Refuge Bee ID- Performance Work Statement (PWS).docx

United States Department of the Interior FWS National Wildlife Refuge System Two Rivers NWR 364 Wildlife Conservation Rd Brussels, IL 62013

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

BEE INVENTORIES OF THIRTEEN MIDWESTERN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES

Part 1

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personnel services contract to provide species level determinations and voucher specimen deposition for National Wildlife Refuge Bee Collections. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, transportation of materials, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Species level determinations and voucher specimen deposition for National Wildlife Refuge Collections as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: In recent decades, the decline of native bees and other pollinators has become an issue of increasing concern in the U.S. and globally (Kleijn et al. 2016). Both natural and agricultural systems may be negatively impacted by pollinator losses. Habitat loss and dwindling floral resources, caused by agricultural intensification and other land use changes are leading drivers of these losses (Klein et al. 2007, Goulson et al. 2008).

Whereas declines in managed European honey bees and some Bombus species are well-documented (Goulson et. al. 2008, Bretagnolle and Gaba 2015), less is known about baseline population numbers for many native bee species. What data we do have indicate many species may be at risk. For example, detailed inventories of bees at a site near Carlinville, IL spanning over a century have revealed species losses, declining pollinator services to native plants, and loss of pollinator network connections due to species losses and phenology shifts (Burkle et al. 2013). Mathiasson and Rehan (2019) inferred declines of 14 eastern U.S. native bee species in based on museum records. However, conclusions based on museum records alone are tenuous at best. Optimally, land managers need baseline inventories using standardized and ecologically-stratified sampling designs, such that sampling can be repeated detect status changes in insect species. Such data are especially challenging to obtain in the case of insects due to the intensity of labor required to sample, process, and database invertebrate samples, as well as the taxonomic expertise required for species-level identifications of hyperdiverse taxa (Cane & Tepedino 2001).

Between 2014 and 2016, the USFWS conducted a preliminary inventory of native bee species on 13 National Wildlife Refuges from the former Midwest Region of the USFWS. These surveys gathered a total of approximately 23,000 bee samples that remain to be identified, separated out by their originating refuge. Completed, these inventories will provide valuable baselines of bee diversity to land managers. However, we have thus far been unable to have the samples identified down to the species level to complete the inventory.

1.3 Objectives: The general objective of this work is to fully process the aforementioned collections of bees (superfamily Apoidea) sampled on National Wildlife Refuges and other areas managed by the USFWS. Processing will include preparing samples for archival storage, entering specimen identifications and associated metadata into a database, identifying all specimens to species or the lowest taxonomic level possible, and depositing voucher specimens for each taxon in the American Museum of Natural History.

1.4 Scope:

· Taxonomic identification, to the species level, of the approximately 23,000 bee samples obtained on the National Wildlife Refuges listed below.

· Safe transportation of samples from northern Missouri, where samples are currently located, to the Contractor’s work location

· Participating Refuges and Locations: Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Refuge (MO), Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (IN), Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (IN), Glacial Ridge and Rydell National Wildlife Refuges (MN), LaCrosse, McGregor, and Savanna Districts of the Upper Mississippi Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (WI, IA, IL), Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (MO), Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (MN), Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (IA), Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge (MO), Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge (MO), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (OH)

· Develop and deliver a database to hold the taxonomic identification of each specimen and associated information such as location and date that the sample was collected. To comply with USFWS policy, the database shall be returned to the FWS in a mutually agreed upon file format.

· The USFWS will own the resulting dataset. The Contractor is free to write papers and presentations relying on the data, but should follow standard scientific convention and contact relevant USFWS staff as potential co-authors.

· After all samples are identified, the Contractor will provide a final report summarizing the findings by location and identifying notable specimens.

· At the conclusion of the contract, relevant samples will be delivered to the American Museum of Natural History. The remainder of the samples may be retained by the Contractor or destroyed as they see fit, as the USFWS does not have facilities to store samples long term.

1.5 Period of Performance:

Narrative: Work will begin in October 2020, with pinning, labeling, and database development completed by September 2021. Sorting and identification of pinned specimens may commence once reasonable number have been pinned. Pinned specimens requiring expert level identification will delivered as refuge collection are processed and identified within 6 months. Final report and Museum deposition will be completed by May 2023.

The Period of Performance reads as follows:

· Base Year – October 1,2020 – Sept 30, 2021 – Begin pinning and labeling of samples

· Option Year I - Oct 1st 2021 – Sept 30th, 2022 – Specimens processed and bulk of identifications completed

· Option Year II - Oct 1st, 2022 – Sept 30, 2023 - Identify remaining specimens, prepare final report and database, archive specimins as appropriate

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is the means by which he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: Not applicable

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: Not applicable

1.6.5 Place of Performance: The work to be performed in a lab space provided by the Contractor.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The government will award a firm fixed contract.

1.6.7 Security Requirements: Not applicable

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: Not applicable

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.11 Key Personnel: The follow personnel are considered key personnel by the government: the Contract Manager and Alternate Contract Manager. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. At all times, the contract manager or alternate shall respond to all phone calls or emails within two days of any inquiry.

1.6.12 Identification of Contractor Employees: Not applicable.

1.6.13 Contractor Travel: Not applicable

1.6.14 Other Direct Costs:

Direct costs will include support for the contractor staff identifying the specimens, lab supplies, and travel expenses. It will also include expenses for equipment and for travel expenses. The contract has attached a quote for these services, attached to this packet.

Indirect costs remain to be negotiated.

1.6.15 Data Rights: The Government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract. All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, produced under this contract shall be Government owned and are the property of the Government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the Government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the Contracting Officer. All materials supplied to the Government shall be the sole property of the Government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other Government rights.

1.6.16 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may effect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.17 PHASE IN /PHASE OUT PERIOD: Not applicable.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: Not applicable.

3.2 Facilities: Not applicable.

3.3 Utilities: Not applicable.

3.4 Equipment: Not applicable.

3.5 Materials: Not applicable.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: NA

4.3. Materials. The Contractor shall furnish materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS.

4.4. Equipment. The Contractor shall furnish equipment necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for Species level determinations and voucher specimen deposition for National Wildlife Refuge bee collections.

5.2. Task Heading.

Laboratory Facilities and Staff : Processing of specimens will take place in the contractor’s laboratory space, properly equipped for bee identification.

Sample Processing: Samples will be processed following established protocols: to insure specimens remain with their associated data, all specimens proceed through designated stations in the Contractor’s lab. Unpinned specimens currently stored in Whirl-Paks will be rinsed, dried, pinned, and stored with temporarily labels while awaiting permanent labels with accession numbers. Archival labels with unique accession numbers, locality information, collection date, and any other information associated with the specimen will be created for each specimen not yet labeled. All specimens will be entered in a database, and sorted by genus or higher taxon. Samples from each refuge will be processed together. Refuge collections will be processed in sequence of greatest anticipated number of species. Collection from the refuge with the greatest anticipated diversity will be fully sorted before moving to the next refuge.

Taxonomic identity: Lowest possible taxa determination, locality information, date collected, and any other information associated with the specimen will be included in the database and labels for each specimen. Most taxa will be identified to the species level within the Contractor’s lab. If other taxonomic experts are required, specimens will be carefully packaged to insure safe shipment. As specimens are identified, they will be given a separate species label, and the database entries updated.

Data Analysis and Reporting As samples from each refuge are completed, a report documenting collection methods, identification methods, species lists, and species counts will be submitted to each National Wildlife Refuge. Electronic copies of the database for each collection will be submitted as well.

Archiving of Specimens Voucher specimens for each species, by Refuge, will be submitted along with any required forms to American Museum of Natural History, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, 200 Central Park West, NY, NY 10024. Remaining specimens will be deposited in the Contractors permanent collection or destroyed, unless otherwise directed by the USFWS at the end of this contract.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective (The Service required—usually a shall statement)

Method of Surveillance

PRS # 1.

Sample processing The contractor provided specimens that have been rinsed, dried, pinned, and stored with temporarily labels while awaiting permanent labels with accession numbers

PRS # 2

Taxonomic identity

Taxonomic identity, locality information, date collected, and any other information associated with the specimen will be included in the database and labels for each specimen.

PRS # 3

Data Analysis and Reporting

As samples from each refuge are completed, a report documenting collection methods, identification methods, species lists, and species counts will be submitted to each National Wildlife Refuge. Electronic copies of the database for each collection will be submitted as well.

PRS # 4

Archiving of Specimens

Voucher specimens for each species, by Refuge, will be submitted along with any required forms to American Museum of Natural History, Division of Invertebrate Zoology, 200 Central Park West, NY, NY 10024. If desired by the Contractor, other specimens can be retained, sent to other national or regional archives, or disposed of.