DFW-2018-019_Request for Proposals_Birch Hill Bee Surveys.pdf

Request for Proposals

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Biodiversity Initiative

RFR# DFW-2018-019

2018 Bee Survey at Birch Hill WMA, Winchendon/Royalston, MA

Introduction:

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) is seeking Proposals to sample and study bee populations throughout the active 2018 bee season at the Birch Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Winchendon and Royalston, Massachusetts (locus: Figure 01). MassWildlife is about to initiate ecological restoration work on the WMA to restore large tracts of the fire-influenced natural communities that were historic to the Priest Brook section of the WMA, and to restore/reinvigorate the suite of highly specialized flora and fauna associated with these communities. Previous work at the Montague Plains WMA in Montague and the Muddy Brook WMA in Hardwick has shown a strong positive effect of management on bee abundance at both sites, as well as the co-occurrence of several species characteristic of the barrens bee fauna. Adding the Priest Brook Barrens at Birch Hill WMA will not only increase the power of the overall survey project, but it will also add a distinctive barrens community to the set (Birch Hill represents a more northerly expression of the barrens community).

One objective of this restoration work is to better understand how native bee populations are responding to management, and to apply this knowledge to inform management strategies across the region at similar sites. The intention of this sampling project is to establish a baseline measurement of bee populations on the site in order to quantify changes in the bee community resulting from restoration work at Birch Hill WMA, as well as to compare the results of this sampling to other inland barrens sites where recent survey efforts have been conducted.

Project Objectives:

1. Sample bees using standardized pan traps ("bee bowls") and visual methods including sweep-netting and hand capture at flowers.

2. Target bees through net collection on rare and distinctive plants underrepresented on transects, particularly species known to be used by oligolectic species.

3. Summarize findings and compare to bee fauna recently sampled at two other inland barrens sites.

Project Approach:

This project is complementary to the ongoing bee research being conducted at two other inland barrens restoration sites: Montague Plains WMA and Muddy Brook WMA (J. Milam, UMASS: 2008-2011, 2016). The research design involves pre-and-post management sampling along repeatable transects within restoration areas and control areas. Bee bowls are employed three times during the season along these transects at 3m intervals, and collections at each bowl are supplemented by 30 minutes of net collection within 1m of each bowl.

Additionally, time is also spent net collecting at distinctive nectar sources not represented at the points (bowls), especially sources that have the potential to support oligolectic bee species

Project Methodology:

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

- Twenty repeatable transects, each 60 m in length, will be established within the Priest Brook Barrens (10 in control sites and 10 in restoration areas). MassWildlife staff will be available to assist with site selection.

- Bee bowls will be deployed three times over the course of the season (early-spring, early summer, and fall) along each transect.

- Each transect shall support 20 bee bowls painted fluorescent blue, yellow or white, placed in alternating order along transects at 3 m intervals (LeBuhn et al. 2003.)

- Bowls will be set out on days with little or no wind or precipitation and with minimum temperatures in the low 60’s F. Bowls will be half filled with a solution of water and dishwashing liquid. Bowls will be deployed early in the morning and collected after 24 hrs.

- Bowl captures shall be supplemented with timed net-collection for 30 minutes on flowers within 1 meter adjacent to each bowl after bowls have been collected. Separate collection vials for different flower species shall be used. At the conclusion of sweep-netting along transects, flowering plants observed during sweeps shall be recorded.

- Sampling along transects shall be supplemented with targeted bee collection on rare and distinctive plants underrepresented on transects, particularly species known to be used by oligolectic bees.

- 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 capture method, nectar source (if applicable) and transect location (if applicable).

- A report discussing the bee fauna at the Priest Brook Barrens of the Birch Hill WMA, including inferences that can be drawn regarding the response of the bee community to habitat management, and comparison to the bee fauna sampled at Montague Plains WMA and Muddy Brook WMA (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-2018-019 BEE SURVEY AT BIRCH HILL WMA

Treatment Total Amount ($)

1) Field Work (FY18):

2)Field Work (FY19):

3)Bee Processing:

4)Data Compilation/Reporting:

5)Materials:

6)Other: $

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

Figure 01: Locus of Birch Hill WMA and the Priest Brook Barrens