PWS EDB and SFS_Draft 20210305.pdf

Performance Work Statement

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Southern Fox Squirrel

Monitoring and Tracking

1. SCOPE: This Performance Works Statement (PWS) defines the effort required by the Natural

Resources Section (NRS) of the Environmental Division (ED) to monitor and track Eastern Diamondback

Rattlesnakes (EDB) and Southern Fox Squirrels (SFS) located on Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris

Island (MCRDPI).

1.1. Background: Since 2008, researchers from Marshall University have monitored the MCRDPI eastern diamondback rattlesnake (EDB) population using mark-recapture and radio telemetry methods.

Baseline work with our population of the EDB was initially related to the 202K Grow the Force

Environmental Assessment in 2008. Twelve years of monitoring have been completed by the same contractors that initiated the work/study in 2008. Results have indicated that our maritime (coastal) rattlesnake population is behaving differently than the inland populations. Additionally with recent hurricane-related timber management activities there are concerns that human/EDB interactions could increase. Recent anecdotally observed changes in mammal populations has shown a decline in the EDB population. Further monitoring, tracking and population evaluation work are necessary to fully understand this species, habitat management actions and recruit training activities so that we can manage it and its habitat more effectively.

Additionally, Southern Fox Squirrels were translocated to Parris Island from wild populations in Beaufort

County, SC in order to re-establish populations of the Southern Fox Squirrel (SFS) as part of a comprehensive restoration plan and stewardship of the Depot’s natural resources. This study was also initiated by Marshall University and is centered on a conservation/mitigation program. The program uses translocations to increase biological integrity and ecosystem services. As a result of current efforts, monitoring suggests that recruitment (i.e. new births on the island) is occurring in the MCRDPI SFS population. Project goals are to continue monitoring translocated fox squirrels on the MCRDPI to assess survival, live trapping animals and increase sampling effort to document recruitment and determine whether additional translocations onto the installation are necessary. Continued efforts will require any new SFS subsequent offspring to be live trapped and re-fitted with radio collars and continued monitoring.

Continued efforts to monitor these species will focus on quantifying EDB and SFS demographics, locations, habitat use and spatial ecology to assist MCRDPI natural resources personnel in their efforts to manage the EDB and SFS population, ensuring continued access to training areas on the installation to support the continuity of operations, help prevent human-EDB/SFS conflicts and assist MCRDPI with the stewardship of the Depot’s natural resources.

1.2. Description of Services:

This PWS describes the services required to maintain continuous data collection, monitoring and tracking in order to better understand the species movements and habitat use. The Eastern Diamondback

Rattlesnake is a State and Federal species of concern and is under review for proposed listing under the

Endangered Species Act (ESA). The SFS is also a State species of concern. Both EDB and SFS requirements assist the NRS in proactively managing these resources to support the recruit training mission per the Depot’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan and MCO 5090.2, Volume 11 – Natural

Resources Management.

1.3. Objectives:

The monitoring and tracking of EDB and SFS will enable the Depot natural resources personnel to: 1) manage the natural resources around the training mission thus assisting with continued access in order to support the Depot’s Continuity of Operations; 2) manage the habitat necessary to support wildlife in which we are charged with managing as required by MCO 5090.2, Volume 11; 3) help to better protect recruits, DRAFT civilians, and permanent personnel from EDB and SFS interactions and vise-versa; 4) and potentially increase the biodiversity of the Depot.

1.4. Task Requirements:

1.4.1 Southern Fox Squirrel (SFS) Monitoring

Task

Number

Work Milestones Projected

Completion

Date

1 Trap SFS on MCRDPI, collect data, install bands/tags/monitoring devices, release.

Mar 2022

2 Install wildlife cameras to monitor SFS’s Dec 2021

3 Track/monitor translocated SFS’s, collect data. Mar 2022

4 Analyze data from SFS monitoring/tracking; develop final report and preliminary adaptive management protocol.

Mar 2022

1.4.1.1 Trap SFS on MCRDPI, collect data, install bands/tags/monitoring devices, release:

Trap between 10-12 MCRDPI fox squirrels, mark and equip with radio transmitters. Collect/record physical data, locations, habitat type for individuals. Install tags/bands and monitoring devices on individuals.

1.4.1.2 Install wildlife cameras to monitor SFS at different sites: Install wildlife camera on

MCRDPI at various locations based on observed and tracked locations of individuals IOT monitor/track movements of SFS (males, females and any potential offspring).

1.4.1.3 Track/monitor translocated SFS, collect data: Track/monitor transmittered SFS individuals 2-3 days/week. Collect/record data on individuals, movements, locations, habitat, weather, etc.

1.4.1.4 Analyze data from SFS monitoring/tracking; develop final report and preliminary management protocol: This should be developed based on the information gathered from the inventory and monitoring/tracking work performed throughout the year. Information such as survivorship throughout the year, habitat preferences through the seasons, home range requirements and population densities within these habitats shall be utilized to develop the model. This will provide some predictive capabilities for personnel to manage the habitat for future training, resource management and personnel/animal protection.

1.4.1.5 Deliverables: The contractor shall deliver a preliminary draft of the final report with project methods, results and relevant management strategy protocols for translocating SFS’s to the

MCRDPI Natural Resources Manager (NRM) for review by Feb 2022. One printed copy of any supporting material and one CD-ROM shall be submitted. The contractor shall submit GIS layers and metadata of sample points, movements, species home range maps and habitat use to the MCRDPI NRM and appropriate personnel at the receiving property for review and quality control by Feb 2022.

1.4.2 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Monitoring and Tracking

Task

Number

Work Milestones Projected

Completion

Date

1 Conduct visual surveys and monitor/track previously implanted EDB’s.

Assessment of whether to capture more to implant/transmitter.

Feb 2022

2 Capture, implant and/or re-implant transmitters in EDB’s, collect data, release.

Mar 2022

3 Track/monitor EDB’s, collect data. Feb 2022

4 Analyze data from EDB monitoring/tracking; develop final report and preliminary adaptive management protocol.

Mar 2022

1.4.2.1 Survey and monitor previously implanted EDBs at MCRDPI: If necessary determine if more specimens need to be captured and transmittered. Conduct visual surveys. Record tracking data.

1.4.2.2 Capture EDBs on MCRDPI: Capture transmittered EDBs that have been tracked/utilized in the previous research and determine if temporary transmitters need to be attached (based on the length of time left on the current transmitter). Capture any non-tracked EDBs and attach or implant transmitters. Record data on individuals such as biostatistics, location captured and weather. If necessary, re-implant individuals with new transmitters in order to assure at least another year’s worth of tracking life.

Release and continue monitoring/tracking.

1.4.2.3 Track/monitor EDBs; collect data: Track animals 2-3 times each week. Collect data on each animal, movements, locations, habitat, weather, etc. Record data.

1.4.2.4 Analyze data from EDB monitoring/tracking: Use data collected from inventory and monitoring/tracking work performed throughout the year. Develop final report to address information such as survivorship throughout the year, habitat preferences through the seasons, home range requirements and population densities within these habitats. Develop preliminary adaptive management protocol that provides predictive capabilities for personnel to manage the habitat for future training, resource management and personnel/animal protection.

1.4.2.5 Deliverables: The contractor shall deliver a preliminary draft of the final report with project methods, results and relevant management strategy protocols for monitoring, tracking and managing EDB’s to the MCRDPI Natural Resources Manager (NRM) for review by Feb 2022. One printed copy of any supporting material and one CD-ROM shall be submitted. The contractor shall submit GIS layers and metadata of sample points, movements, species home range maps and habitat use to the

MCRDPI NRM for review and quality control by Feb 2022.

1.5 Government Furnished Property, Material, Equipment or Information

The Government will support the contractor with locally derived GIS maps and data layers such as roads, wetlands, training areas, installation restoration sites, forested areas in order for the contractor to develop sample sites, deploy equipment and make other decisions needed to adequately perform the work.

MCRDPI will supply transmittered SFS’s that will be tracked and captured by the contractor.

1.6 Period of Performance: 1 Apr 2021 – 31 Mar 2022, or one year from the date of the funds approval/transfer.

1.6.1 Place of Performance: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.

1.6.2 Security: There will be no special security requirements other than the standard contractor access process through Depot’s Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO) at 584 Wake Blvd and the Depot’s Security

Office (DSO) located in the Building #286.

1.6.3 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel working in situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

1.6.4 Contractor Travel: The contractor is responsible for making any travel arrangements required to support this work. Personnel clearance will be required through the DSO background check process and DRAFT through PMO. A valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of vehicle insurance will be required by PMO for vehicle/personnel entry.

1.6.5 Base Access: Contractor Base Access forms will be provided to contract awardee at time of award.

1.7. General Information

1.7.1 Hours of Operation: The contractor shall be responsible for coordinating services with authorized personnel. The Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of operations of

MCRD Parris Island is essential. Environmental Division hours are: 0730-1700. All work conducted on weekends shall be coordinated and scheduled with authorized Government personnel prior to performance.

1.7.2. Recognized Holidays: The following major holidays is observed:

New Year’s Day Labor Day

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day

President’s Day Veteran’s Day

Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day

Independence Day Christmas Day

1.8 Considerations

1.8.1 The Contractor shall be and remain liable to MCRD Parris Island in accordance with applicable laws for all damages to any facility cause by the Contractor’s negligent performance of any of the services furnished under this contract. The rights and remedies provided for under this contact are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law.

1.8.2 Any cost associated with services subcontracted by the Contractor shall be borne by and be the complete responsibility of the Contractor under the fixed price of this contact.