B08_RFQ_Att2_AMIS_SOW.pdf

SCOPE OF WORK

March 9th, 2023

Amistad National Recreation Area

Del Rio, Texas

Integrate a Detection K9 into

Watercraft Inspections to Sniff

Out Zebra and Quagga Mussel

1 Project Introduction

Integrate a Detection K9 into Watercraft Inspections to Sniff Out Zebra and Quagga

Mussels

Park Name and Address:

Amistad National Recreation Area 10477 Highway 90 West

Del Rio, Texas 78840

1.1 Location and Facilities

Service location will be in Del Rio, TX. Situated on the United States-Mexico border, Amistad

National Recreation Area (AMIS). The nearest cities of any size are San Angelo (150 miles), Laredo, (180 miles), and San Antonio (153 miles). Amistad NRA is known primarily for excellent year-round water-based recreation including boating, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, and water-skiing. Amistad also provides opportunities for picnicking, camping and hunting.

Lake Amistad at Amistad National Recreation Area has many boat ramps that are open for boaters and selected for inspections by regular staff and K9. Some of these ramps are Diablo

East, Rough Canyon, Box Canyon, Southwinds Marina, and Spur 454.

1.2 Short Project Description

Amistad National Recreation Area has been working on prevention of zebra/quagga mussels since

2014 using education, early detection monitoring and voluntary boat inspections. In the past few years we have incorporated canines to our boat inspection program.

The purpose of this project is to bring a canine and handler to inspect watercrafts for the presence of zebra and quagga mussels at designated boat ramps and to conduct shorelines searches, Modified Portland traps inspections and assist with educational activities at Amistad National

Recreation Area.

See: Detailed Project Description 4.3

1.3 NPS Points of Contact

Jack Johnson

Acting Chief Interpretation and Resource Management

Park Archeologist

10477 Highway 90 West

(O) 830-775-7492 x 2232

Christina Ortiz

Administrative Officer

Certifying Funds Approver

10477 Highway 90 West

(O) 830-775-7492 x 2209

Joanny Guindin

Park Biological Science Technician

10477 Highway 90 West

(O) 830-775-7492 x 2229

2 Project Requirements

2.0 Scope of Work and Project Summary/Requirements

Amistad National Recreation Area (AMIS) created a Zebra and Quagga Mussel

Prevention Plan in 2015 which includes education, monitoring and voluntary boat inspections. In 2017 AMIS incorporated a detection K9 to the voluntary boat inspection program.

This enhanced the visitor interest and excitement about invasive species issues, which eases the inspection process that can normally be considered a burden to most boaters. We have experienced in the past a more friendly and curious approach from the visitors when a K9 is on site giving us a better opportunity to educate boaters about the zebra and quagga mussel threat. From October

2017 to October 2022 a total of 4,645 boats were inspected by the K9.

We would like to continue working with detection canines during high boating season and incorporate the canine during special events and ZQM early detection and monitoring process.

2.1 Minimize Impacts

No environmental impacts.

2.2 Project Coordination

The Contracting Officer (CO) will provide all necessary written notification and/or direction to the contractor.

2.3 Quality Control

The quality of all work shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.

2.4 Working Hour Restrictions

Detection canine and handler will provide inspections services at designated locations for 10 weeks.

Time at the boat ramp may vary from 4 to 6 hours a day depending on boat traffic. Canine and handler are expected to work from 24 up to 40 hours a week. The detection canine and handler will be incorporated to the early detection and monitoring process, inspecting shorelines and marinas. Weekends and holidays are authorized.

3 Performance Requirements

3.1 Protection

During boat inspections at designated boat ramps safety equipment is required.

Safety equipment and standards shall be required and followed as per OSHA regulations.

Safety Equipment includes:

Traffic cones

Orange traffic safety vests

Chocks for the trailer (optional)

First Aid Kit

3.2 Vendor Support

Zebra and quagga mussel educational material for the public.

Final report detailing the number of inspections carried out and a field log of field research activities for mussel shoreline searches.

4 Project Description

4.1 Watercraft Inspection

Detection canine and handler shall provide inspections services at designated boat ramps up to 40 hours. The boat ramps will be selected on site by NPS staff.

4.2 Shoreline Inspections and Modified Portland Sampler

Shoreline inspections will be performed at Rough Canyon, Rough Canyon Marina, Box

Canyon, Diablo East, Spur 454, and Southwinds Air Force Marina. Inspectors will walk a total of 100 ft, following the shoreline, stopping every 5 feet, and pulling up medium size rocks (size range 2.5–10.1 in) from the water. The rocks collected will be visually inspected by AMIS inspectors for any attached dreissenid mussels, then placed in a row on a dry surface or inside a box for the K9 to sniff them out.

The K9 and handler also will be working with AMIS field staff to inspect the ZQM Portland

Sampler traps, which consist of a Brillo pad enclosed by a PVC pipe. These traps are tied to the end of Diablo East dock, Rough Canyon dock and Rough Canyon Marina, and Box

Canyon dock submerged in three-meter-deep water. Detection canine and handler will be incorporated into the ZQM early detection and monitoring process.

The time spent during any of these monitoring strategies may vary.

4.3 Detailed Project Description

In December 2018, Amistad received the first positive DNA test results indicating zebra mussel

DNA presence in the lake. Subsequent testing so far has been “negative” for zebra mussel DNA.

In February of 2021, Lake Amistad was classified as “positive” for quagga mussels by the state of

Texas, meaning that the larvae of the invasive mussel had been detected one or more than one occasion. Suspicious mussel larvae were found in several water samples during microscopy analysis and later identified as quagga mussels through qPCR analysis. However, as of the time of this report, no further samples have been positive, and no adult mussels have been observed in the lake, so it is not considered “infested,” or having an established, reproducing population. If no further positive tests occur in the next four years, the reservoir’s will be delisted (we need 5 consecutive calendar years without positive detections).

As outlined in the park’s Zebra and Quagga Mussel Response Plan (NPS, 2020), implementing a canine into watercraft inspections and shoreline searches would facilitate staff to map the possible extent of zebra or quagga mussel presence, especially in searching for the presence of an entire organism, either larvae or a juvenile/adult stage mussel that would help clarify the lake’s status.

Amistad NRA requires a certified canine (trained to detect zebra and quagga mussels) and handler to perform watercraft inspections (WIT 2 certified), conduct shorelines searches, Modified

Portland traps inspections and assist with educational activities.

Canine boat inspections conduct shorelines searches, Modified Portland traps inspections and educational activities are required during the spring for approximately five weeks (starting in

April), and again during the fall (for approximately five weeks) into our voluntary boat inspection program, when our high season for Bass fishing tournaments is in place.

4.4 Overall Requirement

• One (1) mussel certified detection canine and one (1) dog handler shall provide inspection services at designated boat ramps, conduct shorelines searches, Modified Portland traps inspections and assist with educational activities.

• Contractor shall attend media events as requested.

• Contractor shall attend meet and greets with the public as requested, for example campground walk through and fishing tournament registration events.

• Dogs shall be certified in mussel detection and accompanied by a certified dog handler.

• Dog handler shall be a minimum of Watercraft Inspection Training WIT 2 certified to serve as a backup inspector for NPS staff for short 10–15-minute periods during staff breaks.

• Safety equipment and standards shall be required and followed as per OSHA regulations.

• Any findings from either shoreline searches, Modified Portland sampler or watercraft inspections will be shared with AMIS staff first and must seek approval before releasing information to the general public through social media or other outlets.

The contractor shall provide a final report detailing the number of inspections carried out and a field log of field research activities for mussel shoreline searches.

4.5 Deliverables

Detection canine and handler contractor deliverables:

• Provide certification of mussel detection dog that will be at location.

• Provide certificate of dog handler that will be at location.

• Alternate schedules can be submitted and are desired to allow for maximum flexibility.

• Schedule shall take into consideration requested months.

• Accommodate preferred dates if possible.

• Provide out brief to the Aquatic Invasive Species coordinator or their alternate.

• Provide summary report of visitor contacts, media contacts, and demonstrations performed upon completion of contract.

• Prove field logs of field activities (shoreline searches) and results of surveys.

Total anticipated hours for the project: 24 – 40 hours per week