B08_-_PWS_MSCNWR_Predator_Trapping.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Predator Trapping at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR to Protect Endangered Mississippi Sandhill Cranes

1. Introduction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge

(Refuge) in Gautier, Mississippi has a requirement for a contractor to provide predator trapping services for period of five (5) years. Trapping of animals listed will be required during specified periods of the contract to protect endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes. Predator animals include, but are not limited to:

• Coyote

• Bobcat

• feral dog

• red fox

• raccoon

• beaver

• Canada goose (eggs)

• Opossum

• feral cat

• nutria

• feral hog

• gray fox.

2. Scope of Work

Contractor will provide trapping services to protect endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes and furnish all labor, transportation, equipment, materials, tools, and supplies to keep all abiding by the following conditions:

a. Contractor shall provide transportation to and from the Refuge, predator trapping expertise, transportation on the Refuge, firearm and ammunition, traps (foothold, snare, live box trap, coni-bear), trapping equipment supplies (bucket, shovels, sifters, and trap conditioner).

b. Contractor shall use approved devices such as foothold, snare, live box trap, or coni-bear to trap target animals which include coyote, bobcat, feral dog, red fox, raccoon, opossum, and feral cat. Contractor may use call and shoot or bait and shoot techniques when useful and practical. Contractor shall use methods, trap modifications, and set placement to minimize non-target take, particularly cranes. Traps will not be set in locations or situations where a crane could be caught. Contractor will notify the Refuge wildlife biologist immediately of any crane caught in a trap. Contractor shall check all active traps set on Refuge daily. Refuge personnel and volunteers may be requested as needed to assist. Contractor will maintain accurate record of active trap locations for others to use in checking traps. When a target animal is found caught in a trap, the contractor shall, as soon as possible, humanely euthanize the animal by shooting a .22 caliber bullet into the cranium. If the contractor is not available, approved Refuge personnel will perform euthanasia. Carcasses will be removed from the trap site area to an agreed location. Carcasses or tissues may be transferred to researchers (e.g. parasites, red wolf genetics) upon request. Non-target animals may be released in the vicinity. Dogs with ID collars will be transferred to Refuge personnel to contact owners. Contractor will keep Refuge equipment in good order and condition.

c. Contractor must follow all Mississippi Game and Fish Commission Rules and Regulations. A depredation permit is required to trap some predator animals. Contractor will need to acquire and maintain a valid depredation permit though the course of the period of performance.

3. Areas of Work

Refuge staff shall provide a Refuge map and gate keys. Access to the Refuge will be provided to Contractor in a manner determined by Refuge staff and mutually agreed upon by Contractor.

4. Period of Performance

Contractor shall perform the work required for five (5) years effective the Date of Award.

5. Access

Access to the Refuge is provided to Contractor in a manner determined by Refuge staff and mutually agreed upon by Contractor. Once the right-of-entry on Refuge lands for purposes of this agreement is granted to Contractor, no damage to Refuge property shall occur in conjunction with this access.

6. Record Keeping

Contractor shall maintain accurate records pertaining to the services provided under this agreement. Copies of the records shall be given to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Government Representative (GR) and submitted with invoices, generally after the end of a month. The records will be given to the COR or GR after the end of each month. If needed, the COR or GR will provide invoice and record forms below to the Contractor. The records shall include:

a. MSCNWR Predator Trapping Record shall include information about trapping effort including date, trap area, trap type, # traps out, # captures, and #tripped sets.

b. MSCNWR Predator Capture Record shall include information about trapping take including date, GPS coordinates (UTM 16N), trap type, species, and result.

7. Basis of Payment

Contractor shall be paid only for work accomplished in accordance with the Performance Work Statement and accepted by the COR or GR. All invoices shall contain invoice #, start date, end date, species trapped, cost per animal, number of animals, total cost per species, and total balance due. Along with the invoice, the Contractor will present the COR or GR with the following completed records:

a. MSCNWR Predator Trapping Record shall include information about trapping effort including date, trap area, trap type, # traps out, # captures, and #tripped sets.

b. MSCNWR Predator Capture Record shall include information about trapping take including date, GPS coordinates (UTM 16N), trap type, species, and result.

8. Performance Requirements

Contractor shall provide predator trapping services to protect the endangered Mississippi sandhill cranes. Contractor shall check all active traps set on Refuge daily, maintain accurate records of trap locations, and accurate trapping and capture records. Satisfactory performance meets all contractual requirements. Level of performance is determined through inspection of services provided by Contractor, progress or status meetings with Contractor, and performance reporting by Contractor. Contractor performance is documented with particular attention to performance that exceeds the standard or fails to meet the standard. Exceptional performance may result in exercise of option years. COR or GR shall establish and maintain an adequate quality control system to satisfactorily inspect and ensure all work performed by Contractor is in full compliance with this contract.

9. Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

The Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) provides a method to evaluate performance. Contractor is responsible for management and quality control actions to meet the terms of the contract. COR or GR is responsible for the technical administration of the contract and shall assure proper surveillance of Contractor’s performance to determine if Contractor exceeds, meets, or does not meet the standards of the contract. Surveillance and ratings are objective, fair, and consistent in evaluating performance. COR or GR shall use the following surveillance in the administration of the QASP.

a. Performance reporting through photographs emailed as requested to GR.

The following ratings are used to determine if Contractor exceeds, meets, or does not meet the standards of the contract.

EXCEPTIONAL: Performance significantly exceeds contractual requirements to the Government’s benefit.

SATISFACTORY: Performance meets contractual requirements.

UNSATISFACTORY: Performance does not meet contractual requirements.

COR or GR shall meet with Contractor at a frequency to be determined to assess performance. COR or GR shall take periodic rating measurements to determine the level of work performed by Contractor. COR or GR shall keep a quality assurance file.

10. Deficiencies in Service

All work shall be performed as specified within the provisions of the contract. If the services are found to be unsatisfactory in workmanship or otherwise not to conformity with the specifications and requirement of the contract, the Refuge shall have the right to reject such service. The work shall then be performed as specified without additional cost to the Refuge.

11. Safety

Contractor shall comply with all current provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) (www.osha.gov) on all matters involving safety and accident prevention.

a. Safety Meetings. Contractor shall conduct safety meetings with the Contractor's personnel to discuss potential safety hazards. All employees shall be briefed on safety procedures including such things as vehicle operation, use of equipment, first-aid, visitor protection, and reporting accidents or injuries.

b. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Adequate PPE will be always worn while conducting contract services on the Refuge. All individuals involved in contract operations shall be dressed fully to include shoes, pants, and shirts.

c. Vehicle Usage. Extreme caution shall be always exercised and especially when operating vehicles to prevent accidents and injuries to Contractor, Contractor’s employees, and private parties and their property. When driving on Refuge, Contractor will operate in a safe and lawful manner. Contractor will drive vehicles at a rate of speed no higher than 25 miles per hour on Refuge.

d. Correction of Deficiencies. Contractor shall be required to correct any safety deficiencies as directed by the COR or GR.

12. Personnel

Contractor must have sufficient labor, equipment, and supplies to perform all specified services in a satisfactory manner within the specified period of performance.

a. Removal of Contractor Employees. Contracting Officer (CO) or COR or GR may require Contractor to immediately remove from the work site any employee who endangers persons or property or who is destructive or causes public disruption on the job site. No such removal, however, shall reduce Contractor’s obligation to perform all work required under this contract and immediate replacement shall be made as required. This requirement shall not be the basis of any claim for compensation or damages against the Refuge.

http://www.osha.gov/

b. Conduct. Individuals involved in the contract operations must not be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs. Contractor shall always be responsible for the conduct and discipline of his/her employees and all subcontractors and their employees.

Disorderly, incompetent, or intemperate persons, or persons who commit any trespass on public or private property in the vicinity of the work must not be employed, retained, or allowed upon the project. Contractor shall take immediate action to correct any deficiencies upon notification by the COR or GR.

13. Accident Reports

Contractor shall maintain an accurate record of and shall report to the COR or GR all incidents and accidents within 24 hours of the occurrence and all serious accidents (those resulting in death or injury requiring medical attention) shall be reported immediately.

14. Supervision/Familiarity with Specifications

Contractor shall provide supervision of his/her employees on the job site while services are being performed. Contractor shall certify all employees who work under this contract have been familiarized with the work specifications prior to performance of required services.

15. Title 36 – Rules and Regulations

While performing work under this contract, Contractor, and his/her employees’ vehicle operation and conduct shall conform to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations and other.

applicable state regulations. Specifically, no vehicles shall be operated off developed roadways.

(unless authorized by the COR or GR) or more than posted speed limits and directional signs or in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner.

16. Damage to Government Facilities

Contractor shall be responsible for any damages to Refuge property and facilities which occur because of work performed as part of this contract. Caution shall be taken when working in or around Refuge facilities. If damages occur, Contractor shall repair.

or replace damaged features or facilities to the standards or specifications for which they previously existed as determined by the COR or GR. If Contractor fails to perform adequate restoration, the Refuge reserves the right to have the work completed and take the necessary actions, including withholding payment, to ensure restitution is made.

17. Environment

Contractor shall comply with all Federal, State, and Local environmental laws, rules, and regulations. Any apparent conflict between compliance with such Federal, State, or Local laws, rules, and regulations and compliance with the requirements of the contract shall be immediately brought to the attention of the CO, COR, or GR for final resolution. Contractor shall notify the CO, COR, or GR in writing in addition to any verbal notification of such conflicts. Contractor shall be liable for all fines, penalties, and costs resulting from violations of or failure to comply with all such Federal, State, or Local laws, rules, and regulations.

18. Permits/Licenses

Contractor shall, without additional expense to the Government, be responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, permits, and letters of certification.