19-00031_-_LOG044-SOW_-_FBO.pdf

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

SOUTHWEST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER

FISHERIES ECOLOGY DIVISION

STATEMENT OF WORK

PURCHASE REQUEST NFFR7500-18-00031

Operation of Screw Trap or Smolt Trap on Carmel River above Los Padres Reservoir

I. Background/Overview:

A Memorandum of Understanding between California-American Water Company and NOAA Fisheries SWFSC (SWFSC Agreement No. SWC-156, SWFSC Project Code 2BFFFCA) includes agreements for NMFS to conduct studies on limiting factors on production of steelhead smolts in the Carmel River, including a study focusing on the effects of Los Padres Dam, Reservoir, and Smolt-Bypass on smolts migrating through them. The general design of the study is:

1) Capture migrating smolts at a point just above the reservoir during the spring migration season of 2019, 2020, and possibly 2021.

2) Implant PIT tags in the smolts and immediately release them back into the river.

3) Track subsequent movement and survival of tagged smolts via PIT tag monitoring stations placed on the river between the trap and the reservoir, on the spillway, on a smolt-bypass facility, and on other PIT tag monitoring station downstream of the site.

Staff of NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center will conduct the bulk of the study, including the tagging of smolts, subsequent monitoring via the PIT tag stations, and analysis of results. To support the study we are seeking a contractor to operate a smolt trap during the peak season of downstream smolt migration, Feb – May of each year of the study. The contractor would identify the appropriate live-trapping method, install and operate the trap, and work closely with SWFSC staff onsite who will be tagging and releasing the captured fish. The site is moderately remote, requiring either boating or hiking to access.

Carmel River steelhead are part of the south-central California coast Distinct Population Segment of steelhead, which is listed as a threatened anadromous species under the US Endangered Species Act. Recovery plans developed by NMFS for the DPS identify Carmel River steelhead as a Core 1 population, which receive the highest priority for recovery actions.

Funding for this work is provided by California American Water as part of the Memorandum of Understanding referenced above.

II. Scope of Work

The contractor will operate a smolt trap on the Carmel River, just above Los Padres Reservoir, during the weekdays and nights of peak smolting season, Feb – May of each year. The purpose of the trap is to capture live smolts, with minimum stress or mortality and of sufficient numbers to support the study design (ideally 500 - 1000 per year). Trapped fish will be handled according to appropriate protocols and handed off to a NMFS employee or NMFS associate on a daily basis, who will be onsite for a portion of each day to tag and release the captured fish. The contractor is responsible for all aspects of the trapping operation and safe-handling of fish prior to handing off to NMFS.

We expect that a small rotary-screw trap will provide the most efficacious method for live-trapping smolts, but contractors are welcome to propose alternative trapping methods, such as fyke-nets, or a mix of methods to account for different flow levels in the river. Carmel River flow levels vary substantially year-to-year and in response to storms, and a variety of capture methods may need to be considered, employed, or kept in reserve according to conditions.

The proposed location (Figure 1) is just below the confluence of Danish Creek, where the river has a gravel bedded pool-riffle system. The Dam downstream can be accessed via motor vehicles, but the site itself must be accessed by one of two methods:

1) Via a 2.9km foot-trail from the dam around the west side of the reservoir to the confluence of Danish Creek (the first 1.35km can accommodate a small ORV), or

2) By motorboat from the dam to the head of the reservoir; however the last section to the site must be walked.

We expect that a small rotary screw trap could be floated across the reservoir but would need to be carried the last bit. The property is owned by California American Water but the site is accessible to the public via the aforementioned trail, which provides public access to the US Forest Service land to the south. We do not expect substantial public usage during Feb – Apr due to cold and rainy conditions; May could attract more public usage. Location of the trapping site can be adjusted as needed for logistical reasons or to increase trap efficiency; however it needs to be located between the head of the reservoir and the property boundary between Cal Am and US Forest Service.

Figure 1. Proposed location of smolt trap (N 36.373189° W 121.662210).

III. Tasks

• Task 1. Determine suitable trapping method(s) and trapping site, within constraints described in the Scope of Work.

• Task 2. Provide and install the trap prior to Feb 1 during each year of the study.

• Task 3. Operate and maintain the trap from 1 Feb to 31 May during each year of the study, operating during weekdays/nights only and handing off live fish to NMFS personnel on a daily basis, as described in the scope of work.

• Task 4. Break down and remove the trap from the site after 30 May of each year of the study.

IV. Period of Performance

The period of performance is December 22, 2018 to December 21, 2019.

Option Period 1 12/22/2019 to 12/21/2020 Option Period 2 12/22/2020 to 12/21/2021

V. Place of Performance

The contract will be performed at a field site on the Carmel River, upstream of Los Padres Reservoir and on property owned by California American Water Company. The proposed field site is shown in Figure 1, but this site can be adjusted as needed for effective trap operation, as long as it is upstream of Los Padres Reservoir (or in the head of the reservoir) and on Cal Am property.

VI. Deliverable Schedule

On or before 31 Jan 2019: Identify suitable trapping method in consultation with NMFS SWFSC personnel, designate precise site location in consultation with NMFS SWFSC personnel, provide equipment, install trap at designated location.

1 Feb 2019: Initiate smolt trapping.

1 Feb 2019 – 31 May 2019: Operate trap continuously during weekdays, handing off captured fish to NMFS personnel each day of operation. Operation will be discontinued on Fridays after handing off fish to NMFS; and restarted either Sunday evenings or Monday mornings during the period of trapping.

31 May 2019: Last day of trapping

By 30 June 2019: Remove trap and associated equipment from site.

Option periods: same schedule in years 2020 and 2021.

VII. Government-Furnished Property (GFP)

No Government-Furnished Property will be provided.

VIII. Security Requirements

Contractor will not be accessing any NOAA IT systems or facilities. Contractor will need to coordinate with California American Water and NMFS for physical access to field site.

IX. Applicable Standards

The smolt trap will be operated according to practices laid out in established technical guides, such as:

Johnson, D. H. et al. 2007. The Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook, published by the American Fisheries Society, Bethesda Maryland.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2008. Salmonid Life Cycle Monitoring. Methods.

X. Special Requirements

1. Trap operator must be in good physical shape and able to work under physically demanding conditions, including exposure to sun, rain, cold, poison oak and mosquitos.

2. Trap operator must able to travel to the field site daily to perform duties

3. Contractor will provide needed personal gear such as waders and boots.

4. Contractor will provide the trapping equipment and equipment for holding fish prior to hand-off to NMFS. Equipment will remain the contractor’s property at the end of the period of performance.

XI. Required Knowledge and Experience:

Contractor must have demonstrated ability to maintain and operate the smolt trap.

Contractor must have demonstrated ability to handle threatened salmonid fish without causing unnecessary stress or mortality.

Familiarity with the field site or typical field conditions experienced in the Santa Lucia Mountains is preferred but not required.

Evaluation Criteria:

1. Demonstrated ability to maintain and operate a smolt trap.

2. Demonstrated ability to handle threatened salmonid fish without causing unnecessary stress or mortality.

3. Familiarity with the field site or typical field conditions experienced in the Santa Lucia

Mountains.

4. Cost

XII. Invoicing

Invoice on a monthly basis.