A04_SOW_CLF-Rev1.docx

Scope of Work to Implement Bullfrog Eradication to Enhance Chiricahua Leopard Frog Recovery9 A. Authority

Economy Act of 1932, As Amended (31 U.S.C. 1535 & 1536)

B. Scope:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking the services of a contractor to implement Bullfrog Eradication efforts in Chiricahua leopard frog recovery units 1-3 as depicted in the species recovery plan. Contractor will conduct a systematic approach to bullfrog eradication in Recovery Units 1-3 of the Chiricahua leopard frog in southern Arizona as depicted in the Chiricahua leopard frog recovery plan (USFWS 2007). Contractor will follow the monitoring protocols for bullfrog eradication outlined in Hall and Morris (2014) and Rosen et al. (2013). Contractor will coordinate with public land managers and private landowners to address bullfrogs at sites identified as bullfrog positive sites based on surveys conducted in 2016, 2017, and 2018. If access to private property is denied to the contractor by private landowners, contractor will notify FWS and conduct no work at these sites. To prevent bullfrog immigration or to remove previously undetected frogs, contractor will monitor all identified buffer zones in Chiricahua leopard frog Recovery Units 1, 2, and 3 and remove all age classes of bullfrogs that are detected. Monitoring may include day and night visual encounter surveys, dip-netting, and seining to determine if frogs are still present at each site. Contractor will record all data, including but not limited to bullfrog and native species presence, on datasheets based on the Chiricahua leopard frog Visual Encounter Survey form and modified specifically for this type of effort (Hall 2015). Contractor will eliminate all life history stages of bullfrogs at occupied sites by culling using methods, including but not limited to, seining tadpoles, and removing juvenile and adult frogs via hand capture, spearing, electro-shocking, or selective shooting using lead-free ammunition. If needed, contractor may also drain sites to remove bullfrogs.

C. Services /Tasks to be Performed by the Contractor include but are not limited to:

1. Project initiation: March 2019 Hire additional staff as needed and begin monitoring and bullfrog eradication and control activities in Chiricahua leopard frog Recovery Units 1-3. Access larval populations on suspected sites with seining.

2. Monitoring and Eradication at sites with larval bullfrog populations: March - Oct 2019 Continue to monitor sites and conduct eradication and control of bullfrogs in Chiricahua leopard frog Recovery Units 1-3. Continue seining to remove larval bullfrog populations.

3. Monitor and maintain buffer-zones: June 2019- January 2020 Monitor existing buffer-zones in Chiricahua leopard frog Recovery Units 1-3 to ensure they are clear of bullfrog populations. Remove all age classes of bullfrogs as needed at sites in the buffer zones.

4. Prepare Final Report: February - March 2020 Prepare final report summarizing all activities conducted under this contract.

5. Submit Final Report: March 2020 Submit final report to FWS within 90 days of completion of all field efforts.

6. Coordination: March 2019-March 2020 Coordinate all tasks with the FWS Chiricahua leopard frog species lead.

D. Government Furnished data/Information:

None

E. Deliverables:

The contractor will email the Technical Contact (see below) as follows:

1) Upon commencement of each task. The email will include the task number and name and task start date;

2) Every 30 days. The email will provide a brief progress update;

3) Within 30 days of the completion of each task. The email will include task number and name; start and end dates; a brief description of work completed, including the outcome of any challenges experienced.

Table of Deliverables:

E. Materials

No materials will be purchased that will need to be returned to the FWS. All materials, such as water storage tanks, pipe, fence material, will be installed and remain in the field for the duration of its durability.

F. Period of Performance:

From Date of Award to March 31, 2020, with no additional funding.

G. Evaluation Criteria on Contractor Qualifications:

Contractor must demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:

1. Have expertise and extensive experience with landscape level bullfrog eradication efforts in southern Arizona, including but not limited to planning and executing eradication efforts in accordance with established methodology, having relationships with private landowners involved in ongoing eradication efforts and ability to differentiate bullfrogs and Chiricahua leopards in situ.

2. Possess a current Chiricahua leopard frog recovery permit (e.g., to monitor, capture, handle, test for disease Chiricahua leopard frogs).