Services_Contract_FY21_-_SOW_1.doc

Statement of Work – Fisheries & Ecological Services Data Collection, Analysis and Support Services

1. Introduction

The Fisheries and Ecological Services Division (FES) in Region 7 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) consists of a diverse group of cross-cutting programs that have varied responsibilities to understand and address complex issues such as fisheries management, endangered and threatened species, environmental contaminants, habitat protection and restoration, and marine mammal conservation and recovery. We deliver these programs and associated products through Fish and Wildlife Field Offices located across the state of Alaska, as well as through numerous partnerships with state agencies, universities, tribes, non-profits, private land owners and other stakeholders.

2. Objective

The program objective is to assist the R7 Service FES Program in carrying out its stewardship responsibilities for protected species, birds, fish, marine mammals and habitats. Collectively, the services provided will facilitate implementation of agency mandates and assist in achieving the objectives of conservation of trust species and their associated habitats.

General areas of assistance to the R7 Service FES Program include:

· conducting literature reviews;

· collecting, compiling and analyzing data;

· conducting or participating in research and monitoring projects;

· developing field study plans and associated budgets;

· drafting responses, letters, reports and reviews;

· evaluating the effect of proposed actions on species and habitats;

· conducting and documenting site visits;

· entering data and conducting quality control reviews and querying databases to extract data or determine the status of actions;

· attending meetings, conferences, site visits;

· copying documents, compiling records (including responses to Freedom of Information Requests and Administrative Records), organizing and maintaining filing systems (including electronic filing);

· conducting biological analysis of proposed actions;

· preparing maps and other geographical displays and analysis;

· preparing and distributing mass mailings;

· scanning files to a PDF format and filing or uploading to a FTP site and other services as required and necessary;

· providing meeting support including facilitation; organizing meetings including finding locations, assisting participants, preparing materials and a variety of support services during the meeting itself; taking meeting notes and other meeting products and outcomes.

· implementing habitat conservation, restoration and enhancement projects; and

· evaluating the effectiveness of management decisions on species and habitats.

3. Activities

3.1. Document Preparation and Presentation

Objective: To prepare responses to inquiries, white papers, reports and other documents.

Specific Activities:

· Prepare responses to requests for information on the presence of species and habitats, and analysis of potential impact to these from proposed projects and activities

· Compile and analyze biological information on species, habitats or threats

· Prepare PowerPoint presentations, fact sheets, reports, letters, and other documents

· Develop content for a variety of print and electronic publications

· Prepare materials for meetings

3.2. Technical Writing and Editing

Objective: To prepare scientific and policy documents and review and edit written documents.

Specific Activities:

· Prepare documents which include technical scientific information

· Edit documents to ensure accurate scientific information

· Edit documents to correct grammatical errors

· Edit documents to ensure consistency with agency guidance, format and policy

3.3. Information Collection, Review, Compilation and Analysis

Objective: To collect information on species distribution and abundance, habitat quantity and quality and other information on natural resources, verify the accuracy of this data, and analyze it.

Specific Activities:

· Conduct literature reviews

· Conduct site visits to collect data in the field, including the use of boats, trucks, ATVs, aircraft

· Conduct field work including capturing fish and wildlife, collecting data, restoring habitat

· Enter data into databases and conduct quality assurance/quality control

· Conduct public opinion polls

· Analyze outreach metrics

· Gather and analyze economic and demographic information

3.4. Study Design & Statistical Analysis

Objective: Work with program biologists to ensure that proposed research projects are of sufficient scientific rigor and statistical design so as to provide meaningful results. Conduct power analyses to help identify the appropriate study characteristics including sample size, years of duration, number of replicates, etc. Work with program staff to analyze data collected in a timely and compete manner so that it is available for management purposes.

Specific Activities:

· Work with FES staff to ensure that all study proposals have specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-specific management objectives.

· Work with FES staff to ensure that all study proposals include a plan for the design, analysis, reporting and management of data.

· Work with staff within Ecological Services to develop study proposals for at-risk species which focus on key information needs to determine the current and likely future condition of such species.

3.5. Impact Analysis

Objective: Identify, evaluate and work to mitigate adverse impacts of proposed actions (e.g., dams, wind turbines, wave turbines, oil and gas development, and other structures and development projects) on resources and habitats.

Specific Activities:

· Review construction and design plans to determine potential impacts

· Make recommendations for modifications to avoid, minimize or mitigate potential impacts to Service resources

· Review and summarize literature for insights into how these structures and activities have impacted species and habitats in other locations

· Make recommendations for policy, guidance, and criteria for assessing projects

· Work with Partners internally and externally to implement projects for the benefit of fish and wildlife and their habitat

· Provide recommendations in issues associated with fish passage, stream flow analyses, study requests, monitoring and mitigation needs

3.6. Field Study Design, Including Logistical Planning and Budget Estimation

Objective: Based on oil spill scenarios developed by FES staff, develop geographic region-specific work plan templates for ephemeral data collection pertaining to natural resources under the trusteeship of the Service. Products will include budget templates for the work plans and will address all logistical aspects of implementing the work plan. Templates will be scalable to adjust the scope of the field studies to various magnitudes of oil spill impacts.

Specific Activities:

· Develop work plan and budget templates for at least three Alaska regions per year, to be identified by the FES staff.

· Review existing ephemeral data collection protocols, and if necessary, tailor existing protocols to be more directly relevant to a Alaska region.

· Review existing maps and aerial photography to examine coastal shoreline accessibility.

· Identify region-specific logistics challenges (e.g., physical access, communications in remote locations, transfer of electronic data and physical evidence from remote locations to Anchorage, etc.) and develop alternatives and associated cost estimates to remedy those challenges.

· Identify recommended minimum standards/qualifications for equipment and personnel that would be necessary for field study implementation.

· Consult with various Service programs whose services or expertise may be relevant for the implementation of field studies.

· Develop budget templates in the format of electronic spreadsheets that allow a user to quickly estimate the total cost of a particular size of study.

4. Expertise Required to Carry out Activities

As illustrated by the above list of activities, a wide range of administrative and technical services may be required under this statement of work. The labor categories and minimum qualifications that would be required to carry out all of the identified activities are as follows:

4.1. Ecologist / Environmental / Natural Resource Specialist

4.1.1 Level I: college degree in biology, wildlife management, natural resource management, environmental science or related field (equivalent to a GS 401/482/486-7) 4.1.2 Level II: college degree in biology, wildlife management, natural resource management, environmental science or related field and at least 2 years of related work experience (equivalent to a GS 401/482/486-9)

4.2. Data Technician/Analyst / Modeler

4.2.1.

Technician: College or other course work in data analysis, demonstrated experience in creating reports containing data analysis, preferably including a mapping component (GS 401/482/486-7)

4.2.2.

Analyst: College degree involving statistics and GIS, formal course work and demonstrated experience in initiating and completing analytical projects including using ArcGIS, knowledge and experience preferred (equivalent to a GS 401/482/486-9) 4.2.3.

Modeler: Ph.D. in quantitative ecology or statistics or demonstrated experience in in these fields of study. Knowledge and experience using integrated population models, Bayesian statistics, and experience with program R and ArcGIS is also preferred (equivalent to a

GS 401/1530-13)

4.3.

Engineering

4.3.1.

Engineering Tech II: college degree in engineering from a postsecondary institution accredited by ABET; minimum two year of automated drafting experience using AutoCAD Civil3D; minimum two year of entry level engineering fish passage design experience and an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate issued by a state or the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors or verification of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.

(equivalent to a GS-0810 or 0819/11 or Alaska DOT&PF Engineering Assistant III)

5. Travel & Training

5.1. Travel within Alaska may be required. The Government will reimburse the contractor for allowable travel and subsistence costs incurred by the contractor in performance of the contract and determined to be in accordance with FAR Subpart 31.205-46 Travel Costs. No travel time shall be charged for work performed within a 50 mile radius of the regular duty location. Per diem for travel on work assigned under this contract will be reimbursed consistent with company policy, but not to exceed the amount authorized in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR).

5.2. In rendering the services, the contractor shall be reimbursed for the actual costs of transportation incurred by its personnel not to exceed the cost of tourist class rail, or plane fare, to the extent that such transportation is necessary for the performance of the services hereunder and is authorized by the Contracting Officer.

5.3. Specific training will be required as a pre-requisite to providing specific services. Examples of these training include boat safety, bear/gun safety, CPR/first aid. The contractor will be expected to provide individuals with the required training. If a training is Service-specific, then it will be provided by the government.

5.4. The use of privately owned conveyance within the continental United States by the traveler will be reimbursed to the contractor at the mileage rate allowed by the FTR. Distances traveled between points shall be calculated using electronic standard highway mileage guides. The contractor shall explain any deviations from distance shown in such standard mileage guides.

6. To be Provided by the Government

6.1. The Service shall provide to the Contractor user identifications and passwords to access the Service computer systems upon completion of the required data access forms, clearances, and training. The Service shall provide computers, office space, and supplies at its facilities as well as field supplies, equipment and housing. If training is required that is only available from the Service, it will be provided by the government.

6.2. If it is determined to be in the best interest of the Government, the Contractor may be authorized to use Government supply sources to provide supplies or equipment required for contract performance.

7. To be Provided by the Contractor

7.1. Any equipment that is procured to complete a task with funds provided from this acquisition shall become Government property. Also any data, databases, web sites or other products or programs developed under this acquisition shall become the property of the Government.

7.2. Liability insurance is the responsibility of the contractor.

7.3. The contractor shall provide the following:

7.3.1. Sufficiently skilled staff to accomplish the above activities in the required quantity and of the required quality.

7.3.2. PPE for contractors

7.3.3. In the event that the government allows the Contractor to be a driver or passenger in Government Owned Vehicles (GOV) boats, ATVs or other equipment, the Government is neither liable nor responsible for any injury or property damage experienced by Contractor.

7.3.4. Supervision of contractor staff.

8. Period of Performance

The period of performance will vary by position and will begin when the individual(s) are hired.

Base Year

1. Ecologist I

a. Marine Mammals Management Regulatory Program, Anchorage Regional Office, 2,088 hours

2. Ecologist II

a. Regional Contaminants Program, Anchorage Regional Office, 1,044 hour

3. Data Technician

a. Conservation Genetics Laboratory, Anchorage Regional Office, 2,088 hours

4. Data Analyst

a. Conservation Genetics Laboratory, Anchorage Regional Office, 2,088 hours

5. Travel: $2,500 Base Year Options that may be exercised

6. Data Modeler

a. Mammals Management, Anchorage Regional Office; 0 to 2,088 hours

7. Engineering Tech II

a. Anchorage Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office; 0 to 2,088 hours

The table below lists the number of hours by labor categories that may be exercised in each option year. In each specific option year, the hours ordered by labor category will not exceed the number listed in the table.

Option 1