DFW-2018-018_Request for Proposals Muddy Brook Bee Surveys.pdf

Request for Proposals

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Biodiversity Initiative

RFR# DFW-2018-018

2018 Canopy Bee Surveys at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, MA

Introduction:

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is seeking Proposals to sample and study the vertical distribution of bee species in a hardwood forest immediately adjacent to actively managed scrub oak-heath barrens at Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Hardwick, Massachusetts (locus: Figure 01).

MassWildlife is in the midst of extensive ecological restoration on the WMA to restore large tracts of the fire-influenced natural communities that were once dominant in the Muddy Brook Valley. Associated with this restoration work has been ongoing monitoring and inventory projects, including formal pre-and-post management bee investigations within control and managed areas of Muddy Brook WMA (Milam and King 2016). This previous work has shown a strong positive effect of management on bee abundance and diversity at Muddy Brook WMA, as well as the presence of several species characteristic of the barrens bee fauna. However, because all bee sampling from this previous effort took place on the ground level, it is possible that the lower captures in control areas were an artifact of a lack of vertical sampling. This Request for Proposals is to investigate whether the hardwood forests immediately adjacent to the managed barrens may support previously undetected native bee diversity and abundance.

Project Objectives:

1. To quantify the vertical distribution of bees in a New England hardwood forest immediately adjacent to managed fire-influenced natural communities.

2. To quantify the temporal distribution of bees from May through September using vane traps to evaluate whether bee abundance and diversity in the forest canopy, forest ground level, or control traps exhibit an association with the availability of flowers in tree canopies, forest floor spring ephemerals, or floral resources within treatment sites.

Project Approach:

This project is complementary to the previous phase of bee research that was conducted at Muddy Brook WMA (Milam & King 2016), which sampled 20 repeatable ground-level transects (10 in control and 10 in managed areas) prior to and following major restoration activities at the site. This Request for Proposals is to re-sample the 10 control sites that were established from the previous phase of the study using paired flight intercept traps suspended from >15m and 0.5 m at each control site. Trapping will be continual, with samples collected every three weeks, beginning with the emergence of Acer rubrum flowers and continuing until early October. All bees that are collected will be identified, and the results will be used to contrast bee communities between the forest control areas and the treatment areas during the earlier phase of the study.

Project Methodology:

The project shall be initiated during the spring of 2018. Specifically:

- This project will sample the 10 previously established control sites at Muddy Brook WMA.

- Paired flight intercept traps will be established at each control site. One flight intercept trap will be suspended in the canopy (> 15 m), ideally at the lowest leaf-bearing branch on each tree, and a second trap at the ground level (0.5m) suspended from a pole, following Ulyshen et al. (2010).

- Trees within each control area used to support the canopy flight intercept traps will be selected as follows:

Ten total dominant canopy trees will be selected (one tree for each control area) Three trees from each of the three most common tree species in the study area will be selected The tenth tree species will be selected randomly

- Flight-intercept traps will be constructed following Ulyshen et al. (2010).

- Flight intercept traps will be deployed to coincide when Acer rubrum is flowering, and will remain in place through early-October.

- Trapping will be continual with samples collected every three weeks. If it is a dry, hot summer, traps will be checked more frequently to make sure that the trap buckets contain fluid. Propylene glycol will be added to trap buckets to preserve the catch.

- All collected bee specimens shall be washed, dried, pinned and identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible.

Deliverables:

- Complete species list, with each individual linked to trap height, associated tree species (if applicable) and control area (transect).

- A report discussing the methods and outcomes of this project, particularly focused upon contrasting between the bee communities in forested and treatment areas during the earlier phase of the study

(previous data sets and reports will be provided).

Considerations:

This project will span two fiscal years: FY2018 (07/01/2017 - 06/30-2018) and FY 2019 (07/01/2018 - 06/30-2019).

MassWildlife anticipates the full scope of this project to be completed by December 31, 2018.

Bidders’ Conference:

None, but bidders are encouraged to visit sites before submitting a bid.

Funding Available and Invoicing Requirements:

Up to $8,500 in available funds; Work completed by June 30, 2018 MUST be invoiced no later than July 15, 2018.

Work completed after June 30, 2018 may be invoiced any time prior to June 30, 2019. Final Payment will not be issued until all deliverables have been received and approved by MassWildlife staff.

Bid Due Date:

Bid must be received by MassWildlife, through Commbuys, by Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm.

Instructions for Submission of Responses:

Submit proposals via the Commonwealth’s Online Procurement System – CommBuys at https://www.commbuys.com/bso/.

For application questions please contact Lori Cookman, Fiscal Program Coordinator, at 508-389-6371 or at lori.cookman@state.ma.us .

For more project information contact Chris Buelow, Restoration Ecologist, at 508-389-6350 or at chris.buelow@state.ma.us .

All questions must be received no later than Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm. Questions and answers will be posted as an attachment on Commbuys on Friday, February 16, 2018.

All responses must include all of the documents listed below. As part of the electronic quote process, Commbuys requires that bidders accept and agree to the terms of all bid attachments to this RFR.

Failure to provide the required items listed below may result in the rejection of your bid as INCOMPLETE AND

NON-RESPONSIVE.

1) Detailed project narrative explaining how the project objectives will be met

2) Detailed description of relevant organizational experience as well as the resumes of personnel involved in the project with specific reference to their experience in conducting the type of work described in this RFP.

3) Mandatory Bid Sheet outlining project costs

Upon contract award, vendors will be required to submit the following forms.

1) MA Standard Contract Form

2) Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing

3) Commonwealth Terms and Conditions

4) W-9 Request for Taxpayer ID (unless already on file with the state)

5) Authorization for Electronic Funds Payment (EFT) (if not already on file with the state)

6) Prompt Payment Discount Form

7) Revenue Enforcement and Protection Certificate

8) Compliance with MA Security Law https://www.commbuys.com/bso/ mailto:lori.cookman@state.ma.us mailto:chris.buelow@state.ma.us

MANDATORY BID SHEET

RFR DFW-2018-018 CANOPY BEE SURVEYS AT MUDDY BROOK WMA, HARDWICK

Treatment Total Amount ($)

1) Field Work FY18 (Spring 2018-June 30, 2018):

2) Field Work FY19 (July 1, 2018-October 2018):

3) Bee Processing:

4) Data Compilation/Reporting:

5) Materials:

6) Other: $

TOTAL BID (Sum of items 1-6 from above)