Bull_Trout_Tributary_Single_Source_Justification.pdf

140R1725Q0043 Page 1 of 3

WBR 1413.106-1 Template 1 eFile - B02

(11/2020)

DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM A SINGLE SOURCE

Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) Contracting Officers may solicit from only one source if the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source is reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization).

Pursuant to FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(ii), when a single source is identified to provide a portion of the purchase as a Brand-Name, the documentation in paragraph 3 must state that this determination is only for a portion of the requirement.

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Columbia-Pacific Northwest Region, Team 2, Service/Supply

2. Name and Address of Single Source.

Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife 600 Capital Way N Olympia, WA 98501-1076

3. Description of Supplies/Services and Estimated Cost.

The purpose of this procurement is to establish safe fish passage conditions in the Yakima River Basin for upstream and downstream moving adult Bull Trout in tributaries that flow into Reclamation reservoirs that become intermittent on the reservoir lakebed during the Bull Trout spawning migration period. Under the Endangered Species Act, Reclamation has a responsibility to maintain access for Bull Trout to spawning tributaries that flow across reservoir lakebeds. The work will include monitoring tributary flow conditions within the inundation zone for Keechelus, Kachess, Bumping, and Rim Rock Reservoirs and building a temporary flume to facilitate successful fish passage when tributary passage becomes disconnected. The goal of the temporary fish flume(s) is to move bull trout from an unfavorable condition to an established body of water to ensure survival. Intermittent flow conditions that block fish migration typically occur in drought years. Recovering juvenile Bull Trout from dewatered reaches for either captive rearing or placement in perennial stream reaches is considered a priority conservation measure. The estimated cost is This work typically takes place from July 1st – Oct 31st.

4. Description of Circumstances, including why only one source is reasonably available.

In accordance with (IAW) FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), only one source will be solicited because of the urgency of this requirement

To ensure the survival of Bull Trout, this requirement must be performed during the drought season typically between July 1, 2025 and October 31,2025. The Washington Department of

140R1725Q0043 Page 2 of 3

WBR 1413.106-1 Template 1 eFile - B02

(11/2020)

Fish and Wildlife has been performing this work through contracts with Reclamation since before 2001 and are considered to be the subject matter expert in the preservation and survival of Bull Trout in the Yakima River Basin.

Washington State has declared a third consecutive drought in the Yakima River Basin. Reservoir levels are at or near record lows with reservoir storage currently at 53.3% of average and 40% water supply for pro-rated irrigation districts. Stream flows and reservoir levels are critically low and fish passage conditions have deteriorated with some streams completely disconnecting from the reservoirs. Bull trout are a threatened species, and the timing of the dewatering and poor fish passage conditions is occurring during their spawning migration. Without immediate restoration of volitional fish passage, an entire year class of bull trout will be lost which could lead to the extirpation of these Bull Trout populations.

Fish passage conditions on tributaries to Rimrock, Keechelus, Bumping and Kachess reservoirs are monitored to identify and remedy fish passage issues that develop as reservoir levels decline. Monitoring typically occurs from late June into October with drought and water storage issues playing a role in the timing, duration, and extent of stream de-watering and degradation of fish passage. Monitoring these streams is required to provide immediate relief as fish passage issues develop. At each site, small scale fish passage features are constructed and maintained by hand throughout the summer. Small scale fish passage fixes are conducted weekly, and if severe issues exist, a temporary fish passage flume is constructed.

Providing fish passage is required as mitigation for the operation of United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) reservoirs in the delivery of water for irrigation in the Yakima Basin.

WDFW are co-managers of Bull Trout in Washington state and have state regulatory authority on waters of the state. WDFW has expertise and has written the manual on fish passage requirements for migrating fish species in the state. WDFW is uniquely qualified to act quickly with permits and to mobilize to alleviate fish passage issues

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Bureau of Reclamation, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Department of Ecology, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Yakima Nation is currently in place. The MOU provides a framework that facilitates coordination and cooperation among the agencies to support (through planning, funding, etc.), develop, and implement bull trout restoration and enhancement actions within the Yakima River Basin, Reclamation will be subject to fines if the terms of the MOU are not carried out.

5. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Price.

Fair and reasonable price will be determined IAW FAR 13.106-3(a)(2) Comparison of the proposed price with prices found reasonable on previous purchases for the same services.