B08_Solicitation_(Attachment_1_-_SOW).docx

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

STATEMENT OF WORK:

Zebra Mussel Veliger and Spiny Water Flea Sample Analysis

(5-year BPA – 2024/2025/2026/2027/2028)

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

11 June 2024

Statement of Work:

Purpose The National Park Service (NPS) - St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) is home to imperiled species of native mussels and fish, important cultural resources, and important aquatic habitats. Recent work suggests invasive zebra mussels have expanded their reach within the park. The park has increased efforts to detect invasive mussels in park waters through a combination of passive sampler deployments, eDNA work, dive surveys, and veliger (larval stage) sampling. Spiny water fleas have not been documented within the park, but staff have begun monitoring for them as part of early detection efforts.

SACN plans to continue zebra mussel veliger and spiny water flea sampling throughout the St. Croix River and several Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes within the watershed identified as high risk for infestation as an early detection tool. However, SACN has an identified need for a contractor to analyze samples for veligers and spiny water fleas.

Scope / Tasks / Description of Agreement The Contractor shall provide all necessary parts, labor, materials, transportation, equipment, and facilities necessary to identify and analyze samples of water that may contain zebra mussel larvae (veligers) and/or spiny water fleas. This will include sample preparation as described below:

The park has an annual minimum analysis need of 67 samples each of zebra mussel veliger and spiny water flea. The number of samples may increase pending monitoring and testing needs.

Samples will be collected and provided to the lab for zebra mussel veliger and spiny water flea analysis. Plankton samples are to be analyzed at a veliger identification laboratory capable of analysis for the presence of planktotrophic bivalve larvae (e.g., Dreissena veligers) using cross-polarized microscopy. Plankton samples are to be prepared and analyzed using methods to increase the likelihood of detecting and identifying veligers within the matrix of inorganic and organic particulates found in typical plankton samples (e.g., sediment, algae, and zooplankton).

Samples should be analyzed and results reported back to SACN with thirty (30) calendar days following the receipt of samples, unless prior arrangement have been made.

Collections shall occur in future dates to be identified by SACN staff identified below. No services shall be furnished without prior approval of the Contracting Officer (CO) or authorized callers, meaning those authorized to issue a call or place an order under the BPA.

Detailed Description of Field and Lab Work SACN staff will collect water samples annually, using vertical or oblique plankton tows with a 63-micron mesh net and following methods generally consistent with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Veliger Sampling Protocol (2021). National Park Service will use data collection sheets provided by the contractor to record sample information. Data sheets provided by the contractor will be categorized by ‘Infested Waters’ and ‘Early Detection in Un-infested Waters’. SACN will be responsible for sample delivery/shipping to the Contractor, using Chain of Custody Record forms provided by the contractor to record sample information to accompany data sheets. The Contractor will process SACN samples of water that may contain zebra mussel veligers and spiny water fleas and analyze as described below:

To process a water quality sample that may contain zebra mussel larvae (veligers) and spiny water fleas, a contractor would be expected to:

· Visually analyze samples via cross-polarized microscopy. Multiple aliquots of preserved sample would be observed on a slide or Sedgewick-Rafter cell, starting with lower magnification and moving to higher magnification as needed to confirm identification.

· Indicate presence/absence of veligers and/or spiny water fleas in sample.

· Enumerate veligers and spiny water fleas in sample and back-calculate number per volume, based on net aperture and tow length.

· Document whether veligers and/or spiny water fleas were live or dead at collection.

· Photograph veligers and/or spiny water fleas in each positive sample.

· Track samples through lab process and record project-specific data on sample log.

Data Reporting Analysis method, analysis date and time, dilution factor, sample reporting limit of analysis method, sample result, and signature of individual approving the report will be documented on a separate laboratory sheet for each sample. The final report should be in .pdf format for narrative text; raw data should also be provided in tabular form in .xls format.

Sampling Requests Sampling requests may be ordered only by authorized employees. Authorized agency personnel to place these calls will be available after award.

If an order/call is made by an individual not included on the authorized list, the call will be at the sole responsibility of the Contractor. Those individuals authorized to place orders/calls under this agreement shall do so by telephone or email.

Record of Service Call/Tickets On the last day of each month for which there was service by the Contractor, the Contractor shall send the COR on the contract an invoice of all services provided. The purpose is to double-check services rendered with the park lead and to prepare supporting materials for the BPA call.

Place of Performance The work required for this agreement will be at the Contractor’s laboratory.

Period of Performance The award will be for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for a term of five years from July 15, 2024, until December 31, 2028, or a maximum purchase amount of $60,000. The following period of performance dates will apply:

Year #1: 7/15/2024 – 12/31/2024 Year #2: 1/1/2025 – 12/31/2025 Year #3: 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026 Year #4: 1/1/2027 – 12/31/2027 Year #5: 1/1/2028 – 12/31/2028

Extent of Obligation The Government is obligated only to the extent of authorized purchases made under the BPA. This BPA can be discontinued upon thirty (30) days written notice by either party. The Contractor is required to immediately notify the CO, in writing, if at any time the Contractor/Business is no longer professionally viable to honor the terms of the BPA.

Review Procedures The CO and/or authorized callers shall review this BPA at least annually. Within thirty (30) days of the anniversary date of this BPA, the parties shall review it to determine whether changing market conditions, availability/quality of services and other pertinent circumstances require modifications or termination of the BPA.

Quality Assurance Requirement The Contractor must provide a quality assurance report with each set of results. The quality assurance report must document the data results, methods used to quantify each parameter, the results of quality control measures, and the level of precision that was obtained. The report must also contain a description of 1) any laboratory coding or flags for individual results, analytical problems and their resolution, 2) qualifications on use of the data, and/or 3) other interpretations that would be useful to SACN when using the data in reports or publications. SACN will periodically evaluate the Contractor’s performance in accordance with the statement of work.

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