RPBB_Genetic_Samples_for_Nest_Abundance_SOW_for_Services_under_25K_1.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (2014 11 18)

Type of Service or Construction (NAICS) Title of Project (if any)

PR Number: _______________

Instructions: Complete all Bold Elements below and mark N/A for elements that are not applicable and delete sub elements. This will ensure that each element is considered.

1. General:

1.1 Describes the project in general terms. (Who (Field Office, complete address, zip + 4 )), What (Type of Service (NAICS) and Title), and Where (the work site).

This goal of this project is to collect non-lethal DNA samples via tarsal leg clips, from the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee (RPBB, Bombus affinis) across the varying habitats used by the species and across its range, as well as from the American bumble bee (AMBB, B. pensylvanicus) to support a landscape-scale genetics study to estimate the nesting density of these two ecologically dissimilar species. Non-lethal DNA samples will also be collected from the common Eastern bumble bee (CEBB, B. impatiens), a widespread and common species found in the U.S. Samples will be collected in the eastern, high elevation forests of West Virginia and Virginia. This information will provide more accurate estimates of nest densities than those currently used in USFWS Section 7(a)(2) consultations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which are largely based off a closely related European species, B. terrestris (USFWS 2025).

Buying Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service West Virginia Field Office (WVFO) 6263 Appalachian Highway Davis, West Virginia 26260-8061

1.2 Purpose/End Application: Briefly state the purpose of the project or Why the project is being pursued and desired outcome. If applicable, note how this requirement relates to other projects or requirements in process.

The rusty patched bumble bee was listed as an endangered species in 2017 due to an estimated 90% reduction in their historic range. Bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) conservation requires knowledge of nesting densities, but this aspect of their life history is poorly understood. There are no studies documenting the nest abundance or density of the rusty-patched bumble bee; as such, the USFWS has been applying the nest abundance of a related European bumble bee species when making consultation and management decisions regarding the RPBB. However, research shows that, in general, bumble bee nest abundance varies significantly between species and in habitat types. Furthermore, previous observations suggest that there are differences in RPBB nesting habitat, bee density, and nest abundance across the range of the species. Therefore, gaining specific information on the species in the 2 distinct portions of its range (the Midwest and the Appalachian) is valuable in guiding habitat restoration and conservation for this species. Similarly, AMBB is being assessed by the Service for potential ESA listing and analogous information needs exist for this species. CEBB data obtained from this study will be used as the experimental control, to compare rare species colony densities to those of a more common species, which will help determine future RPBB and AMBB conservation targets.

The MN-WI Field Office (MN-WI FO) of USFWS secured funding to contract with the The Koch Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory (KBCL), administered by University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, to perform genotyping of bumble bees using collected samples with microsatellite loci following Mola et al. (2024) to reconstruct full-sibling relationships and estimate nest abundance with genetic capture-recapture models (Capwire). The genetic data will also contribute data towards population health monitoring; genetic health of populations is a metric used to track progress towards long-term RPBB recovery goals. This specific project will support the fieldwork to locate and capture bumble bees, then collect non-lethal tarsal clip samples throughout the field season in 2027. Up to 30 tarsal clip samples will be collected from each species (RPBB, AMBB, and CEBB).

1.3 Contractor Qualifications: State in terms to maximize competition and include relevant experience and/or required (by law) certifications.

· Contractor must hold a valid Native Endangered Species Recovery permit, issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 10 of the ESA (16 USC 1539(a); 50 CFR 17.22, 50CFR 13 for the field season of 2027. Permit conditions must allow for capturing, handling, and collection of non-lethal tarsal leg clip samples from individual rusty patched bumble bees.

· Contractor must have previously located rusty patched bumble bees in the project areas and have species and habitat expertise sufficient to locate and capture the rare species, rusty patched bumble bee, in the high elevation forests of eastern West Virginia and western Virginia, in significant numbers.

· Contractor must have proven ability to handle bumble bees and collect genetic samples in a non-lethal manner from individual bumble bees.

· Contractor must be able to correctly identify bumble bee species present in the Appalachians, including both common and rare species to the species level. Contractor must also be able to identify workers, males, and queens.

· Contractor must have or be able to obtain authorization from the appropriate National Forests to collect pollen samples on USFS-owned land.

1.4 Other: Include, a relevant statutory authority, regulations, and/or references, pertinent background materials, or other relevant info. For extended information, reference an attachment or digital reference is recommended.

Bumble bees will be collected following the Service’s Voluntary Survey and Monitoring Technical Assistance and Best Survey Practices for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) (https://www.fws.gov/media/survey-and-monitoring-technical-assistance-rusty-patched-bumble-bee) within a standardized area (3.14 hectares). Tarsi clip collection and preservation methods will follow protocols provided by the Service (i.e., Best practices and protocols for the collection of incidental and non-lethal genetic samples from Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (RPBB; Bombus affinis) and (other imperiled bumble bees) in the U.S.).

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance (Where and When) the project is being completed.

2.1 Annotate the complete address and zip + 4 or closest complete address and zip + 4. Annotate if work is to be performed at the contractor site.

Work will be performed in high elevation forests in and around 2 National Forests in West Virginia and Virginia: the Monongahela and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Specific locations for collection of samples are at the discretion of the contractor and are contingent upon where the species is found in any given year.

Monongahela National Forest 200 Sycamore Street Elkins, WV 26241-3932

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest 5162 Valleypointe Parkway Roanoke, VA 24019-3050

2.2 Annotate the Performance start and end date. Annotate any conditions, limitations, or windows of opportunity impacted by the habitat, seasons or weather, or other projects.

Work will be performed under the conditions specified in the Section 10 Recovery Permit or as specified in Service’s monitoring technical assistance and best survey practices for the rusty patched bumble bee (https://www.fws.gov/media/survey-and-monitoring-technical-assistance-rusty-patched-bumble-bee), which limit non-lethal genetic collection to the period of time with the highest detection probability (e.g., from mid-June 1 through late August) of each year. All other conditions and limitations specified in the Recovery Permit must be followed. Genetic sample collection may occur in 2027.

2.3 Normal duty hours Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

Duty hours will be determined by the Contractor, as sampling must be conducted within the rusty patched bumble bee survey parameters outlined in the Section 10 Recovery Permit. In the event of emergencies, Contractor shall provide contact information.

2.4 Non‑duty hours include week nights, weekends, and Government holidays (New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King JR.s’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).

Nonduty hours will be determined by the Contractor.

3. Scope

3.1 This element does not repeat what is stated above and is technical to the extent of the requirement; describe more precisely what is expected of the contractor, not how to perform the work, (leave actual deliverables out of this element; annotate activities such as meetings, management requirements, strategy and any specialized expertise and services, training, and documentation (will be included in paragraph 4); use "shall" statements to make requirements binding.

The Contractor shall locate, capture, and collect as many as possible, but up to 30 genetic samples via non-lethal tarsal (leg tip) clips from active rusty patched bumble bee, American bumble bee, and common Eastern bumble bee colonies and foraging workers from the Appalachian part of the range from from mid-June through late August of 2027. Sampling shall end on August 31, 2027 or as soon as 30 samples are collected from each location. Contractor shall follow the non-lethal methodology to collect and preserve samples until they are transferred to the The Koch Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory. The non-lethal DNA collection, storage, and shipping methodology will be provided to the Contractor by the Service. The Contractor shall have performed surveys for the species in the Appalachian part of the species range to the extent that the contractor is familiar with areas of suitable habitat and can readily locate the rare rusty patched bumble bees on this landscape for capture and genetic sample collection. The Contractor shall have previous experience handling rusty patched bumble bees and a proven ability to obtain non-lethal genetic samples from individuals. The contractor shall communicate progress on collection of samples periodically to the WVFO.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule: (for extended list a bid schedule and/or use of line item detail on the PR is recommended)

4.1 Clearly state the deliverables required, the schedule for delivery, the quantities, schedule (for multiple items).

Up to 30 tarsal clip samples from individual rusty patched bumble bees will be collected for the USFWS during the 2027 field season from each survey location. Genetic samples will be stored at a suitable location and under suitable storage conditions by the contractor until the end of the field season, which is August 31 of each year. The collection and storage protocol will be provided to the Contractor by the Service and must be followed. After the sampling period has ended, the contractor will work with the USFWS WVFO and MN-WI FO to get the DNA samples sent to the The Koch Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory within 30 days. The contractor will also submit the data collected for each specimen according to the Section 10 Recovery Permit conditions.

4.2 Identify the type of documentation (printed and electronic-such as manuals) to be provided, as well as those quality indicators desired by the Government.

The contractor shall supply information for each genetic sample collected as specified in the Section 10 Recovery Permit. Information (electronic spreadsheet) shall include date of collection, location of collection, plant species the bee was using at the time of collection, a description of the habitat at the collection site, and all other information specified. Information shall accompany the submission of the samples.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP) for Science Data Agency Reference. The general criteria is if the contract has a data collection component. Ideally, these requirements are flagged by the different program data stewards. Use the following link to establish if a DMP exists and for template for developing a DMP. https://sites.google.com/a/fws.gov/rims3 Before submitting the SOW delete the link.

5.1 Annotate if a DMP is being used for data collection, when data is collected for a decision document, when new data is collected in the field, or with continued data collection such as in annual surveys. If a DMP is not relevant for ADHOC or when downloading existing data from the internet so state. NOTE: The Project Lead or technical cognizant has used discretion as to whether or not a DMP is relevant or not relevant and has determined it to be ___relevant or _X_ not relevant .

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

6.1 Identify any Government-furnished equipment (GPE) and Government furnished information (GFI) or note N/A N/A

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

7.1 The contractor will be evaluated as detailed herein. Government acceptance is contingent upon: the successful collection of non-lethal genetic samples via tarsal clips from individual RPBBs, AMBBs, and CEBBs without causing lethal take. The goal is to collect 30 genetic samples of each species; however, there is a possibility that fewer samples are collected, based on the number of and activity levels of bumble bee colonies on the landscape during the project. A minimum of 20 samples is ideal. Additionally, the number of samples that are allowed to be collected in given time frame depends upon conditions in the Section 10 Recovery Permit. Because the RPBB is rare on the landscape, it is required that the contractor have prior experience and knowledge locating colonies in the project areas. Therefore, the contractor will be evaluated on the ability to locate areas of activity and collect samples.

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

8.1 For commercial supplies reference clauses for inspection and acceptance. Where appropriate, QC will be maintained according to industry standards and made available to the agency with the contractor’s proposal.

8.2 Identify and detail measures for assessing quality control and acceptance; each requirement is unique and a table format is visually friendly and may be desirable.

Photo documentation of all captured RPBB individuals is required under the Section 10 Recovery Permit. This includes a photo prior to and following tarsal clip sample collection from individual bees to document non-lethal capture and that only one genetic sample is collected from each bee. This ensures that individuals are not sampled more than once and that other characteristics of individual bees are recorded (e.g., injuries to an individual, wing wear). Additionally, capture information, including individual bumble bee information and environmental and habitat information about the date and location of the capture are recorded in a Service spreadsheet (3-2526), as specified in the Voluntary Survey and Monitoring Technical Assistance for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) document. These records shall be reviewed for accuracy and completeness prior to submission.

9. Technical Coordinator:

9.1 Identify the primary individual responsible for the final product or service. This individual is ordinarily the author of this document, the Program Manager, or other. Include the Name, title, address, phone number and email for each individual.

9.2 Identify the secondary or co-individual responsible with same pertinent information.

Technical POC Briana Smrekar West Virginia Field Office 6263 Appalachian Highway Davis, West Virginia 26260 304-465-2514 briana_smrekar@fws.gov Administrative POC Kristen Hewitt West Virginia Field Office 6263 Appalachian Highway Davis, West Virginia 26260 304-850-1187 kristen_hewitt@fws.gov