participate Lead Participate Assist Participate

End of season checks Participate Lead Participate Assist Participate

QC of computed field indicators Assist Assist Lead - -

3.1 TASK 1 - COORDINATION

The contractor shall provide support in terms of coordination, pre-season data collection planning, data collection, data quality control (QC), data submission, and macroinvertebrate and water quality submission as explicitly specified Table 3.

3.1.1 Post Award Kick Off Meeting.

After award, the contractor shall coordinate a meeting with the COR and BLM Wyoming State Office lead to discuss the survey design, field methodologies, training, and to answer any questions related to the monitoring effort.

3.1.2 Pre-Collection Meetings.

At least one month prior to data collection, the contractor shall coordinate additional meetings with the COR, BLM Wyoming State Office, and Field Office leads to discuss sample order strategy, reach evaluation criteria, and to answer any remaining questions related to the monitoring effort.

3.1.3 Hitch Schedule.

The contractor shall provide the COR, BLM State Office lead, and respective Field Office lead with a hitch schedule including dates of field work, planned sample reaches, planned access routes prior to each hitch, and alternate sample reaches in case the planned sample reaches are rejected or temporarily inaccessible. In order to ensure BLM Field Office leads, have time to review and comment on the hitch schedule, the draft hitch schedule shall be provided to the COR, State Office Lead, and the respective Field Office lead at least one week in advance of each hitch. Given the interdependence of sample reach progress among hitches, and unforeseen circumstances or access challenges, a need for flexibility in specific hitch plans is acknowledged.

3.1.4 Field Orientation and Calibration Exercises.

The contractor must be present for field orientation and calibration exercises at the start of the field season, early season, and end of season data collection checks.

3.2 TASK 2 – DATA COLLECTION

3.2.1 Timeframe

Data collection shall begin as specified in Paragraph 2.4 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’. Data collection must occur between May15th and September 30th with few exceptions (e.g., for unique climatic and hydrologic conditions). This timeframe generally corresponds to when streams and rivers are at base flow conditions as noted in the most current version of the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems. Data collection must be completed, and the data submitted to the BLM as specified in Paragraph 2.4 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’.

3.2.2 Terrain and Systems

The contractor shall collect data at the number and reaches specified in Table 2. Sample reaches may be >3 miles from a road (includes 4-wheel drive roads or “jeep trails”) so off trail navigation and moderate hiking may be required. All reaches shall be on wadeable systems. See Table 3 Roles and Responsibilities for specific roles of office and field evaluations, trip planning, data collection, protocol assistance, and other data collection related tasks. The most current versions of the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems, the Lotic AIM Evaluation and Design Management Protocol, the Lotic AIM Data Management and QA/QC Protocol, and the Lotic AIM Technology and Applications Manual shall be followed. Upon request, the contractor shall allow BLM employees and/or stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts.

3.2.3 Data Methods

In addition to the core and covariate methods, the following four contingent data methods shall be implemented at each reach, and as noted in Section 2.

• Total nitrogen and total phosphorus (NOTE: contractor does not need to budget for the processing of TN and TP samples),

• Bank angle,

• Thalweg depth profile,

• Priority Native Woody Riparian Vegetation.

No other contingent indicators or supplemental indicators shall be collected.

3.2.4 Monitoring Methodology

All questions regarding monitoring methodology that are not answered by the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems shall first be addressed by the contractor, and then the BLM State Office lead, if further guidance is needed.

Please note specific instructions on keeping water quality samples at appropriate temperatures.

3.2.5 Collection Samples.

Arrangements shall be coordinated in advance for the storage of water quality samples at the local field office, as well as macroinvertebrate samples in some instances.

3.2.6 Electronic Data.

The contractor shall record data in electronic format using BLM applications for data capture and geotagging photographs in the field. Only electronic data shall be submitted to the BLM after https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 review. Final data must be received as specified in Paragraph 2.4 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’.

3.2.7 Electronic Capture Devices.

The contractor is responsible for providing and setting up the electronic capture device (iPads preferred - see AIM website for specific guidance on Lotic AIM gear) with all specified applications as outlined in the Lotic AIM Technology and Applications Manual. The electronic capture device needs to have a cellular data plan with a provider that is appropriate for the project area. The BLM has established databases to ingest and manage all data; therefore, unless otherwise noted, no data management services are requested beyond data collection and QC by field personnel.

3.2.8 Rejected Reaches.

If a reach must be rejected in the field, in accordance with the standards outlined in the Lotic AIM Evaluation and Design Management Protocol, the contractor shall move on to one of the oversample points provided, as directed.

3.2.9 Private Land Access.

The contractor shall coordinate with BLM regarding private land access issues. If private land will be crossed in the process of collecting the data, the contractor shall contact the private landowner to acquire permission to cross their land. Contact information will be provided by the BLM field office project lead, if available. To comply with State law, private land permission shall be granted before the contractor crosses private land to comply with State law.

3.2.10 Reach Monumenting.

The contractor shall be responsible for reach monumenting, which includes a minimum of photos, distinct geographic features, and GPS coordinates. If required, more involved monument types may be specified by the associated BLM Field Office Lead, and materials will be furnished by the BLM as necessary. For example, reach markers such as engraved or stamped aluminum survey caps and fence posts may be utilized.

3.3 TASK 3 – QUALITY CONTROL AND DATA TRACKING

The contractor shall follow all data management and Quality Control (QC) steps as outlined within the most recent Lotic AIM Data Management and QA/QC Protocol. The contractor shall also follow the most recent Lotic AIM Evaluation and Design Management Protocol for reach tracking as described in the data management protocol noted above.

3.3.1 Field Orientation and Calibration.

During or before the first hitch, the contractor shall work with the BLM Field Office lead(s) to complete a field orientation and calibration (See Table 3). Field orientation and calibration is described in detail in the Lotic AIM Data Management and QA/QC Protocol and involves spending 2-3 days in the field with the crew to review processes for identifying critical concepts of the Field Protocol (e.g., bankfull, scourline, and thalweg). 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 reach.

https://www.blm.gov/aim https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0 https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0

3.3.2 Survey 123.

Final data shall be submitted via Survey 123. Any data that is collected using paper forms shall be entered into Field Maps/Survey123 no later than ten working days after data collection takes place. Once the data has been entered, the contractor’s crew manager shall complete a detailed error-check after it is entered into Survey123.

3.4 TASK 4 – CONTRACTOR SUBMITTED DATA

3.4.1 Daily Survey Synchronization.

Completed surveys shall be uploaded to (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 latest version of the Lotic AIM Data Management and QA/QC Protocol.

3.4.2 Project Implementation Report.

A complete project implementation report shall be submitted at the end of the field season as specified above in Paragraph 2.4 ‘Project Timelines and Deadlines’.

3.5 OPTIONAL TASK 5 -- QUANTITY INCREASE OF DATAPOINTS

At any time during contract performance, the Contracting Officer (CO) may notify the contractor of its intent to exercise Optional Task 5 in accordance with the applicable contract clause. Upon receipt of the executed modification to exercise Optional Task 5, the contractor shall be responsible for collecting data at additional targeted and/or randomly distributed points, up to but not more than the number of points listed below in Table 4 Data collection at additional points.

Data collection at these additional points shall follow the same procedures, guidance, and standards as described for all data collection points as stated in this Scope of Work. The quantity of additional points required shall not exceed 56 per year. There is no guarantee of this additional work described under Optional Task 5; therefore, the contractor shall not perform any services without an executed modification from the CO.

3.5.1 Table 4. Optional Task 5 Additional Data collection workload

Field Office Optional Task 5 Option Year 1 -

# of Reaches

Optional Task 5 Option Year 2 –

# of Reaches

Optional Task 5 Option Year 3 -

# of Reaches

Optional Task 5 Option Year 4

# of Reaches

Casper 8 8 8 8

Cody 8 8 8 8

Kemmerer 8 8 8 8

Lander 8 8 8 8 https://www.blm.gov/documents/national-office/blm-library/technical-reference/aim-national-aquatic-monitoring-0

Pinedale 8 8 8 8

Rawlins 8 8 8 8

Rock Springs 8 8 8 8

Total Reaches 56 56 56 56

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The contractor shall furnish the following list of equipment in performance of this contract:

4.1 Gear and Electronic Devices.

All Lotic AIM gear, including electronic devices for data capture and equipment required to collect contingent/supplemental indicators, listed in the equipment checklist provided at:

https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources.

4.2 Field Vehicles.

4.2.1 Four Wheel Drive.

Field vehicle (a 4-wheel drive (4X4) vehicle with high clearance is required and all terrain 10-ply tires are highly recommended.

4.2.2 Utility/All-Terrain Vehicle.

A UTV/ATV may be needed to access some points. UTV/ATV equipment needed to access a point will be at the discretion of, and supplied by, the contractor. In using UTV/ATV equipment to access sites, no sustained impact to resource values should occur. Motorized access to wilderness or wilderness study areas will not be allowed, unless by written permission of the appropriate BLM Field Office manager. In using equipment to access sites, no sustained impact to resource values should occur.

5. PERSONNEL & QUALIFICATIONS

5.1 Key Personnel: Project/Crew Manager

5.1.1 Project/Crew Manager Qualifications.

The contractor shall designate a project/crew manager as its primary point of contract and to lead implementation of tasks as identified herein. At a minimum, the designated project/crew manager shall have the following education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or a related discipline such as environmental science, conservation, ecology, rangeland management, or hydrology that included a combination of the plant, hydrology, and soil sciences, and natural resources management; and

• A minimum of two years of professional experience managing complex projects and/or field crews relevant to the collection of lotic data.

https://www.blm.gov/aim/resources

5.1.2 Replacement Approval.

Key personnel assigned to this contract shall not be removed or replaced without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Approval/disapproval of key personnel replacement is the responsibility of the Contracting Officer (CO).

5.1.3 Personnel Availability.

The contractor shall immediately notify the COR when key personnel are unavailable for work under this contract for a continuous period exceeding five field survey days.

5.2 Field Crew.

A minimum of two individuals shall be required at each monitoring reach. Collectively, the individuals who participate in collecting monitoring data will need to have the following qualification experience:

• Hydrologic Technician

• Biological Science Technician (Fish)

5.3 Lotic AIM core methods Training.

Both individuals present for data collection must have successfully completed Lotic AIM core methods training provided by the BLM during the year in which data collection is to occur.

Information about these trainings is available at https://www.blm.gov/aim/strategy.

5.3.1 Online Prerequisites/Pre-training.

Contractor staff shall complete online training materials before attending field methods training. If a technician needs to be replaced within a field season by a technician who has not attended training in last two years, then the crew manager who is trained in AIM within the last two years, must accompany the new technician in the field for the first three reaches.

Furthermore, all pre-training materials must also be completed prior to collecting data.

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION AND PROPERTY

6.1 ESRI Access, Monument Markers.

The BLM will provide the contractor with access to ESRI feature services of the sample points that have been reviewed against office rejection criteria, as well as the associated coordinate locations. If feature services are not available or accessible, the BLM may elect to provide this information in GIS format or CSV spreadsheet. Any other information including GIS data needed to complete the data collection will be considered upon request. Monument markers (rebar stakes or similar) will be supplied by the BLM for Field Offices requiring plot monumentation, as deemed necessary by the individual Field Office. The Government will not supply any other information, equipment, or property for completion of this contract.

7. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The contractor shall provide all personnel, resources, tools, equipment and incidentals necessary to complete the services required in this contract PWS.

https://www.blm.gov/aim/strategy

8. PAYMENTS AND DELIVERABLES

The following (Table 5) includes the required deliverables to be completed before the Government will accept services to allow for payments prior to the end of the period of performance:

8.1 Table 5. Payment and Deliverable Schedule.

Item Date Deliverable(s) Payment Price Proposal

Tasks

1 May 30, 2025 May training + 10% reaches sampled, quality control conducted, and data delivered

15% of total award

1, 2, 3, 4

2 June 30, 2025 25% reaches sampled, quality control conducted, and data delivered

20% of total award

1, 2, 3, 4

3 July 30, 2025 30% reaches sampled, quality control conducted, and data delivered

20% of total award

1, 2, 3, 4

4 August 30, 2025 25% reaches sampled, quality control conducted, and data delivered

20% of total award

1, 2, 3, 4

5 September 30, 2025 10% reaches sampled, quality control conducted, data delivered, final quality control complete, final report delivered

25% of total award

1, 2, 3, 4

9. TRAVEL

In accordance with P.L. 99-234, "Federal Civilian Employee and contractor Travel Expense Act of 1985", travel-related expenditures for contractor's personnel are restricted to the limits established for federal employees. This includes mileage for company-owned vehicles. The contractor is responsible for travel coordination and expenses for its personnel as required to support the tasks at the performance locations stated in this PWS. Contractor travel shall comply with all effective Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), including those supplemented by the Department of the Interior (DOI) travel regulations. No Federal travel authorizations are to be issued. The price for travel authorized by Federal and DOI travel regulations shall not include overhead, G&A, nor profit.

10. QUALITY

The Government will measure Quality based on the following Table 6 – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS):

10.1 Table 6 – Performance Requirement Summary (PRS)

PERFORMANCE

OBJECTIVE PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Acceptable

Quality Level

(AQL)

METHOD OF

REVIEW

Overall

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% BLM COR review

Task 1 Coordination

The contractor shall meet with each Field Office lead on at least one occasion before beginning data collection. The BLM is notified of expected sampling schedules prior to each field hitch by email. The contractor shall hire crew members and ensure the crew members attend training. The contractor shall allow BLM employees or 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 described in the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems and the latest data management protocol available.

99% BLM COR review

Task 2 Data Collection

The data will be collected using the required methodologies and will be 100% complete, including water quality and macroinvertebrate samples.

100% BLM COR review

Task 3 Quality Control and

Data Tracking

Quality of data submitted to the BLM demonstrates that QA/QC has occurred. Quality of analyses and reports submitted to the BLM demonstrates that careful work and review has occurred. Reports and analyses are complete and on time. The BLM will be allowed 15 days to ensure data quality prior to acceptance.

100% BLM COR review

Task 4 Provide Data to the

BLM

BLM receives the data in Survey 123 and web maps as described in Tasks 2 and 3. Data is received by September 30. Data is accessible and usable for analysis purposes. A complete project implementation report is submitted by September 30.

100% BLM COR review

Optional Task 5 Added Data Points

All of the above stated standards apply to Optional Task 5, as applicable

All of the above stated AQL percentages apply to Optional Task 5, as applicable

BLM COR review