Bat_survey_2023_SOW.pdf

Camp Edwards 2023 Bat Survey RFP Page 1 of 11

Massachusetts Army National Guard ------ Camp Edwards Training Site

Northern Long-eared Bat Mist Net Surveys 2023

Request for Proposals and Scope of Work

Project Description:

The work to be accomplished under this contract, without limiting the generalities thereof, consists of providing all technical expertise, labor, equipment and supervision required for implementing year three of mist netting surveys for threatened and endangered species: Northern long-eared bat (NLEB, Myotis septentrionalis), Tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), and Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). The survey site is Camp Edwards (CPED), a Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAARNG) Training Site on Cape Cod, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Basic project duties include mist netting, radiotelemetry, and emergence surveys according to US Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines.

The NLEB was federally listed as a threatened species in May 2015 and changed to endangered species status in March 2023. The Tricolored bat has been proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Little brown bats are being evaluated for listing. Endangered species regulations and planning constraints (conservation measures, etc.) have potential to influence training activities and project implementation (e.g., timing restrictions) while also introducing permitting and coordination requirements through Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Permitting and planning require an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the presence of these species and their natural history at CPED.

Acoustic surveys at Camp Edwards began in 2014 and continued through 2021, including year round surveys in 2017-2020 (Figure 1). Past mist netting efforts in 2015 and 2016 focused on areas with NLEB acoustic detections and captured 5 NLEB, all of which were caught along the base boundary (Figure 2).

Although mist netting efforts focused on NLEB, the sites netted are also areas with Little brown bat and Tricolored bat acoustic detections; however, neither of these species have been captured in mist nets during any mist net survey including surveys in 1999 and 2000, prior to White Nose Syndrome (WNS).

Acoustic results also point to the presence of Eastern small footed bats (a state listed species), but none have been captured in nets. This effort will focus on capturing and tracking Myotid and Perimyotid bats utilizing the training area. The surveys will occur in the summer maternity season when pregnant/lactating females and their pups are most vulnerable. Identification of maternal roosts will aid in designing best management practices and conservation measures for military training and projects (e.g., prescribed fires, range development). This will minimize potential impacts to the species as well as support collaborative interagency consultation.

The work will be divided into two primary categories: mist-netting and radiotelemetry/emergence surveys. Mist-netting will occur from mid June to late July to target the capture of females during the maternity period. Telemetry and emergence surveys will take place once bats have been fitted with transmitters until the transmitters die or fall off the bats. Particular emphasis of telemetry is on identification of communal maternal roost sites.

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Figure 1. Summer Myotis activity at acoustic sites surveyed in 2016-2020 (WEST data visualization tool 2023). Note: 2014 and 2015 data not included as not incorporated into database; 2021 data is preliminary results.

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Figure 2. Northern long-eared bat mist netting and tracking efforts on Camp Edwards in 2015 and 2016.

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Surveys and analysis will follow the most current USFWS Summer Survey Guidelines (currently the 2023 Range-wide Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines, dated March 2023, referred to as Guidelines throughout this document), except for the ‘Minimum Sampling Requirements’.

The Guidelines may be accessed electronically at: https://www.fws.gov/media/range-wide-indiana-bat-and-northern-long-eared-bat-survey-guidelines.

Personnel working on this project must meet the criteria outlined in the above referenced Guidelines.

"Qualified Biologist(s)" assigned to the project must demonstrate experience mist-netting bats, attaching transmitters to bats, and overseeing projects as a "Qualified Biologist." A description of qualifications of personnel to perform each aspect (mist-netting, transmitter attachment, radiotelemetry, roost emergence surveys, etc.) of this project shall be submitted in the proposal. Proposals should break down the costs of the project by each component: mist-netting, radiotelemetry, and roost emergence surveys (more detail below). The work for this project includes but is not strictly limited to the following:

Permit and Study Plan

1. State and Federal Permits: The Natural Resource Office will apply for a permit with USFWS and MassWildlife. The contractor will comply with all permit conditions and requirements and also supply information required for permit reports to the Natural Resource Office. If necessary for the contractor to contact USFWS or MassWildlife, the Natural Resources Office will be included on all communications.

Mist-netting

1. Prioritize Mist-Netting Sites: Collaborate with the Natural Resource Office to identify and prioritize mist-netting locations based on past acoustic and mist netting results. The Natural Resource Office will provide any limitations on site access based on training conflicts. Final selection of sites will be approved by MAARNG.

2. Transmitters: MAARNG plans for 10 transmitters based on previous results and netting effort for FY23. Transmitters will be purchased by the contractor and should comply with the requirements in the Guidelines. Frequencies and proposed equipment should be previously coordinated with the Natural Resource Office to prevent overlap with radiotransmitters currently in the field.

3. Mist-netting: A base of 10 nights will be spent mist netting between mid-June and late July.

Additional mist-netting is included in the alternatives below. Mist netting may be conducted by two separate field crews at two separate locations to accomplish 2 net-nights per night, particularly if additional nights are contracted under Alternative Tasks. This would reduce residence time at Camp Edwards, including reducing potential weather and training conflicts.

The guidelines in the 2023 Indiana Bat and Northern Long-eared Bat Survey Guidelines will be followed for mist-netting except for the minimum level of effort. Mist-netting conditions must meet those outlined in the “Weather, Lighting, and other Environmental Conditions” section of the Guidelines. The contractor will plan trips to take advantage of favorable weather/moon conditions and not have staff on

Camp Edwards 2023 Bat Survey RFP Page 5 of 11 site on unsuitable net nights. Staff qualifications must meet the aforementioned Guidelines with a qualified biologist overseeing biological technicians with net placements close enough to maintain net-check timing.

4. Processing Bat Captures: Captured Myotis and Perimyotis will be affixed with a radiotransmitter and standard measurements will be taken including sex, reproductive condition, and age. Standard measurements will be taken on other bat captures as well.

5. Reporting: Daily reports should be provided via email to document nightly results. Overall results will be provided in the final report.

Radiotelemetry

1. Assumptions: The base level of telemetry will be equal to the base number of netting nights (10).

Telemetry will take between 1 and 4 hours per day depending on number of bats being tracked; multiple individuals may be tracked across the 15,000 acre area and surrounding communities concurrently.

Additional telemetry and emergence surveys, if required due to target captures beyond contracted telemetry and emergence survey effort, will be conducted by MAARNG personnel and closely coordinated with contractor personnel for guidance, locations, reporting, etc.

2. Roost searches: Once bats have been affixed with radiotransmitters through the mist-netting effort, daily radiotelemetry will begin to locate roost sites. Bat roost information should be recorded for each site in accordance with the Guidelines, referenced above. Daily telemetry will continue on all bats until the transmitters fall off or transmitter batteries die. If bats are tracked to roosts in off-limits areas, triangulation should be used to approximate bat locations (unless the site is open to the public). The Natural Resource Office will provide any limitations on site access based on training conflicts.

3. Data Analysis: Roost sites will be summarized as appropriate. Approximate locations will be calculated using triangulation for sites without direct access to roosts (e.g., military ordnance hazard, private property).

4. Reporting: Daily results will be provided via email with nightly netting results, including roost locations identified.

Roost emergence surveys

1. Assumptions: The base level of emergence surveys will be equal to the number of netting nights (10).

Emergence surveys will take approximately 2 hours per roost.

1. Roost surveys: Identified roost sites (prioritizing maternal sites) will be surveyed for occupancy and/or emergence consistent with the Guidelines. Dusk emergence surveys are the assumed standard to determine number of bats occupying a specific roost site and these surveys are an important step to determine overall site use, habitat selection, breeding success, relative importance of roost site (e.g., single breeding female vs. large colony), etc. Support with night-vision or infrared/thermal imaging

Camp Edwards 2023 Bat Survey RFP Page 6 of 11 and/or acoustic equipment is preferred, but not required depending on experience of observers and subject matter expert recommendation.

2. Reporting: Daily results will be provided via email with netting and telemetry results.

Final Reporting

A draft report should be provided to MAARNG for comment and tasks will be completed when MAARNG approves final deliverables.

Mist-netting results: The report will contain all items detailed under "Submission of Mist-Netting Results" in the Survey Guidelines. In addition, the report should also include:

a. Discussion of how sites were prioritized for mist-netting.

b. Maps indicating where each species was caught and where mist netting was done with no target species captures.

c. An analysis of the results for each species. If an expected species was not detected on base, the report should discuss future work to either document the species' absence from base or improve captures. Recommendations for out years should focus on increasing captures.

d. Based on study findings, the report should discuss any recommendations for future monitoring.

e Along with the report, electronic copies of a sampling of the bat and mist-net set up photos and the shapefiles will be submitted to the Natural Resource Office.

Radiotelemetry and emergence survey results: Data to include roost/bat locations and site metrics should be collected and reported according to USFWS standards in the Guidelines. Overall reporting will be included in the final report to include:

a. Maps for each bat indicating roost sites - separately depicting specific roosts identified in the field and triangulated positions for off-limits areas.

b. An analysis of the results for each species. If a species is detected on base, the results should describe the locations where the species was detected and any conclusions that can be drawn from their maternal roost choice. Recommendations for out years should focus on adjustments in transmitter choice or placement and recommendations for additional data recordings at maternal roost sites.

c. Based on study findings, the report should discuss any recommendations for future monitoring.

d. Along with the report, electronic copies of a sampling of the maternal roost site photos and the shapefiles will be submitted to the Natural Resource Office.

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"Alternate" Task Items

Alternate tasks are additional contract tasks that are considered discretionary due to funding constraints.

These items are critical for project success, but most could be implemented to a much lesser degree using MAARNG personnel at the expense of other ongoing actions. MAARNG requests proposals that include the additional task of additional days of combined netting/telemetry/emergence surveys.

Selections of tasks for final contracting will follow the sequential order of Base Contract (mist netting with attachment of transmitters, radiotelemetry, roost emergence surveys, final reporting), followed by additional mist netting/telemetry/emergence. Inclusion of the alternate tasks will primarily be decided by overall project cost. If alternate tasks are not selected for final contracting those duties will be conducted in-house by MAARNG field personnel supported by regular communication of findings from the vendor (e.g., capture/transmitter details to support telemetry or telemetry results to support roost surveys).

Additional mist netting nights and radiotelemetry/emergence survey days

1. Assumptions: Additional mist netting nights/telemetry and emergence survey days may be added on a per night/day basis depending on funding up to a maximum of 10 additional units. The unit should be considered one night of mist netting and one day of radiotelemetry and emergence surveys. Additional units, if selected, will be completed according to above specifications. The additional nights may be completed concurrent with other net nights at separate location by a second field crew to shorten actual nights in the field and reduce potential weather conflicts. If the additional units beyond the base contract, exceeds the availability of contractors for this bat maternity season, then the remaining nights can be completed in the summer of 2024, but will require an interim report in the winter of 2023-2024.

2. Reporting: Included with primary mist netting reporting. MAARNG conducted telemetry and emergence surveys, if completed based on additional mist netting effort, will be reported to contractor for inclusion with final report.

Contingency

If any portion of this contract goes unused (e.g. low target species captures decreases the need for radiotelemetry and emergence survey portions of contract), then funds for those services can be used for additional mist netting nights. Conversely, if captures exceed expectations, mist netting finds can be transferred to needed telemetry and emergence survey efforts to meet USFWS Guidelines.

If the Alternative Task Items beyond the base number of mist net nights, and telemetry and emergence days exceeds the availability of contractors for this bat maternity season, then the remaining nights can be completed in the summer of 2024 but will require an interim report in the winter of 2023-2024.

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Project Timeline (items should be completed no later than dates below):

The timeline indicates the latest dates that portions of the project should be started or completed. Ideally, the items will be started before the dates below; however unfavorable weather conditions will dictate the dates of mist-netting and hence the start of radiotelemetry.

• Late May: Project kickoff, evaluate past data to identify mist net sites

• Mid-June/early July: Conduct site visit with the Natural Resource Office to do initial site in-briefing, evaluate potential initial net sites, and coordinate logistics

Begin mist-netting efforts (daily results summary)

Begin radio-tracking bats

Begin emergence surveys of identified roosts

• Mid/late July: End mist netting

• Early August: End telemetry and emergence surveys

• 15 October: Submit draft report.

• 15 November: Submit final report.

Deliverables:

Deliverable and task completion will be communicated by MAARNG approval of submissions.

• Detailed field survey plan and schedule (due 21 May)

• Tentative initial mist netting sites (due 15 June)

• Progress reports (informal and via email acceptable) including successes and difficulties of ongoing efforts. (due as outlined in specific elements above)

• Informal summary of bat captures during mist-netting (1 August)

• Informal summary of the maternal roost sites located and emergence surveys (1 September).

• GIS shapefile(s) of mist-net locations and roost/bat locations meeting SDSFIE data standards for metadata and location quality.

• Electronic copies of a sampling of the bat, mist-net set up, and maternal roost site photos.

• Draft report for review by the Natural Resources Office.

• Final report for review by the Natural Resources Office.

Invoicing: Invoices may be submitted monthly or at completion of primary tasks with no more than 75% paid prior to receiving final deliverables. Scheduling will be agreed at project initiation. Contacts for electronic delivery will be provided at initiation.

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Proposal should include:

• Itemized costs for each phase of the project (mist-netting, radiotelemetry, emergence surveys) as specified in Cost Proposal Outline (i.e. bid form) and a total cost for each phase.

• Clearly outline qualifications of personnel dedicated to different aspects of the project and past experience conducting relevant portions of the work (mist-netting, transmitter attachment, radiotelemetry, and roost emergence surveys). Vendor qualifications will be evaluated for meeting requirements listed above (page 2). Vendors not meeting requirements outlined in the Guidelines will be disqualified.

• Expert understanding of species status and prior work with these species, particularly Northern Long-eared Bat, or similar species in similar circumstances (i.e. Indiana bat, New England region).

• The Base Contract for this RFP will be (1) mist-netting with transmitter attachment, (2) radiotelemetry and (3) roost emergence surveys. Alternate tasks for selection are additional nights of mist netting and days of radiotelemetry and emergence surveys (up to 10 units).

Proposals should include alternate tasks and the use of the word "alternate" is in a state contracting sense of additional tasks with optional inclusion (by MAARNG) with final contract -not to indicate replacement of other tasks.

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Cost Proposal Outline

This provides an outline on which to base cost proposals. The total amount (price and tasks) contracted is dependent upon ultimate cost proposals relative to funding. Whole phases (i.e., “alternatives”) or portions of phases may be eliminated or expanded based on costs. The cost proposal should be provided as below in such a way as to facilitate customization based on price (e.g., the inclusion of alternatives up to 10 units).

I. Base Contract Cost Proposal

Project Management Personnel Hours Rate Total Cost

Materials Units Cost/unit Total Cost

Task Total Project management costs description:

Mist Netting (per night; explain other units if provided; 10 nights base; include transmitters) Personnel Nights Rate Cost

Materials Units Cost/unit Cost

Mist netting cost description:

Radiotelemetry (10 days base)

Radiotelemetry cost description:

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Emergence surveys (10 evenings base)

Emergence survey cost description:

Additional Base Contract costs (if not directly included in tasks above) Item Units Cost/unit Cost

Additional base contract cost description:

II. Alternative Tasks Cost Proposals

Alternative: Additional mist netting nights and radiotelemetry/emergence survey days (see description above; discretionary addition of net nights up to 10 units)

Personnel Cost/unit

Materials Cost/unit

Per unit Total Additional mist netting night and rediotemelemtry/emergence survey days cost description: