G15PS00308_SOW_9Apr15.pdf

G15PS00308 April 9, 2015

STATEMENT OF WORK

U.S. Geological Survey

Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center 777 NW 9th St. Suite 400

Corvallis, OR 97330

Title: Golden Eagle Monitoring in Modoc and Lassen Counties

1.0 Background and Objective:

Growing concern about the status of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in northeastern California, has highlighted the need for ecological information that will allow local managers to evaluate and mitigate the potentially adverse effects of human activities on this species. Currently the USGS is funding work to look at monitoring the effects of human land use on occupancy dynamics and nesting success of golden eagles. This Task will add on to existing USGS efforts by monitoring the movement behavior of golden eagles in Modoc and Lassen Counties.

Threats such as urban development, recreational activity, fire, or wind energy production may impact eagles differently depending upon habitat selection, the behaviors in which they engage in different parts of the landscape, and the vertical component of space use associated with these behaviors. The USGS objectives in this task are to (1) provide descriptions of eagle home range and movement, (2) analyze the telemetry and observational data and predict habitat use across the study area conditional on eagle behavior, and (3) relate predictions of habitat use to existing spatial data for threats.

2.0 Task Description Requirements:

The USGS intends to arrange for the capture and tagging with a solar-powered GPS telemetry device of approximately 15 golden eagles in Modoc County California. The specific territories targeted for initial capture efforts will provided by the contractor and will be identified together with the USGS as high priority. Telemetry data will be collected at fine time intervals (0.5 – 2.0 minutes between locations) for a minimum number of days (to be determined during the planning phase of the project), unless telemetry tag failure occurs. USGS will collect, analyze and interpret all data from the telemetry devices.

The task requires the following:

1) the trapping of ~15 adult golden eagles in Modoc County in 2015. This will require a team that has all necessary animal handling permits, and all those permits and licenses required by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. All permits must be current and valid, as trapping will occur in fall and many of these take years to obtain. This will also require experience with the location, behavior and population dynamics of the Northeastern California Golden Eagle population.

Sufficient experience in the team should include a project lead with demonstrated experience working with eagles in northeastern California and with trapping multiple territorial golden eagles specifically in this area. USGS will not provide status information on focal territories.

G15PS00308 April 9, 2015

2) Deployment of USGS-purchased solar-powered GPS-GSM telemetry systems on Golden Eagles. This requires the lead contractor possess knowledge and experience with cellular technology telemetry tracking devises, and the harnesses used for Golden Eagles. This technology is relatively new, and knowledge of both the bird and the devise are necessary.

3) Collection of blood and feather samples from the trapped birds. This also requires particular permits and licenses, which must be actively and validly held by the individual completing the task.

4) Sampling and testing of the blood of captured birds using a field blood-lead test kit to determine if the bird has critical levels of lead poisoning, before telemetry devises are installed on the bird to protect the investment both of trapping effort and devise cost.

3.0 Required Skills and Experience:

Prospective offerors must provide documentation that the individuals who will be performing this requirement meet as a minimum, the following skills and experience in addition to the knowledge, skills, and permits and licenses identified in Section 2.0:

1. At least 10 years of experience with trapping and telemetry of eagles and other large raptors

2. At least 10 years of experience working in California, specifically in California deserts and northeastern California

3. Demonstrated ability to catch large numbers of eagles in relatively short periods of time

4. Demonstrated network of connections with landowners and managers in Lassen and Modoc

Counties to ensure land access for trapping

5. Demonstrated experience applying and utilizing GPS-GSM telemetry devices

Failure to provide this information may result in rejection of the offer.

Performance:

Place of Performance: Work is fully independent and may be carried out in the technical expert’s place of work and in appropriate field sites.

Deliverables: The vendor shall deliver a summary report detailing the deployment of cellular technology tracking devices on golden eagles in Modoc and Lassen County Golden Eagles: 1) a summary report describing eagle capture; 2) data on each bird, including band number, telemetry identification and frequency, capture location, date and time, bird age, sex, weight and results of field lead test; 3) blood and feather samples from each bird caught.

Term: Date of Award through December 31, 2016.

Equipment /Supplies: NA