Performance_Work_Statement_4-19-2022_1.pdf

Performance Work Statement Structured Decision Making

1.0 Background

Investment in SDM practitioners and Data Science professionals within Reclamation would improve the efficiency of implementing actions identified in the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) Near-term Restoration Strategy (NTRS), while also expanding the use of Structured Decision Making (SDM) processes within Reclamation. The initial focus will be expanding the use of tools created in the SIT to broaden SDM concepts beyond the Fish Resource Area and allow custom SDM analyses for activities outside of the Science Integration Team (SIT).

Expanding the use of SDM beyond the SIT will require coordination with the current SIT science mentor and facilitator, Dr. James Peterson – Oregon State University & the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Oregon Cooperative Research Unit, to develop SDM training programs for current and future Reclamation staff. The intent is to develop expertise within Reclamation to advise decision makers of best SDM practices and to increase the use of these practices and thus better implement adaptive management in the face of dynamic environmental and climate conditions.

The long-term success of SDM within CVPIA, Bay Delta Area Office (BDAO), and Reclamation, requires developing expertise within Reclamation. Tasks described here are expressly intended to develop expertise within Reclamation over the contract term.

2.0 Scope

This document details the scope and deliverables for services provided to the US Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) for the CVPIA SDM process and implementation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) Biological Opinion (BiOp). These efforts will be guided by the following themes designed to promote SDM development and capabilities within CVPIA and the BDAO:

A. Curate the SDM Decision Support Models (DSMs) and data developed by CVPIA-funded efforts within Department of Interior (DOI) or on a platform managed by DOI.

B. Continuously improve SDM products and the understanding of those products.

C. Actively broadcast the transparent, open nature of the SDM products, facilitate their use in other processes, and encourage participation in the CVPIA SIT.

D. Improve implementation and understanding of Reclamation-backed implementation efforts, including restoration, monitoring, and system operations.

3.0 Place of Performance

Most of the work will be performed at the Contractor’s location. The Contractor will periodically meet at Government facilities. Travel to meetings will be reimbursed based on actual costs under the Federal Travel Regulations.

4.0 Period of Performance

Base Year August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023 Option Year 1 August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024 Option Year 2 August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025 Option Year 3 August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026 Option Year 4 August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027

5.0 Government Furnished Property, Equipment, and Services

None

6.0 Contractor Furnished Items and Services

The Contractor shall provide all equipment, supplies, management, supervision, personnel, and transportation except as specified herein as government-furnished, necessary to assure that all services are in accordance with the contract and all applicable laws and regulations. The contractor shall ensure all work meets performance standards specified in this Performance Work Statement and referenced documents.

7.0 Tasks

Task 1: Develop and Promote Reclamation & BDAO In-House SDM Capabilities:

Contractor will assist Reclamation to gain the ability to develop and maintain SDM processes and tools related to the SIT and associated implementation efforts. This effort includes improving proficiency within Reclamation with SDM model applications and SDM in general, curation of SDM models, identifying and coordinating CVPIA implementation of habitat restoration priorities, and response to future independent panel reviews.

Specific efforts include development and implementation of a SDM training program with Dr. James Peterson. The training program will be used to develop, promote, and attract SDM practitioners within BDAO and other Reclamation offices. These staff will then gain the capability to curate and use the Decision Support Models within Reclamation on a variety of topics including, scenario testing, model documentation, and visualizations.

Contractor will increase capacity within Reclamation to promote improved management and understanding of implementation projects that result from SIT recommendations and BiOp actions.

Emphasis will be on determining the effectiveness of recommendations and BiOp actions. The intent will be to develop closer ties between modeled recommendations and implementation activities, notably for ongoing issuance and review of Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) and ongoing Charter reviews and renewals. Success of this effort will be measured through both model improvements and increased efficiencies of Reclamation-sponsored actions. Contractor will also assist Reclamation to conduct outreach to stakeholders to further their understanding of SDM processes generally and SIT DSMs in particular.

Contractor will also recommend updates to the CVPIA Charter Tracking database as it is moved to a Reclamation-managed server. Contractor will also work with Reclamation staff to improve annual reporting through better use of the database.

Contractor will draft and update a CVPIA SDM Process Manual. The purpose of the manual is to be a ready reference for Reclamation personnel to use to become proficient in and maintain proficiency in Structured Decision Making. This proficiency includes becoming conversant with SDM terminology and meanings, the utilization of the CVPIA SIT decision support models, building ability to conceive and model habitat and CVP operational scenarios utilizing the CVPIA Fish Life Cycle models, including interpretation of the model outputs, and all other pertinent factors necessary to be proficient in Structured Decision Making.

Task 1 Deliverables:

A. Monthly progress memorandum.

B. Scheduling and completion of SDM training in each year of the agreement. Training to be led by Dr. James Peterson for select BDAO personnel on an annual basis, contingent upon successfully implementing an Interagency Agreement (IA) with the USGS on behalf of Dr. Peterson.

C. Drafting of and continuously updating a BDAO - CVPIA SDM Process Manual. Complete draft in Base Year. Updates each Option Year thereafter.

Task 2 Environmental Monitoring Assessment, Review, & Inventory:

Contractor will assist Reclamation in conducting a review and inventory of fisheries-related monitoring efforts underway throughout the Central Valley. Contractor will assess the value of on-going monitoring to CVPIA specifically and BDAO generally. Contractor will review all monitoring that supports these three classes of effort:

A. Permit/BiOp Compliance monitoring B. Science (SDM & other) Support monitoring C. Operations (CVP & SJRRP) Support monitoring

Other categories of monitoring include, but are not limited to:

A. Status & Trend Monitoring B. Real-Time Operations Monitoring C. SIT Critical Monitoring D. Habitat (Spawning & Rearing) Inventory E. Monitoring feeding decision-making processes other than CVPIA-SIT-SDM process.

Contractor will assess the relationship of current monitoring efforts and their funding to CVPIA, BDAO, and Reclamation. Contractor will also recommend updates/modifications to monitoring efforts to reduce/eliminate duplication and to improve usability, consistency, and value to CVPIA and/or BDAO.

Task 2 Deliverables:

A. Monthly progress memorandum

B. Continuously updated BDAO - CVPIA Monitoring Inventory, including recommendations for eliminating duplications and/or overlaps, increasing efficiency, making the monitoring more effective for more end-users, standardizing protocols and analytical methods, etc. Must produce an inventory in the Base Year and update the inventory each Option Year thereafter. Must produce recommendations for improvements to monitoring funded by Reclamation in the Base Year, and follow-up recommendations each Option Year thereafter. Inventory must provide input into new Cooperative Agreements developed out of Notice of Funding Opportunity #R21AS00617 - Central Valley Project Habitat & Facility Improvements (View Opportunity | GRANTS.GOV), specifically pre- & post-project monitoring types and protocols. The purpose is to continue implementing consistent and uniform pre- and post-project monitoring to on the ground habitat projects in the Central Valley.

8.0 Travel Assumptions

Mileage is based on 12 round trips of 238 miles per year based on Redding roundtrip (RT) from Sacramento is 320 miles, Oakland RT is 160 miles, Fresno RT is 340 miles, Tracy is 130 miles; average is 238 miles.

Travel also assumes two one-week trips to Corvallis, OR per year to develop training program with Jim Peterson, including plane flights, car rental, and per diem rates.

9.0 Contract Changes

Additional services required by changes in mission assignments must be documented by a written contract modification. If the contractor receives a request from Reclamation personnel directing or requesting work that the contractor believes is not within the terms of the PWS or the contract, then the contractor must notify the Contracting Officer of the request. The only person that has the authority to modify the terms of the contract or request work for which compensation will be provided is a Contracting Officer.