Mussel Survey and Relocation_DRAFT SCOPE.pdf

Scope of Services Mussel Surveys and Relocation

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Single Award Task Order Contract (SATOC)

Mussel surveys are occasionally required in advance of completion of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works projects. Mussel surveys evaluate existing conditions within the footprint of a USACE project and provide recommendations and other relevant information for avoiding mussel resources. Mussel surveys are accomplished by diver survey with accurate Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) data on each location as specified in the site requirements. All dive surveys will include a qualified Malacologist as supervisor, survey planner, and certified divers for recovering mussels and/or substrate data. Dive surveys are primarily expected to be required within the footprint of the USACE Nashville District Boundary.

This IDIQ may be utilized outside of the Nashville District, but within the boundary of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division at the discretion of the USACE Nashville District and upon agreement from the Contractor.

Mussel surveys (and relocations) may be required in the following scenarios, but not limited to:

a. Map riverbed areas for existing mussel beds, determine suitable disposal areas (Presence or absence of mussels) or other general mussel resource location information.

b. Determine quantitative or qualitative changes in known mussel beds areas, determine mussel density information.

c. Relocate mussel resources prior to some disruptive activities. Relocation site will be selected and approved in advance with input from appropriate environmental agencies.

Each survey area will be identified by the government to include the spatial limits, the density of survey sample sites/transects, and the type of data recovered or mussel movement where necessary. Typically, surveys will only require species level identification and substrate type (sand, gravel, silt, bedrock) to describe the presence or absence of shellfish or the density of individuals found in the survey area. The government’s primary objective is to map the limits of the mussel bed. Individuals will not be collected or removed from the area unless otherwise directed by the government. In the event of collection, individuals will be replaced within the general vicinity where found, on similar substrate and within what is understood as the mussel bed area. Mussels will only be brought to the surface where that is necessary for positive identification. Where future mussel relocations may be required, all native freshwater mussels will be collected, identified and counted. Collected mussels will be kept in good condition following removal from the substrate and during their handling. Usually, mussels will be moved to the designated relocation site(s) as soon as practicable, but in all cases, they will be relocated on the same day collected. Collected mussels will be hand placed on the bottom, but do not need to be individually reburied.

Prior to conducting surveys, a Dive Operations Plan, Safety Plan (including Activity Hazard Analysis), and Dive Personnel Qualifications shall be submitted to and approved by the government. All dive operations must be compliant with Chapter 30, Diving Operations and Tables 30-2 through 30-6 illustrating Staffing Levels for Dive Teams of the USACE’s Safety and Occupational Health Requirements Engineer Manual (EM) 385-1-1 and OSHA, 29 CFR 1910, Subpart T. The surveys or relocations will be conducted using Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) equipment for spatial determination of the location of the dive transects sites, locations of any important mussels recovered (federally listed or special status species as specified in specific site requirements) and to record substrate information. All river position location data will be stored on digital data logging equipment in a format to be supplied to the government representative (typically ESRI Shape files).

It is the intention of the government to request a daily price for a 4-man dive crew which includes necessary boat and equipment for an 8-hour survey day to meet USACE regulations.

The four-man dive crew will typically include the dive supervisor, a dive tender, a standby diver, and the diver. A Malacologist will be an addition to the 4-man dive crew during the survey. When applicable, overtime should be specified per 4-man crew hour. Travel and per diem shall be calculated on a task order basis, in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR).

Report preparation costs should be listed as an hourly rate. Unusual large mussel relocation requests or special monitoring projects may involve additional crews or extra equipment.

Additional crews will be added at the established crew price and special equipment will be negotiated on a task order basis.

The Contractor shall:

a. Provide all personnel and equipment needed to conduct mussel surveys, and/or relocations, if needed.

b. Provide a written dive plan for the survey effort prior to initiation of field work. An example of an approved dive plan may be requested for reference.

c. Meet the requirements of the USACE Safety and Occupational Health Requirements EM 385-1-1. This is the controlling document regarding worker safety.

d. Provide an Accident Prevention Plan and Activity Hazard Analysis prior to initiation of field work, analyzing the safety concerns or risks of each task and the measures taken to eliminate or minimize those concerns.

e. Insure all appropriate Federal and State permits and licenses are obtained and complied with.

f. Work as best as possible within the parameters recommended by the Federal and State Fish and Wildlife agencies for protocol in mussel surveying as detailed in dive site requirements.

g. Provide a short narrative description of each survey area, DGPS survey points for as a minimum; the start and end locations of each transect, and DGPS points to define the limits of mussel resources.

h. Provide all Global Positioning System equipment needed for this contract.

i. Provide electronic range finding equipment for additional aid in distance measurement during surveys.

j. Provide all boats, trailers, and motor vehicles needed for the study effort and ensure that all equipment complies with EM 385-1-1 and is in safe working condition. Dive equipment may be inspected by the government Dive Inspector to ensure compliance.

k. Accommodate occasional visits by representatives of State and Federal fish and wildlife agencies for familiarization with data gathering techniques and study progress. Should such visits impede contractor progress in meeting the goals of this contract, the government should be notified at the earliest possible convenience.

The government will provide site specific tasks, limits of investigation for the survey(s), instructions, and other pertinent information in each task order.

Typical Field Work and Report Schedule The contractor will be provided a schedule to include start and completion dates for field work and a date for report completion. Sufficient time will be allowed for weather or river level changes that interrupt expected work completion. Reports of surveys completed will be delivered no more than 10 days following survey completion unless otherwise specified.

Typically, because channel depth does not exceed 12 feet, the surveys can be performed in less than 30 feet of depth (depending on river gage levels). It is understood that stage and discharge conditions could fluctuate, resulting in unsafe field conditions that would require work to be postponed for safety reasons. These conditions will be coordinated with USACE before mobilization.