C04b Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement 1284LM26Q0135.docx

Little Missouri National Grassland Butterfly, Skipper and Skipperling Survey Attachment 1: Performance Work Statement A. General Information

1. Background and Purpose The primary objective of this contract is presence/absence surveys for the Dakota Skipper, with a secondary objective of surveying other butterflies, skippers, and skipperlings. Particularly, U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species (RFSS) for the DPG and those lepidopteran species that are spatially and temporarily related to Dakota Skipper. Lepidopteran species on the DPG’s RFSS list include the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus – also a USFWS Proposed species), regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia – USFWS Proposed species), Ottoe skipper (Hesperia ottoe), and tawny crescent (Phyciodes batesii). General USFWS Survey Guidelines (2024 or 2026 protocol if updated) should be followed, but the intent of these surveys is primarily to determine presence. We would like the surveyor to focus on less-intensive and more geographically broad surveys within the generally identified survey locations to identify all butterfly species, rather than three intensive surveys to confirm an area is not occupied by the Dakota skipper.

1.1 Location

The project location is within the McKenzie Ranger District and Medora Ranger District in McKenzie and Billings Counties, North Dakota on the Little Missouri National Grassland (LMNG). Table 1 identifies the areas proposed for survey work and are listed in order of priority and for days allowed. Please note that only portions of these areas contain suitable habitat for the Dakota Skipper. Most areas should be accessible by road. Survey areas have been selected based on general habitat. More detailed information about survey locations will be available prior to survey time to help focus survey effort. LMNG biologists intend to have the proposed areas refined for occupancy surveys with habitat surveys being completed and/or mapped by USFS staff prior to the flight window.

Table 1. Priority DASK survey sites within the Little Missouri National Grassland

T145R98W, T145R99W, T145R100W, T145R101W T146R98W, T146R99W, T146R100W T147R98W, T147R99W, T147R100W

B. Contractor Requirements

2. Contractor Qualifications One of the species to be searched for in this contract, Dakota Skipper (Hesperia dacotae), may not be readily identified in the field without specialized training and experience. Additionally, the Dakota Skipper is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Because of the ESA status and the high skill level needed for proper identification of this species, the head field surveyor(s) must have a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 10(a) (1) (A) permit for Dakota Skipper at the time the contract is awarded.

3. Contractor Tasks

3.1 Task 1: Twelve (12) days of field work in order of priority shown in Table 1 (Section A, 1.1 Location).

Complete surveys with the methods provided in the 2024-2025 USFWS Dakota Skipper survey protocol in order of priority on Table 1 (Section A, 1.1 Location).

The most focused counting of individuals should be on Dakota Skipper, and secondary counting importance should be given to USFS Forest Service Region 1 sensitive species and species that serve as good phenological indicators for Dakota Skipper emergence. Estimated numbers of other butterfly, skipper, and skipperling species will be provided by the contractor. Information will be displayed in GIS as listed in the attribute tables presented as attachments to this scope of work.

Exact GPS points will be collected for Dakota Skipper and USFS Region 1 sensitive species. The contractor will submit the GPS points as an electronic GIS point shapefile with the final GIS deliverables, and information for these species will be as listed in attribute table.

Other species will be associated with the respective survey polygons/track lines (and associated information in GIS attribute table). The contractor will record GPS track lines while surveying and submit the GPS tracks as a line shapefile with the final deliverables. GIS files should be submitted in WGS-84 datum or if using another datum, please identify so the files can be converted.

Survey Methodology will follow the Dakota Skipper North Dakota Survey Protocol (at Dakota Skipper Occupancy Survey Protocol for North Dakota (usda.gov) or equivalent if updated by USFWS.

Results of the survey will be reviewed by DPG to make sure that surveys stay within guidelines set within USFWS permit. The Contractor will notify, by phone or email message, the COR and District on-site contracts if Dakota Skipper are located within one working day of the sighting.

Per USFWS guidelines, the contractor shall provide habitat information for areas that Dakota Skippers are surveyed, including information about flora of area and objective comments about other habitat conditions (such as grazing, habitat disturbances, and soils). Weather information (wind, temperature, cloud cover) will be recorded. The condition and sex of Dakota Skipper should be noted.

The successful Contractor will survey the project area during optimal flight periods for Dakota Skipper. Surveys must be done within the Dakota Skipper survey window, which has ranged from June 12th thru July 19th, (see Survey Ground Rules section of survey ground rules of Dakota Skipper North Dakota Survey Protocol for survey start requirements). The Contractor will also record the duration and time to detection of first Dakota skipper observed.

* Dates may vary due to of Dakota Skipper life cycle and/or weather conditions.

3.2 Task 2: Draft & Final Work Plan.

The Work Plan shall be submitted by the Contractor and sent to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative in an electronic format (e.g., Microsoft Word or Adobe .pdf). The plan will outline the Contractor’s methods for efficiently surveying target organisms. Following a USFS review of the Work Plan, DPG personnel will provide the Contractor with comments.

The Work Plan shall be revised by the Contractor based on USFS comments and a revised/corrected report must be submitted. Data consistency must exist between reports and GIS deliverables.

The Contractor will have two (2) workdays to correct errors and to submit a revised Work Plan, including edits based on USFS provided comments.

The Work Plan shall include at a minimum:

a. Survey methods.

b. The data dictionary that will be used in the field in table format (see excel tables at an attachment for this scope of work) for collecting GIS data and a list of GIS data to be collected.

c. Estimated field work schedules with surveyor(s); and,

d. General area maps where the Contractor will search for Dakota skipper (and sensitive butterfly species).

3.3 Task 3: Progress Report

Within a week of completion of Dakota Skipper adult season (usually late July-early August), the contractor will submit a brief Progress Report, which will be submitted electronically by e-mail, addressed to the Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer Representative, DPG Biologist/Program Manager, and the Ranger District representative.

The Progress Report shall include a description of where, how, and when surveys were conducted, if any Dakota Skipper or sensitive species were sighted, and if any problems were encountered (e.g., weather, access, road conditions, etc.).

3.4 Task 4: Final Report/GIS Data Deliverable. See Section 4 for description.

4. Deliverables The Contractor shall submit Draft and final Reports in electronic format (e.g., Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe .pdf files). Anything that is sent to the USFWS for reporting of the Dakota Skipper survey to meet USFWS requirements should also be sent to DPG.

This may or may not include what is mentioned below for reporting. At a minimum, the Draft and Final reports for shall contain:

Report (Electronic)

Report should contain the following sections:

· A table of contents.

· Page numbers.

· A description of the survey areas, methods, and techniques used.

· A summary of the season’s survey findings, including all butterfly species observed.

· An appendix containing a copy of field notes and 10(a)(1)(A) Permit of surveyors (personal information shall be excluded from permits for security purposes);

· Images: Ground level views of habitat during surveys. Photographs of Dakota Skipper showing clear identification of the species.

· Site specific information including:

· The date of each survey.

· List of butterflies, skippers, and skipperlings observed.

· Maps showing survey tracks, survey areas, and butterfly points for ESA listed/USFS Sensitive Region 1 species (these items will also need to be provided in GIS files as well with appropriate attribute data, see GIS Deliverable section below).

· For each survey include weather conditions: wind speed (or Beaufort Scale), air temperature, cloud cover, and the time at beginning and end of each survey route. In addition, include the number of flowering plants encountered during the survey (see Data Sheet in Appendix B in 2023-2024 Dakota Skipper North Dakota Survey Protocol).

GIS Deliverable

· Include coordinate system, projection, and datum with all GIS data. GIS files should be submitted in WGS-84 datum or if using another datum, please identify so the files can be converted.

· GIS data showing survey tracks and survey areas (with a relate list to each area of non-sensitive/ ESA listed butterflies), and butterfly points for ESA listed/USFS Sensitive Region 1 species (GIS data should have appropriate attribute information).

· Electronic files of the Draft Report/GIS Deliverable sent on thumb drive or via e-mail

work plan.

5. Period of Performance Award date through November 8, 2027. All annual work shall be completed, including clean-up and final inspection. The Contractor shall maintain progress at a rate that will assure completion of the work within the time specified herein.

Start Work: It is estimated that the work (beginning with work plan) will begin after date of award. Field work is expected to begin around June 15th (first Dakota Skipper emergence date).

6. Government Furnished Property The Forest Service, DPG will provide the following items:

· Little Missouri National Grassland Visitor Map

· Little Missouri National Grassland electronic (GIS format) Land Ownership layer and other associated layers with attribute fields.

· Little Missouri National Grassland electronic (GIS Format) and PDF maps of prioritized survey locations

· Off Road Vehicle Use Permit: Upon request by the Contractor, the DPG will authorize and issue an off-road vehicle use permit. A four-wheel drive (4 x 4) or UTV vehicle is recommended for site access.

7. Travel Any travel related costs will not be reimbursed as a separate line item. All travel expenses must be built into the Contractor’s quote.

8. Section 508 All final reports will be 508-compliant.

9. Performance Requirement Measures All draft and final reports must follow professional standards for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The Forest Service will not provide clerical services for the purpose of completing contract requirements.