Performance Work Statement -Synopsis Draft.pdf

Performance Work Statement WVP Monitoring – Rotary Screw Trap Sampling & Bulk Marking

W9127N25R0005

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

Willamette Valley Downstream Fish Passage Monitoring Rotary Screw Trap Sampling & Bulk Marking

Solicitation No.: W9127N-25-R-0005

Dated: 9 October 2024

Contents

1. GENERAL INFORMATION AND MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND

2. SCOPE OF WORK

3. LOCATION OF SERVICES

4. COURT INJUNCTION MEASURES

5. DEFINITIONS

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (GFE)

7. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED SERVICES (GFS)

8. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

9. OVERVIEW OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

9.1. General Requirements

9.2. Government Supplied Hatchery Fish General Requirements

9.3. Bulk/Batch Marking General Requirements

9.4. Rotary Screw Trap Sampling General Requirements

9.5. Data Reporting

9.6. In-Season Reporting

9.7. Biannual Reporting

9.8. Willamette Valley Science Review

9.9. General Marking Requirements, Sampling, and Fish Release Locations by Sub-basin

10. Contract Task Requirements

10.1. Task 1 - Pre-Work Coordination and Work Plan (CLIN 0001)

10.2. Task 2 - Bulk/Batch Marking – 2025 (Base Period) (CLIN 0002)

10.3. Task 3 - Bulk/Batch Marking – 2026 (Option Period 1) (CLIN 1002)

10.4. Task 4 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling Fall 2025 – Tailrace Sampling (Base

Period) (CLIN 0003)

10.5. Task 5 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling Fall 2025 – Head of Reservoir

Sampling (Base Period) (CLIN 0004)

10.6. Task 6 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling - Tailrace Sampling – Spring 2026

(Option Period 1) (CLIN 1003)

10.7. Task 7 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling – Head of Reservoir Sampling – Spring 2026

(Option Period 1) (CLIN 1004)

10.8 Task 8 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling – Tailrace Sampling – Fall 2026

(Option Period 2) (CLIN 2003)

10.9. Task 9 - Rotary Screw Trap Sampling – Head of Reservoir Sampling –

Fall 2026 (Option Period 2) (CLIN 2004)

10.10. Task 10 – Reporting for Fall 2025 Sampling (Base Period) (CLIN 0005)

10.11. Task 11 – Reporting for Spring 2026 Sampling (Option Period 1) (CLIN 1005)

10.12. Task 12 - Reporting for Fall 2026 Sampling (Option Period 2) (CLIN 2005)

11. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

12. GENERAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

13. REFERENCES

Draft

1. GENERAL INFORMATION AND MANAGEMENT BACKGROUND

On September 1, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon issued an interim injunction that requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, Corps) to implement measures intended to improve conditions for fish passage and water quality at several Willamette Valley Project (WVP) dams for the benefit of Upper Willamette River (UWR) spring Chinook salmon and UWR winter steelhead salmon during the interim period until the completion of the reinitiated Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation. The Court assigned an Expert Panel to define the implementation plans of specific measures, which were required to “provide meaningful research, monitoring, and evaluation (RM&E) of the interim measures.” Further, the injunction mandates that the USACE “fund and/or carry out RM&E to evaluate the effects of the interim measures on UWR Chinook salmon and UWR steelhead.” On February 28, 2022, the Expert Panel submitted its proposed “long term” plan for the RM&E for the remainder of the duration of the injunction.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

This is a firm-fixed price contract for collecting biological information regarding the downstream passage of juvenile Chinook salmon and winter steelhead including the reporting of results. This contract consists of a base period and option periods. The Government may exercise all, none, or any combination of option CLINs under each option period. This contract consists of the following actions:

2.1. Rotary Screw Trap monitoring at multiple locations throughout the WVP to evaluate downstream passage.

2.2. Bulk marking of juvenile Chinook salmon via Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging services to provide information on the passage and migration timing of juvenile Chinook salmon entering and exiting the reservoirs of multiple USACE facilities in the Willamette River basin.

2.3. The reporting of information collected herein, along with results of other related RM&E measures (e.g., other RST sampling and downstream PIT tag detectors), and previously collected information collected throughout the WVP under previous conditions (e.g. Romer et al. 2013- 2017; Keefer et al. 2012, 2013) will be synthesized to evaluate implementation of certain measures prescribed under the “long term” RM&E plan.

3. LOCATION OF SERVICES

Requirements of this contract will occur within the Willamette Valley throughout the USACE Willamette Valley Project (WVP). Activities will occur throughout the Willamette Valley Project (WVP) in the North Santiam, South/Middle Santiam, South Fork McKenzie, and Middle Fork Willamette River subbasins including Fall Creek (Figure 1).

Figure 1 – Services to be performed throughout the Willamette Valley Project (WVP)

4. COURT INJUNCTION MEASURES

For the purposes of this contract, please reference Attachment 1 – Court Injunction Measures Pertinent to Contract Requirements for information regarding performance performing contract requirements.

5. DEFINITIONS

Throughout this PWS terms are defined as follows:

5.1. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL): Acceptable Quality Level equals the performance standards listed in Section 6.0. The Contractor must re-perform all unsatisfactory work unless excused by the COR.

5.2. Columbia Basin PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS): The Columbia Basin PIT Tag

Information System (PTAGIS) was implemented in 1991 to manage and serve PIT tag data collected in the Columbia Basin. PTAGIS develops software used to collect and contribute PIT tag data; validates, stores and makes those data available for download via the PTAGIS website (www.ptagis.org); and operates large scale PIT tag detection sites throughout the Columbia Basin. In 2002, the scope of the PTAGIS program expanded to include resident and semi-anadromous stocks of rainbow and cutthroat trout, bull trout, lamprey, sturgeon, and other species.

5.3. Contracting Officer (KO): The Government employee who is authorized to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. A warranted Contracting Officer acting within their delegated limits is the only individual that has the authority to issue modifications or otherwise change the terms and conditions of this Contract.

If an individual other than the Contracting Officer attempts to make changes to the terms and conditions of this Contract you shall not proceed with the change and shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer.

5.4. Contracting Officers Representative (COR): An individual designated in accordance with subsection 201.602-2 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

The COR is not authorized to make any commitments or changes that will affect price, quality, quantity, delivery, or any other term or condition of the contract.

5.5. Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR): A written record of unsatisfactory performance by the

Contractor as observed by the COR.

5.6. Long-term RM&E Plan: Willamette Project Interim Injunction Measures Research Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (RM&E) developed by the US District Court assigned Expert Panel.

5.7. Passive Integrated Transponder Tag (PIT Tag): Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags are electronic, implantable microchips used in biological applications and have been used to monitor the movement and behavior of anadromous salmonids in the Columbia River Basin (CRB) since 1987. PIT tags are an RFID tag typically measuring 8 to 12 mm long coded with one of 35 billion unique codes. PIT tags used in the CRB can be automatically detected and decoded in situ – eliminating the need to sacrifice, anesthetize, handle, or restrain fish after the initial tagging event. PIT tags and detection equipment used herein shall meet Columbia Basin PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS) standards as well as be ISO 11784 and 11785 compliant (e.g., APT12 or equivalent).

5.8. Rotary Screw Trap (Screw Trap; Trap; RST): A rotary screw trap consists of a fish collection device having a screw blade (i.e., rotary cone) driven by water current acting thereon which, in conjunction with a porous enclosure (e.g., stainless steel mesh or screen), confines fish and/or debris for passage to a discharge site (i.e., live box). Typically, the device consists of a large frustoconical shaped cone (5 or 8 feet in diameter) which, with the screen, confines fish and/ or debris for travel to the outlet end of the screen. Adjustable means (e.g., lifting A-Frame) coupled to the screen permit lifting of the screen relative to the water surface. A receptacle (e.g., live box) into which fish and/or debris is deposited are supported by the buoyant support structure (i.e., floatation pontoons).

5.9. Willamette Valley Project (WVP): The Portland District operates 13 dams in the Willamette

River basin (i.e., ‘Operating Projects’ or ‘Project’). Each dam contributes to a water resource management system that provides flood risk management, power generation, water quality improvement, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation for the Willamette River and many of its tributaries. For purposes of this contract, the WVP typically refers to the USACE’ Operating Projects in the North Santiam, South Santiam, South Fork McKenzie, and Middle Fork Willamette River sub-basins. This includes Detroit Dam (DET) and Big Cliff Dam (BCL) on the North Santiam River, Green Peter Dam (GPR) and Foster Dam (FOS) on the South Santiam River, Cougar (CGR) Dam on the South Fork McKenzie River, Fall Creek Dam (FCR) on Fall Creek (tributary of Middle Fork Willamette River) and Dexter Dam (DEX), Lookout Point Dam (LOP), and Hills Creek Dam (HCR) on the Middle Fork Willamette River. See additional background information at: https://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Locations/Willamette-Valley/

6. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT (GFE)

The Government has the equipment available for use by the Contractor to meet the requirements of this contract as described in Attachment 2 - Government Furnished Equipment for Willamette Valley Downstream Fish Passage Monitoring. No other Government provided equipment will be provided.

This GFE will be provided for use under this contract at no cost to the Contractor. All Government equipment shall be returned to the Government in the same condition it was received at the end of the period of performance unless stated otherwise. It is assumed GFE will be moved between sites and to/from Fall Creek storage yard throughout the period of performance. As such, while some GFE is referenced as being at ‘Fall Creek Dam storage’ and/or at specific sites, GFE may be moved at the Contractor’s discretion, by the Contractor, at the Contractor’s expense, except where noted.

7. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED SERVICES (GFS)

The Government will provide the following services to the Contractor to meet the requirements of this contract. No other Government provided services will be provided.

The Government will provide the following GFS to support the Contractor in meeting requirements of this contract. Government provided services are provided at no cost to the Contractor. All Government services are at the discretion of the Government and shall not be relied on by Contractor.

Table 1 - Government Furnished Services (GFS)

Item Description Item Condition Anticipated location at time of award

Site Access Authorization(s)

Where applicable, the USACE will gain the necessary real estate access to non-USACE properties. The Contractor shall be responsible for abiding by terms and conditions of Real Estate related agreements associated with non-USACE property.

Mobile Crane Services

The USACE Willamette Valley Operations and Maintenance staff may provide crane support for rotary screw deployment, with a minimum of 15 business day notice, at the following RST sampling locations:

- North Santiam River (above Detroit Dam) - Crane support can be provided at the RST sample site from the paved roadway and USFS bridge.

- Big Cliff Dam Tailrace - Crane support can be provided on the north side paved road. The Contractor is responsible for moving the RST upstream and downstream to locations where there is sufficient space for crane to deploy outriggers.

- Green Peter Dam Tailrace - Crane support can be provided from the paved roadway. The Contractor is responsible for moving the RST upstream and downstream to locations where sufficient space exists for crane setup.

- Cougar Dam Tailrace - Crane support can be provided at the Cougar Dam adult fish facility parking lot. No crane services are available for the RO RST as the USACE crane cannot reach the peninsula.

- Fall Creek Dam - Crane support can be provided at

USACE provided crane services are limited to where the USACE current mobile crane can safely be deployed and is at the USACE discretion.

*USACE crane support is restricted to safe operating conditions including weather and loading limitations as determined by the COR the storage yard area. The Contractor is responsible for moving the RST upstream and downstream to locations where sufficient space exists for crane to deploy outriggers.

- Lookout Point Dam Tailrace - Crane support can be provided from the south shore dam abutment. The Contractor is responsible for moving the RST upstream and downstream to locations where sufficient space exists for crane to deploy outriggers.

- Hills Creek Dam – Crane support can be provided at the Hills Creek PH west shore in the vicinity of the RST stairwell. No crane access is available to the spillway channel.

8. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES

8.1. The Contractor shall provide all personnel including key personnel, supervision, permits, equipment, materials and other items and services necessary to perform contract requirements as defined in this PWS, except those identified as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government Furnished Services (GFS). The Contractor is ultimately responsible for the procurement and proper placement, inspection, and maintenance of all necessary equipment and services associated with implementation of this contract.

The following personnel are considered key personnel essential for successful accomplishment of the work to be performed under this contract. These positions can be held by the same person as long as all qualifications are meet for the role/s they are representing.

8.1.1. Project Manager (PM) – The PM is responsible for all aspects of the development and implementation of the contract and serves as a single point of contact of the contract. The PM is accountable for schedule, budget, and quality of all contract elements. The PM defines study scope and objectives; develops work plans, schedules, project estimates, resource plans, and status reports; conducts project meetings and is responsible for project tracking and analysis. The PM communicates with the USACE Contract Officer (KO) and the KO’s designees, conducts periodic briefings/status updates, and escalates decisions to the KO as necessary.

Minimum Qualifications: The PM must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience managing biological and ecological studies involving the same type of work encompassed by this PWS.

8.1.2 Principal Investigator (PI) – The PI provides technical oversight to develop and implement scientific studies, experiments, and evaluations in field and laboratory settings. The PI ensures objective research that generates independent, high quality, and reproducible results.

Minimum Qualifications: PI’s must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience conducting biological and ecological studies involving the same type of work encompassed by this PWS.

8.1.3. Statistician/Biometrician – The Statistician/Biometrician evaluates biological observations, phenomena, and relationships using statistical analysis. The Statistician/Biometrician provide knowledge on statistical and analytical methods and experimental design. The Statistician/Biometrician manages, supervises, leads, and performs scientific work or provides professional consultation in applying statistical theory, techniques, and methods to gather, analyze, interpret, and/or report quantified information.

Minimum Qualifications: Doctoral degree in Statistics, Bio-Statistics, Biometry, Research Science, or a quantitative interdisciplinary program that encompasses one of these areas of focus coupled with a minimum of 3 years of experience conducting biological and ecological studies involving the same type of work encompassed by this PWS.

8.1.4 Data Management Specialist – The Data Management Specialist develops data-oriented systems to meet project requirements through the application of methods and techniques to collect, store, manipulate, transform, and present information. The Data Management Specialist develops systems, procedures and policies for data management to ensure data sources are developed and maintained across data collection sources including the development of data-oriented guidance.

Minimum Qualifications: Professional degree in data sciences with competence in the theoretical foundations of computer systems architecture and system software organization, theoretical models, and the representation and transformation of data coupled with a minimum of 3 years of experience conducting biological and ecological studies involving the same type of work encompassed by this PWS.

9. OVERVIEW OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS

9.1. General Requirements

9.1.1. The Contractor shall regularly coordinate field work with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and WVP Operations staff to ensure timely communication of activities with USACE staff.

9.1.1.1. Other entities are marking juvenile salmonids in the region with elastomer (or similar) tags including at rotary screw traps; the Contractor shall coordinate with the COR on marking strategies to avoid any conflicts.

9.1.1.2. There are other monitoring projects occurring throughout the WVP and the Contractor shall not interfere with those efforts. The USACE shall provide a list of monitoring projects and deployed equipment for those projects to the Contractor at the beginning of each monitoring period, if requested. For example, there is half duplex PIT tag arrays at some projects for monitoring passage of bull trout (e.g., at Cougar Dam, Hills Creek Dam) and active tag receivers at Green Peter Dam and Lookout Point Dam.

9.1.2. The Contractor is responsible for proper deployment, placement, inspection, and maintenance of all necessary equipment to deploy, anchor, and maintain all equipment.

9.1.2.1. The USACE will provide ground space for equipment including tanks and associated equipment on USACE property. Where possible, the USACE will provide standard 110v electrical service and water supply at no cost to the Contractor. However, the

Contractor shall be prepared to hold fish independent of USACE services and WVP operations (i.e., without USACE electrical power and plumped water supplies) as the USACE WVP facility operations can change and/or be interrupted unexpectantly without notice due to unanticipated USACE operations and are not available at many potential locations.

9.1.3. Sampling shall be consistent with previous studies where applicable (e.g., Romer et al. 2014-

2017, Monzyk et al. 2015, Keefer et al. 2012, 2013; Kock et al. (2019a, 2019b), FPC 2012) and be conducted consistently at all sites for comparison of results across sites, sub-basins and sample periods.

9.1.4. Passive Integrated Transponder Tags (PIT Tags) - PIT tags and detection equipment used herein shall meet Columbia Basin PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS) standards as well as be ISO 11784 and 11785 compliant (e.g., APT12 or equivalent). Sourcing of PIT tags for each Task, and pre-loading of injection needles and trays if desired, is the responsibility of the Contractor. Contractor shall uniquely mark juvenile Chinook salmon and O. mykiss with 8 mm (45-64mm) or 12 mm PIT tags (>65mm) to uniquely identify each release group and to uniquely distinguish each release group herein from run-of-river Chinook captured throughout the WVP and that are elastomor (VIE) marked both herein and under separate contract (e.g., via rotary screw traps). All PIT tag data shall be uploaded to PTAGIS within one week of tagging and in accordance with PTAGIS reporting requirements.

9.1.5. The Contractor shall submit detailed information for deployment of equipment including anchoring details as part of work plan submittals (Section 10.1, Task 1). Deployment and anchoring hardware shall not be drilled into USACE permanent structures (i.e., concrete, dam appurtenant); use of alternate anchoring hardware is required.

9.1.6. The Contractor shall regularly evaluate conditions and make adjustments to equipment, supplies and materials used, as warranted to meet contract requirements.

9.1.7. The Contractor shall be responsible for any boats, boating services, and deployment/retrieval of boats needed for proper placement, inspection, and maintenance of equipment necessary.

9.1.8. Many of the field sites are in areas that may be difficult to reach during the winter months due to winter weather conditions including snow and ice. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have suitable vehicles and equipment necessary for reaching field sites as some access roads are not maintained during the winter and/or may not be cleared quickly by others.

9.1.8.1. Access to the Middle Santiam River above Green Peter Dam is via private road for which USACE has an easement to use for purposes of this contract. The landowner typically maintains this road during the winter months such that access to the RST sample site is available except during adverse weather periods (e.g., during snow/ice storms where travel in the region is unsafe). The roadway owner will not allow the Contractor herein to plow the road or use atv/utv type vehicles; however, the landowner will plow if necessary and requested, following end of an active storm system (i.e., the road will typically not be plowed until after a snowstorm is over).

9.1.9. The Lookout Point and Green Peter reservoir areas may be difficult to reach during the deep draw down periods once the reservoirs are drafted below the existing boat ramps. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to have the equipment necessary for reaching field sites.

9.1.10. The contractor is responsible for physical access to the work site(s). The Contractor shall carry a CB radio in all vehicles for communication with local road users. In particular, there is active logging activities occurring in the Middle Santiam sub-basin and the use of CB radios is required for communication with local log trucks when accessing the head of Green Peter Reservoir area on the Middle Santiam River arm.

9.1.11. Permits - It is the responsibility of the Contractor to obtain and abide by all necessary local, state, and federal permits required to complete prescribed work prior to initiating work on this contract unless otherwise noted herein. This includes, but is not limited to, all necessary land access permits, federal Endangered Species Act (ESA), state scientific collection and state transport permits. In the event that such a permit or access request is denied for work associated with this Contract, the USACE may terminate this work order in whole or part.

Any work authorized and performed through the date of termination shall be reimbursed in accordance with applicable contract terms and laws. All permits must be provided to the COR prior to initiation of any referenced activities.

9.1.12. Media/Publicity - The Contractor shall immediately refer all media and public inquiries or access requests to the worksite to the Government – including the POCs and CORs, and the respective Public Affairs Office if warranted -- without further comment. The Government may request or require the Contractor to provide access to the worksite to those groups approved by the Government. Any VIP/media access to the Contractor’s work area will require a Government and Contractor representative for escort.

9.1.13. Contract Changes - Changes in scope, time, or deliverables can only be authorized by the

Contracting Officer. The contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately if they have received direction to perform work outside the scope of the contract. Changes in scope will be negotiated and a written modification issued, before proceeding with the work.

9.1.14. Points of Contact:

Contracting Officer’s Representative: David Trachtenbarg, (503) 808-4709, David.A.Trachtenbarg@usace.army.mil

9.1.14.1. Invoice Submittals. Invoice(s) shall be prepared in accordance with FAR clause 52.212-

4(g) and submitted electronically via email to:

Submit an Electronic PDF Invoice to the USACE Finance Center via email address:

CEFC-G2invoices@usace.army.mil

Electronic Copy to:

Contracting Officer’s Representative: David Trachtenbarg, (503) 808-4709, David.A.Trachtenbarg@usace.army.mil

Program Analyst: To be provided and updated during contract administration.

For Invoice receipt verification or for a vendor's Payment problem, the vendor may contact the USACE Finance Center at Phone Number (901) 873-9077.

9.2. Government Supplied Hatchery Fish General Requirements

mailto:David.A.Trachtenbarg@usace.army.mil mailto:CEFC-G2invoices@usace.army.mil mailto:David.A.Trachtenbarg@usace.army.mil

9.2.1. Hatchery fish shall be provided by the USACE from hatcheries in the respective Willamette Valley sub-basin (hatchery fish) or Oregon State University (OSU) surrogate program (Corvallis, OR; Alsea, OR) (surrogate fish). Fish will primarily come from the respective Willamette Valley hatcheries, with the surrogate program providing limited numbers of fish if/when available (e.g., when necessary to utilize surplus surrogate fish not utilized for other studies).

9.2.2. The Contractor shall regularly coordinate fish requirements with the COR and Oregon

Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) prior to pickup and following pickup. The Contractor shall provide documentation of fish transfers (i.e. pickups) to the COR and ODFW and maintain detailed records of transfers by pickup date, source, brood year, and numbers relative to total hatchery fish requirements by Brood Year. The Contractor shall notify the COR and ODFW at least one week in advance of anticipated pickup dates.

9.2.3. While the USACE will provide the source of hatchery fish for the Contractor’s use, the

Contractor shall be responsible for all details associated with performing requirements of the contract (e.g., picking up fish from the source at the hatcheries, marking, holding, and releasing fish).

9.2.4. Hatchery fish will be adipose fin clipped according to the hatchery’s normal marking schedule

(generally during the summer) and therefore fish may not be adipose fin clipped at time of pickup by the Contractor. Prior to release, all hatchery/surrogate fish shall be adipose fin clipped at minimum, unless permitted otherwise by ODFW and NMFS, and marked with a secondary mark if required for purposes herein. Therefore, the Contractor herein shall conduct any necessary marking, including adipose fin clipping, prior to release of hatchery fish if not done by the hatchery. Fish sourced from the surrogate program will not be marked in any way by the surrogate program; the Contractor herein is responsible for all required marking of hatchery fish sourced from the OSU surrogate program including adipose fin clipping.

9.2.5. Hatchery fish being supplied herein may be intermixed with fish with Coded Wire Tags

(CWT). The Contractor shall sort fish with a CWT back to the respective hatchery at the time of pickup (i.e., fish with CWTs are not being provided for contract requirements herein). Fish with a CWT must be sorted and returned to the hatchery before fish are transported off-site (i.e., fish cannot be returned to the respective hatchery once taken offsite). This will primarily occur in the South Santiam sub-basin and to some extent at Dexter Fish Facility/Hatchery (primarily with yearling Chinook) but may occur at all hatcheries.

9.2.6. While physical space and river water supplies may exist at some locations (e.g., Cougar Dam tailrace, hatcheries), the Contractor shall be prepared to conduct the necessary fish holding, tagging and marking in a self-sufficient, self-contained manner, using Contractor supplied tagging station(s) and water supply system(s). The Contractor shall not mark/tag fish at the OSU surrogate facility (i.e., fish must be picked up and marked/tagged offsite).

9.2.7. Hatchery Chinook fry are typically available starting in the late winter (approximately March depending on sub-basin conditions such at water temperatures), subyearling Chinook are typically available late spring to December, and yearling Chinook are typically available January to March. Following coordination with the COR and ODFW, the Contractor herein shall be responsible for picking up hatchery/surrogate fish during periods of availability and holding.

9.2.7.1. For the Middle Fork Willamette sub-basin, hatchery yearling Chinook held at Dexter Fish Facility must be picked up by 01 February 2026, as the Dexter hatchery (Dexter Fish Facility) will be shutdown annually for construction during the mid-February to mid-May periods (i.e., no MF Willamette hatchery yearling Chinook are available during these periods from the hatchery at Dexter Dam).

9.2.7.2. South Santiam yearling Chinook held at South Santiam hatchery (at Foster Dam) shall be picked up by 28 February 2026 as the final South Santiam yearling Chinook release occurs 01 March annually.

9.2.7.3. Hatchery juvenile Chinook may be held at hatcheries in alternate sub-basins – for example, Willamette Hatchery has been holding some South Santiam and Middle Fork Willamette hatchery juvenile Chinook for RM&E needs herein in recent years.

9.3. Bulk/Batch Marking General Requirements

9.3.1. The Contractor shall uniquely mark each release group with 8 mm or 12 mm PIT tags (in accordance with section 9.1.4) to uniquely identify each release group and to uniquely distinguish each release group herein from run-of-river Chinook captured throughout the WVP and that are elastomor (VIE) marked both herein and under separate contract (e.g., via rotary screw traps).

9.3.1. The Contractor shall tag each release group at least 2-3 weeks prior to release with sufficient numbers marked to account for mortality prior to release and for control group(s).

9.3.2. The Contractor shall monitor tag injury, tag retention to document long-term visibility of tags or marks, and mortality (including long term mortality including injury from tagging) by:

9.3.2.1. Holding a sample of marked fish groups for observation with a target of 3-5% and minimum of 50 fish per mark/tag group (i.e., mark and hold an additional 3-5% of each mark/tag group).

9.3.2.2. Holding observation groups for 2 weeks post-marking.

9.3.2.3. Sample group can be part of the release group if sufficient holding time for release group at large is achieved.

9.3.3. The Contractor shall hold fish in low densities consistent with established hatchery holding/rearing and transport protocols (i.e., ≤5 lbs of fish per 1 gpm inflow and ≤0.5 lbs per 1 gallon of water) (e.g., USACE WFOP, USACE FPP).

9.3.4. The Contractor shall be responsible for setup and maintenance of fish marking and holding stations within the Willamette Valley Project to complete tasks including PIT tagging, and holding of juvenile spring Chinook. These facilities shall be placed on USACE-owned and managed property (e.g., at a dam) with specific locations to be identified and selected in coordination with the COR -or- at ODFW hatchery facilities with permission of the respective hatchery manager (to be obtained and maintained by the Contractor). Contractor’s facilities shall be self-contained and maintained by the contractor.

9.4. Rotary Screw Trap Sampling General Requirements

9.4.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for the safe, effective, and proper deployment, placement, inspection, maintenance, and demobilization of rotary screw traps including all necessary equipment to deploy, anchor, and maintain all equipment. Rotary screw trap anchors and highlines shall be capable of the securing the rotary screw trap through the range of potentially observed environmental and hydraulic conditions. While modifications to some WVP operations may occur frequently (e.g., hourly basis, or day/night), rotary screw trap evaluations are expected to be at the scale of daily, weekly, and seasonal level (i.e., the USACE is not requiring reporting of sampling metrics at an hourly resolution solely for the purposes of evaluating operations). Trap deployment and sampling protocols shall be tailored to hydraulic conditions in each location which may vary over the course of a 24-hour (e.g., due to changing project discharge levels) and seasonal periods and be consistent with sound sampling protocols.

9.4.2. The Contractor shall be responsible for rotary screw traps from award (see GFE section for further details) through completion of field work components. This includes responsibility for routine status checks during non-sampling periods between sampling periods. If sampling should cease before a task’s stated completion of monitoring end date (e.g., due to high water temperatures), the Contractor shall continue routine status checks of the traps in the non-sampling position through the end of the period of performance or a date specified by the Government at the time of sampling stoppage (e.g., when traps are removed from the river).

9.4.3. Deployment and anchoring hardware shall not be drilled into USACE property or USGS gaging stations; use of alternate anchoring hardware such as ecology blocks and tree anchors shall be utilized. RST anchors and highlines shall be capable of the securing the rotary screw trap through the range of environmental and hydraulic conditions that may be observed during the sampling periods and non-sampling periods if/when rotary screw traps remain in the river.

9.4.4. The Contractor shall be responsible for regularly evaluating conditions and adjusting equipment deployment strategies (including on a daily basis, if and when warranted). RSTs shall be deployed in a way that allows for safe, in-field adjustments with minimal tools and staff once traps are deployed (e.g., through the use of easily adjustable cable lengths).

9.4.5. RST(s) shall be operated consistent with Task requirements (i.e., within specified date ranges) unless conditions (e.g., high or low flows) prohibit effective and/or safe operations. The Contractor shall coordinate non-sampling events with the COR in advance; the COR shall be notified within 24 hours following sampling deviations when advance coordination cannot feasibly occur. All traps are to be checked and cleared of fish and debris on a daily basis (once per day at minimum) consistent with weather and environmental conditions, (e.g., more than once per day during periods of high total dissolved gas (TDG), storm events and/or periods of high debris transport). The Contractor shall be prepared to check and clear traps multiple times per day during high flow and/or high debris events.

9.4.6. Accurate logs of rotary screw trap operations shall be maintained and reported including start and end times, debris blockage events, cone rotations, sampling times, and other pertinent data for interpreting rotary screw trap results and reporting Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE).

Electronic copies of trap operations logs will be provided to the COR at the end of each monitoring period.

9.4.7. The Contractor shall anticipate periodic requirements to pause sampling efforts and/or temporarily remove sample equipment (e.g., rotary screw traps) due to project operations (e.g., debris flushing, USACE dam/facility maintenance actions) or high stream flows. If trap removal by the Contractor is necessary for USACE dam/facility maintenance actions, it is anticipated that the Contractor will receive at least two days’ notice from the COR prior to the requirement for temporary trap removal by the Contractor, if feasible (e.g., if not associated with emergency and/or unanticipated actions such as high flows). Temporary removal of an RST by the Contractor is anticipated to occur no more than once per sample period per site.

9.4.8. The Dexter Fish Facility (Lowell, OR) will be undergoing construction activities to upgrade the fish hatchery facility. It is anticipated the Dexter Facility will be annually shutdown mid- February to mid-May and will be a construction site year-round (i.e., beyond the end of this Contract period of performance). The Contractor will be provided access to the rotary screw trap but should anticipate being required to walk-in to the RST from nearby parking area(s) due to active construction activities within the hatchery area.

9.4.9. In the event of rotary screw trap damage, the Contractor shall repair the affected trap within 2 business days. If a rotary screw trap is damaged beyond repair, the Contractor shall remove the damaged trap within 5 business days. An alternate Government furnished trap shall be re-installed as soon as feasible to meet task specific requirements following coordination with the Corps (i.e., within 5 days if a spare trap is available and dam/environmental operations permit safe redeployment).

9.4.9.1. The Contractor shall work with the USACE to assess trap damage when reporting is necessary in accordance with EM-381-1 and/or GFP clauses including to determine cause and to complete any necessary paperwork (e.g., for accident reporting, damage to GFP).

9.4.10. Standard biological metrics for fish shall be recorded consistent with previous rotary screw trap methods in the Willamette Valley (e.g., Romer et al. 2013-2017; Keefer et al. 2013, EAS 2022-2024) and Smolt Monitoring Program in the Columbia Basin (e.g., FPC 2012) including identification to species, age class (fry, parr, smolt, subyearling, yearling), size distribution (fork length to nearest mm and weight), abundance, external physical condition (e.g., % descaling, injuries, disease, pathogens, parasites including parasitic copepod infection intensity), and migration timing where appropriate. If daily collections exceed 50 target fish, collection of weight data shall be limited to a representative sample of 50 fish.

9.4.10.1. All Chinook and winter steelhead (at minimum) shall be examined for signs of injury from gas bubble trauma (GBT) consistent with established evaluation methods (e.g., Romer et al. 2015, FPC 2012). Any mortalities or injured fish, regardless of species, shall be examined for signs of injury including gas bubble trauma (GBT) (e.g., Romer et al. 2015, FPC 2012).

9.4.10.2. Mortalities in the trap and injuries of dead fish shall be recorded and reported separately from live fish with injuries to reduce bias (e.g., capture rate in traps of live and dead fish is different). Conditions of fish such as fungus or parasites are generally considered independent of dam passage but may contribute to mortality and shall be grouped separately from dam related injuries. In particular, copepod infestation levels will be recorded as a potential variable contributing to mortality. For injuries associated with dam passage, they will be further delineated by their suspected cause:

mechanical (e.g., descaling, body damage) or barotrauma (e.g., gas bubble symptoms).

Evaluation of dam passage versus trapping and handling effects on fish on injury and mortality shall be evaluated consistent with requirements herein and section 9.4.16.10.

9.4.10.3. All external markings shall be recorded for purposes of delineating natural and hatchery origin stocks.

9.4.11. For the purposes of conducting ‘Dam Passage Evaluations,’ the USACE may release marked juvenile chinook in the reservoir(s) for evaluating dam passage during various periods during the period of performance (including, but not necessarily limited to batch/bulk mark releases herein). The Contractor shall note any of these marked fish captured in the rotary screw traps and report standard sampling metrics for this group separately in the associated reporting documents (e.g., location, date, species, size, condition, etc). These fish shall not be used for other purposes by the Contractor such as trap capture efficiency estimates and abundance estimate calculations where their use would be biased. The USACE will notify the Contractor of releases and mark type(s) at time of release. The Contractor shall ensure fish released for Contractor conducted trap efficiency trials are marked via a different method to ensure the Contractor can differentiate fish at the time of recapture in the rotary screw traps. Marking methods by USACE and others may include both external marks (e.g., adipose fin, maxillary bones) and internal tags (e.g., PIT tags, acoustic tags, radio tags).

9.4.12. If Bull trout are captured in tailrace rotary screw traps, the specimen shall be measured, scanned for PIT tag (likely to be half duplex tags), PIT tagged in coordination with ODFW and evaluated in accordance with standard sampling metrics and permit requirements. The COR and ODFW shall be notified of capture with the specimen retained in the live box and provided for transport by USACE/ODFW if requested in a timely manner by the COR. Bull trout are typically observed in the South Fork McKenzie and in the vicinity of Hills Creek dam.

9.4.13. If lamprey (adults, juveniles, or larvae) are captured in rotary screw traps, the specimen shall be scanned for PIT tags (potentially half duplex) and evaluated in accordance with standard sampling metrics including measurement of total length (mm), life-stage (eyed = adult or juvenile; no eye = larvae), and lamprey genus (ENTOSPHENUS = Pacific Lamprey;

LAMPETRA = Western Brook Lamprey/Western River Lamprey). A fin clip for DNA analysis shall be collected and provided to the COR for transfer to the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission (CRITFC), up to a total of 200 samples per year.

9.4.14. PIT Tagging and Elastomer (VIE) Marking

9.4.14.1. All salmonids shall be scanned for the presence of PIT tags and coded wire tags

(CWT). All associated data shall be recorded if detected (e.g., location including upstream/downstream of dam, date, time, species, size). PIT tag data shall be uploaded to PTAGIS at minimum weekly, in accordance with standard PTAGIS reporting requirements, and reported to the USACE in accordance with reporting requirements.

9.4.14.2. All juvenile spring Chinook and juvenile winter steelhead (O. mykiss) meeting established minimum size thresholds (i.e., >45mm) shall be PIT-tagged and released in accordance with individual task requirements and Section 9.1 General Requirements.

PIT tag data shall be uploaded to PTAGIS at least weekly in accordance with standard PTAGIS reporting requirements and reported to the USACE in accordance with reporting requirements including in the biweekly reports, biannual reports, and annual reports.

9.4.14.3. All, up to 1,000 per week, per site, juvenile spring Chinook and Oncorhynchus mykiss that may be winter steelhead (i.e., all O. mykiss in the North and South Santiam River sub-basins), if not PIT tagged (i.e., those ≤45 mm), shall be uniquely marked with elastomer (VIE) tags/marks (e.g., Leblanc, C.A., and Noakes, D.L., 2012). Elastomer marking color and location shall be changed at least once per month (i.e., monthly) to uniquely identify groups of fish caught in downstream screw traps in discrete monthly periods (i.e. by sample location, period & brood year). The Contractor herein shall record and report all recaptures of VIE tagged (or similar) fish at downstream sampling site(s) including standard reporting metrics (e.g., fish condition/health) consistent with other contract requirements and summarize these metrics including for both Contractor-marked and USACE-marked fish (including marking by other contractors).

9.4.14.4. Standard biological metrics shall be recorded for all PIT tagged and elastomer marked fish.

9.4.14.5. Other entities are marking juvenile salmonids in the region with elastomer (or similar) tags including at rotary screw traps; the Contractor shall coordinate with the COR on marking strategies to avoid any conflicts.

9.4.15. Scale and Tissue Samples

9.4.15.1. The Contractor shall collect tissue and scale samples, meeting size thresholds below, from all juvenile Chinook, and from winter steelhead including O. mykiss in the Santiam River sub-basins. Samples will be collected and catalogued to provide a brood year reference collection for evaluating productivity of outplanted adult fish as part of a future pedigree analysis and for identifying stream-reared yearlings in returning adult salmon.

9.4.15.2. Fin clips for DNA samples shall be taken on fish ≥45mm and scale samples shall be taken on all fish ≥50mm in length.

9.4.15.3. If necessary to sub-sample, a representative sample of juvenile Chinook shall be sampled from up to 100 juvenile Chinook per day and at no less than ten percent of daily catch at each head-of-reservoir site. Samples will be collected from juvenile fish across the migration period. Samples will be catalogued along with appropriate data such as date, size of fish, and location (upstream or downstream trap). See Banks et al., 2012 and Banks et al., 2014.

9.4.15.4. A small sample of caudal fin tissue shall be non-lethally collected and placed in a vial with 95% ethanol with standard sampling metrics recorded for all samples including date of collection, species, age class, length measurements, and presence or absence of any marks including an adipose fin (Banks et al., 2011, Banks et al., 2014).

9.4.15.5. Consistent with established biological sampling methods in the basin, scales shall be periodically collected and analyzed by the Contractor herein to verify the age class determinations of captured fish, with selective sampling at sizes where age classes may overlap. This is to be consistent with historical sampling methods (e.g., EAS 2024a, EAS 2024b, Romer et al.) and annual reporting requirements herein to verify age class assignments (fry, parr, subyearling, yearling).

9.4.15.6. All tissue and scale samples, including a hardcopy of sample information, shall be turned over to the COR for long term storage. An electronic copy of sample records shall be concurrently provided to the COR for concurrent record keeping purposes.

9.4.16. Passage/Abundance Estimates and Trap Efficiency (TE) Estimates

9.4.16.1. The intent is to evaluate the operational measures being implemented and passage/abundance estimates should reflect passage during the period of screw trap operation and operational measures being evaluated.

9.4.16.2. An abundance (passage) index at each site shall be estimated using metrics that influence collection and passage estimates including, but not necessarily limited to, numbers of fish caught, fish size, and flow. These estimates shall supplement estimates derived from trap efficiencies, to provide an approximate index to determine timing, and to provide approximate passage/abundance during periods of relatively low migration.

9.4.16.3. Trap Efficiency estimates shall be calculated by the Contractor and in sufficient detail for calculation of passage /abundance estimates by route of passage at each sample site and for each age class of spring Chinook (i.e., subyearling and yearling) and winter steelhead where sufficient data exists. Passage/Abundance estimates of out migrating juvenile salmonids at rotary screw trapping locations shall include 95% confidence intervals, be calculated consistent with the long-term RM&E plan filed with U.S. District Court, and as updated here- in by marking fish from each species and age-class category and releasing the marked fish upstream of the trap(s).

9.4.16.4. Due to typically relatively low capture rate of run-of-river fish, it shall be necessary for the Contractor to mark or tag hatchery Chinook to determine trap efficiencies and passage/abundance estimates. Trap efficiencies trials shall also be conducted with run-of- river Chinook where sufficient numbers of fish are captured for conducting recapture trials.

9.4.16.5. The Contractor shall determine final methods for conducting trap efficiencies and passage/abundance estimates except as otherwise specified (i.e., Contractor’s discretion on how to mark fish as long as methods are suitable for the trap efficiency and abundance/passage estimate purposes to meet requirements herein, do not conflict with marking by others, and are in accordance with all permits). It is anticipated Chinook will be marked via a method such as elastomer tags, PIT tags, fin clips, and/or a unique dye color (e.g., Bismarck Brown Y, photonic die mark).

Any PIT tag data, if collected for the purpose of conducting trap efficiency trials, shall be uploaded to PTAGIS on a weekly basis at minimum and in accordance with standard PTAGIS reporting requirements.

9.4.16.5.1. The Contractor shall PIT tag juvenile Chinook salmon >45mm used for RST TE trials in the South Santiam River sub-basin including above Foster Dam, below Green Peter Dam, and above Green Peter Dam. The Contractor shall PIT tag juvenile Chinook salmon >45mm used for RST TE trials in the South Fork McKenzie River above Cougar Dam. There may be PIT tag detection arrays operating in these sub-basins such that releases of PIT tagged juvenile Chinook herein may be used by others for PIT tag system detection efficiency trials. The Contractor shall coordinate release schedules of PIT tagged fish with the COR at least one week in advance to allow time for USACE to coordinate with other entities.

9.4.16.6. The Contractor shall provide detailed planning information for conducting capture efficiency trials and…