Sol_140L4323Q0168.pdf

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PORTLAND OR 97204

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07/24/2023 1400 PD

07/11/2023

(503) 808-6294Kim Karalus (No collect calls)

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140L4323Q0168

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ITEM NO.

NORTHWEST OREGON DISTRICT NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL

SURVEYS 2024

Period of Performance: 12/01/2023 to 09/30/2024

00010 Cascades NSO FY24 Out Year Product/Service Code: B534 Product/Service Description: SPECIAL

STUDIES/ANALYSIS- WILDLIFE

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Kanon Morris

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ITEM NO.

Delivery: 08/31/2024

Delivery Location Code: 0004276583

BLM-OR NORTHWEST OR (CASCADES)

1717 FABRY RD SE

SALEM OR 97306 US

00020 Marys Peak NSO FY24 Out Year

Product/Service Code: B534

Product/Service Description: SPECIAL

STUDIES/ANALYSIS- WILDLIFE

Delivery: 08/31/2024

Delivery Location Code: 0004276584

BLM-OR NORTHWEST OR (MARYS PEAK)

MARY'S PEAK RESOURCE AREA

1717 FABRY ROAD SE

SALEM OR 97306 US

00030 Tillamook NSO FY24 Out Year

Product/Service Code: B534

Product/Service Description: SPECIAL

STUDIES/ANALYSIS- WILDLIFE

Delivery: 08/31/2024

Delivery Location Code: 0004276585

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140L4323Q0168

BLM-OR NORTHWEST OREGON (TILLAMOOK

4610 THIRD ST

TILLAMOOK OR 97141 US

NSN 7540-01-152-8067 OPTIONAL FORM 336 (4-86)

Sponsored by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.110

NW OREGON NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL SURVEY 2024 SOLICITATION NO. 140L4323Q0168

Cascade, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Suislaw Field Offices Page 4 of 66

This requirement will result in one purchase order award for a Firm Fixed Price Commercial Services contract for Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) surveys in BLM Northwest Oregon District, Oregon. Locations include areas in Marion, Linn, Benton, Polk, Yamhill, Clackamas, Tillamook, and Washington Counties.

Price Schedule

Item no. Item Description Estimated Quantity Unit Price Total by item

0010 Activity Center Search 30 $ $

0020 Calling Station Visit 4463 $ $

0030 Walk-In surcharge 201 $ $ 0040 Day Follow-up Visits 30 $ $ 0050 Visit Form 720 $ $

Total $

Period of Performance:

December 1, 2023-September 30, 2024

Break down by Field Office Cascades Marys Peak Tillamook

0010 18 10 2 0020 2000 1014 1449 0030 90 33 78 0040 15 10 5 0050 350 140 230

(End of Price Schedule)

Cascade, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Suislaw Field Offices Page 5 of 66

Statement of Work – Specific to Northwest Oregon District See also, Parent Statement of Work for more specifics.

Information contained within this document (including attachments) alters some of the specifications contained within the original Solicitation/Contract. In some instances, the information below expands upon or replaces specifications within the Solicitation/Contract.

Narrative description of Work, Objectives, and Methods:

The Contractor shall conduct field surveys according to the 2012 revision of the “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that may Impact Northern Spotted Owls” (referred to as “2012 NSO Protocol”) (See attachments) and as described in the specific tasks by Bureau of Land Management

(BLM).

Work would occur, in survey areas located in the NW Oregon District, BLM and adjacent lands extending out up to 5 miles. The objectives include determining occupancy status, color band identification, nesting and reproductive status of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) (NSO). In addition, documenting detections of barred owls (Strix varia) and other owl species shall be required. Visit results, station summaries, and owl observation data shall be collected and entered into datasheets and a database provided by the BLM.

Where the contract provides for guidelines or standards more specific than, or contradictory to those contained in the “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that may impact Northern Spotted Owls,” revised January 2012, the terms of the contract must be followed.

General Location and Description of Survey Areas:

All survey areas contain lands managed by the Cascades, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Siuslaw Field Offices of the Northwest Oregon District BLM and adjacent non-BLM lands. Four vicinity maps are included as attachments. Most of the stations are located on existing roads, accessible by vehicle. Some of the stations will require walk-in on non-drivable roads, trails, or overland hiking. This includes the Table Rock Wilderness Area, a 5,800 acre roadless area. A map of the Table Rock Wilderness Area is included in the attachments. Much of the terrain is steep with dense vegetation and can be difficult to walk through.

Survey and Project Area boundaries will not be physically identified on the ground. Some boundaries will require interpretation of physical features on aerial photos and topographic maps. Maps of the Project Areas, Survey Areas and Calling Stations, with Global Positioning System (GPS) location data, will be provided by the BLM. BLM retains the option to provide maps and stations in PDF format for use in Avenza maps or similar application. BLM may also require information to be received in this way too. Some substitution of stations may occur as planning objectives or survey priorities change. Stations may be added, deleted, or their location modified by BLM based on habitat conditions, survey outcomes, or other reasons. The BLM does not guarantee vehicle accessible roads to all calling stations. Roads may not be reopened or maintained solely for the purpose of providing access for the Contractor. Surveyors may be required to access calling stations by walking.

Activity Center Searches, and Follow-Up Visits are not conducted solely from roads and typically require overland hiking. Much of the terrain is steep, covered with dense vegetation, and can be difficult to walk through.

Gates - Some work may occur behind locked gates. Locked gates shall remain locked at all times other than when the Contractor is passing through them. Access is granted only to complete tasks within the scope of the task order. Keys to BLM gate locks for access will be issued to the Contractor, through a DI-105 (Receipt for Property) at the BLM field offices. The Contractor shall return all gate keys to the respective

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BLM field office upon completion of field surveys. Final payment will be withheld until keys are returned.

Private Lands – Due to mixed land ownership, travel through private lands is typically needed to access BLM lands. As a result, access may be restricted by gates, access agreements, and notification requirements.

Private land owners may require any or all of the following: notification prior to crossing their lands, a gate key deposit, and/or an access agreement. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to gain and maintain access through private lands by following the terms of agreement, by following all public laws, and by maintaining a good working relationship with landowners.

The BLM will maintain the authority to restrict access across any road. Recommended and required road access information will be provided on BLM maps. Adjustments to survey routes can be suggested by contractor, subject to BLM approval.

It is the responsibility of the Contractor to determine and document local conditions affecting access to survey areas. Snow and adverse weather can affect access early in the season, while fire level closures may affect access during the later season. The contractor shall notify the BLM within 48 hours of finding a work area inaccessible.

Instructions that are more specific than Parent Contract:

Survey stations are categorized into two types: Monitoring (long term known owl sites) and Management (timber sales and other timber management actions). All projects designated as management have a 1.2-mile (Cascades) or 1.5 (Coast Range) buffer around the footprint of the management actions. That buffered area is called the Project Area and it will be depicted on survey maps. Survey calling stations are designed to cover all suitable habitat within that Project Area. Project Areas should be completed within 7 nights if possible. Within the Project Areas are smaller areas called Survey Routes (these will be depicted on maps). If the Survey Routes have 12 or less stations, the area (Survey Route) will be required to be completed in one night. Survey Routes with more than 12 stations will be allowed two or more consecutive nights of calling if needed. Safety issues or weather are the only factors deemed acceptable to vary the requirement of consecutive nights. The Contractor shall immediately contact the COR (within 24 hours) if the time frame requirements for any Survey Route cannot be completed as required. If the Contractor cannot fulfill the time frame requirements for a particular Survey Route, the surveys for that route will need to be started over at no cost to the BLM.

Project Area – survey requirements. Survey stations within Project Areas are Management stations. Due to large overlapping geographic areas with survey needs, some areas have been subdivided into manageable Project Areas based on habitat distribution, topography, and road networks. The Project Area may have up to 80 stations and all stations within the Project Area must be surveyed within 7 days.

Completion of the Project Area within 7 days is one complete visit and may require coordination between more than 1 surveyor.

Example:

Cascade, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Suislaw Field Offices Page 7 of 66

* Based on 2022 BLM calling effort, excludes new Project Area Crete Panther.

According to direction from US Fish &Wildlife Service, when broadcasting recordings of spotted owl calls, play the electronic tone for ARU survey/monitoring after each 10-minute series of NSO vocals used in call back surveys. Tone is located at the address below.

Name: Survey Identification Tone March 2021.

Format is .wav https://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/SurveyProtocol.asp

(End of Statement of Work)

Parent Statement of Work

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 Description of Work, Objectives, and Methods - The Contractor shall conduct field surveys according to the 2012 revision of the “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that may Impact Northern Spotted Owls” (referred to as “2012 Revised NSO Protocol”) (Attached ) and as supplemented, modified or described in the specific tasks by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The objectives include determining occupancy status, color band identification, nesting, and reproductive status of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) (referred to as NSO or STOC). In addition, documenting detections of barred owls (Strix varia) and other owl species shall be required. Visit results, station summaries, and owl observation data shall be collected and entered into datasheets.

1.1.1 Contractor understands and agrees that provisions in the contract that supplement, modify or contradict those in the “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that May Impact Northern Spotted Owls,” revised January 2012 (Protocol) are contract terms that Contractor must follow.

1.1.2 For work completed within areas where Port Orford Cedar (POC) root rot disease is present or could be present, the Contractor must wash their boots if traversing off-road, as well as their vehicle, including the underside, whenever leaving infected areas prior to entering uninfected POC watersheds. This would only be required during the wet season (generally prior to June 15.)

Project Area Night Survey Stations

Day Survey Stations

Calling nights for a single surveyor to complete the visit*

Badger 65 0 4-5 nights Block 4 54 3 4-5 nights Block 5 40 1 3-4 nights Block 6 35 0 2-3 nights Block 7A 33 0 2-3 nights Block 7B 68 2 4-5 nights Block 8 46 11 2-3 nights Block 9 12 0 1 night Crete Panther 53 (est.) 0 (est.) 3-4 nights (est.)

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fws.gov%2Foregonfwo%2FSpecies%2FData%2FNorthernSpottedOwl%2FSurveyProtocol.asp&data=04%7C01%7Caprice%40blm.gov%7C3bbe742e3d174dc65c9408d8de5bb50a%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C637503832761558165%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ViYjInQDpB8KqMJeD3GlA%2FELLYN6yYSlg4cOFACXEP0%3D&reserved=0

Cascade, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Suislaw Field Offices Page 8 of 66

Infected and uninfected POC watersheds will be identified during prework.

1.2 General Location and Description of Survey Areas

1.2.1 All work is located on the Coos Bay District. Surveys will be conducted in the following counties: Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties, OR. Detailed maps will be provided by the BLM at the pre-work conference. Most of the stations are located on existing roads, accessible by vehicle. Some of the stations will require walk-in on non-drivable roads, trails, or overland hiking.

1.2.2 Survey and Project Area boundaries will not be physically identified on the ground. Some boundaries will require interpretation of physical features on aerial photos and topographic maps that will be provided by the BLM at the pre-work meeting.

1.2.3 Maps of the Project Areas, Survey Areas and Calling Stations, with Global Positioning System (GPS) location data, will be provided by the BLM. BLM retains the option to provide maps and stations in PDF format for use in Avenza maps or similar application. BLM may also require information to be received in this way too. Some substitutions or elimination of stations may occur as planning objectives or survey priorities change. Stations may be added, deleted, or their location modified by BLM based on project changes, habitat conditions, survey outcomes, or other reasons. Any additional stations will be identified and agreed upon by Contractor Officer’s Representative (COR) and BLM and issued via contract modification.

1.2.4 Access- Most of the stations are located on existing roads accessible by vehicle. Some of the stations will require walk-in on non-drivable roads, trails, or overland hiking. Closed or bermed roads may not be reopened or maintained solely for the purpose of providing access for the Contractor. Surveyors may be required to access calling stations by walking.

1.2.5 Access to survey areas may be difficult or limited in the beginning of the season due to downed trees or snow in higher elevation areas. Early season reconnaissance is highly recommended to mitigate early season downfall. The Contractor shall notify the COR if access is restricted. The BLM will work with the Contractor to clear roads of downed trees. Notwithstanding Government attempts, the Contractor shall be ultimately responsible for gaining access to the survey sites designated.

1.2.6 Line Item “Walk-in Surcharge ” provides a method of compensation for calling station visits that require walk-ins over ½ mile. This also provides a method of compensation for additional miles due to unplanned restricted access. Walk-ins will be assigned and approved by the BLM. If station access changes, the Contractor shall notify the COR within 48 hours of discovering the change. The distance shall be agreed upon by government and contractor in writing before walk-in occurs.

1.2.7 Activity Center (AC) Searches, and Follow-Up Visits are not conducted solely from roads and typically require overland hiking for proper coverage. These daytime stand searches usually cover a half mile radius within the core area of a historic site for AC searches, or a half-mile radius within a response, and may not cover all suitable habitat within a home range. Much of the terrain is steep, covered with dense vegetation, and can be difficult to walk through.

1.2.8 Gates - Some work may occur behind locked gates. Locked gates shall always remain locked other than when the Contractor is passing through them. Access is granted only to complete tasks.

1.2.9 Keys to BLM gate locks for access will be issued to the Contractor, through a DI-105 (Receipt for Property) at the BLM field offices. The Contractor shall return all gate keys to the respective

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BLM field office upon completion of field surveys. Final payment will be withheld until keys are returned. Contractor will be charged $100.00 for each lost master key and $25 for each lost route key.

1.2.10 Private Lands – Due to mixed land ownership, travel through private lands is typically needed to access BLM lands. As a result, access may be restricted by gates, access agreements, and notification requirements. BLM will provide contractor copies of access agreements and a briefing of the terms at the pre-work meeting. Private landowners may require any or all of the following: notification prior to crossing their lands, a gate key deposit, and/or an access agreement. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to gain and maintain access through private lands by following the terms of agreement, by following all public laws, and by maintaining a good working relationship with landowners.

1.2.11 The BLM will maintain the authority to restrict access across any road. Recommended and required road access information will be provided on BLM maps. Adjustments to survey routes can be suggested by contractor, subject to BLM approval.

1.2.12 The NW Oregon District often experiences closures due to wildfire from July through September.

A Contractor may start in one area and be moved to another area should a closure occur. If an emergency shutdown occurs, resulting in the missing spotted owl survey protocol requirements, the Contractor shall immediately contact the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer Representative to determine the best course of action.

1.2.13 It is the responsibility of the Contractor to determine and document local conditions affecting access to survey areas. Snow, adverse weather, and downed trees can affect access early in the season, while fire level closures may affect access during the later season. The contractor shall notify the BLM within a week of work areas that are inaccessible to determine the best course of action and if it will affect payment

1.2.14 Work completed outside of the protocol season would require detailed information on why surveys were not completed to protocol and may not be biologically valid.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

2012 NSO Survey Protocol - Any and all references to the term “protocol” in this document are referring to the “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that may Impact Northern Spotted Owls” 2012 revision, available at:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

Activity Center (AC) Searches—A daytime stand search and calling within 0.5 mi of activity centers in historic NSO sites is to be completed for each known activity center in the survey area as a component of the 2012 NSO Protocol Survey. These daytime searches shall occur as the initial visit to the survey area and shall occur in late March or early April. Similar to Follow-up visits.

Contractor shall take at least 4 hours to perform an Activity Center Search unless adequate numbers are reached earlier.

Additional Owl Species – Owl species, other than NSO, STUN species, NSO-barred hybrid or barred owl, that respond during a NSO survey. A list of additional owl species is located in section C.5.6.1.1. Additional owl species detections shall be recorded in the appropriate section on the Spotted Owl Visit Form.

https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2012RevisedNSOprotocol.2.15.12.pdf

Cascade, Marys Peak, Tillamook and Suislaw Field Offices Page 10 of 66

Additional Visits (2012 NSO Survey Protocol, Sections. 5.6 and 7.0) –Visits (beyond 3- or 6-Visit annual total) conducted for the purposes of gathering more information on occupancy, nesting status, and /or reproductive success. Additional Visits are conducted using the same procedure as required for protocol Visits (e.g., night time spot calling from established stations).

Barred Owl Site Numbers (BSNO) – Barred owl detections are assigned to a unique BSNO hexagonal grid developed for the BLM corporate database.

Calling – Broadcasting vocalizations of northern spotted owls to elicit a response/detection from northern spotted owls using a digital player.

Calling Equipment – NSO recordings with both male and female owls endorsed by NSO protocol;

CS or MP3 player, or similar device, and a Wildlife game caller (similar to or better than Fox Pro caller Fx3 or Wildlife Technologies Mighty Atom MA21). Calling equipment provided by the Contractor for field use must be approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

Audio files can be downloaded from US Fishand Wildlife site: Northern Spotted Owl Surveys and Site Monitoring | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov) . In addition to NSO recordings, the artificial tone must be present at the end of the calling sequence. The tone can be downloaded at the same site and the file name is Mp3_artifical _tone_for_call_back_final012721.mp3

Calling Station – A discrete point from which calling occurs to elicit a response/detection from a NSO. A minimum of 10 minutes of calling is required at each calling station. (See exceptions specified in 2012 NSO Protocol).

Calling Station Visit – A single Visit to a calling station.

Complete Survey – The Survey Area has been surveyed according to protocol guidelines, including the required number, spacing, and methodology of Visits. This includes a combination of Activity Center Searches, Calling Station Visits, and any required Follow-Up Visits or Additional Visits.

See page 31 of the protocol.

Complete Visit—A single Visit is defined as a single day and/or nighttime visit to NSO survey sites to search for owls. A Complete Visit consists of one or more Visits to complete a Survey Area within 7 days. A complete Visit typically includes calling at all Calling Stations within a Survey Area, unless a NSO is detected (or other applicable situations). Contractors should attempt to complete a Survey Area in 1 Visit, but no more than 2 Visits. Exceptions to the maximum number of Visits in 7 days will be granted for larger Survey Areas. If weather conditions do not allow completion of a Survey Area in 7 days, the Survey will need to restart. Each Complete Visit to a Survey Area must be separated by at least 1 week. Complete Visits must be completed at a rate of at least 3 Visits before June 30; including 1 Visit each month in April, May, and June. Detailed explanation is available in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol (page 13).

Continuous Monitoring Surveys-Survey locations needing 3 complete visits by June 30, with at least one visit in April, one in May, and one in June.

Database – A relational database provided by BLM compatible with its operating systems (e.g.

Microsoft Access). The database may or may not be provided for use in a portable field input device.

Detection - An auditory or visual response indicating the presence of NSO or other owls that occurs at any point during the survey and associated travel times.

https://www.fws.gov/project/northern-spotted-owl-surveys-and-site-monitoring https://www.fws.gov/project/northern-spotted-owl-surveys-and-site-monitoring

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EPE – “Estimated Position Error” by which Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates is acquired and appears on a hand-held GPS unit.

GPS tracking device - a device (e. g. smart phone or dedicated GPS unit) using a satellite network to provide text messaging and GPS tracking.

Follow-Up Visit (equivalent to “Follow-Up Outing”, section 6.0 of USFWS survey protocol) – Walk-in road and hiking Visits conducted during the day following a NSO (and some STUN or NSO-barred hybrid owls) detection. Follow-Up Visits are conducted to determine occupancy, band status, nesting status, and/or reproductive success of NSO’s. Follow Up Visits shall be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours after the detection. The BLM may requires Follow Up Visits not be conducted in situations where survey results are already adequate for the year (e.g., occupancy, pair and band status has already been achieved for both members of an NSO pair at a site).

Initial Visit – The first of the 3 or 6 visits that the contractor makes to a known NSO site during the day.

Known Northern Spotted Owl Sites/Activity Centers –Areas of NSO activity that have been identified through previous survey efforts. Sites are given a Master Site Number (MSNO), associated with subsequent surveys.

Mousing – The purpose of mousing is to determine if spotted owls are nesting and reproducing. By offering one or more live mice to spotted owls, their nesting status can be determined based on the behavior of the adult spotted owl. Additionally, mousing can be used to determine NSO band status, pattern, and colors. Mousing procedures and NSO associated behaviors are described in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol. The BLM will provide additional information regarding the minimum number of mice and surveyor effort to establish nesting and reproductive success status.

Nesting or Reproductive Success Status Visit – A Visit to determine the nesting status or reproductive success of a known pair of northern spotted owls. Visits conducted to determine nesting status shall occur between April 15 to June 1. Reproductive success visits determine fledgling success and are completed between June 1 and July 15 (or later if deemed necessary by BLM). For the purposes of this contract, Visits conducted solely to determine nesting or reproductive success shall be considered as Follow-Up Visits (payment of work item AC). The BLM may request Nesting or Reproductive Success Visits not be conducted in situations where surveys have adequately determined these status outcomes at a site for the year.

NSO – Northern spotted owl, or spotted owl.

Other Services - Other services related to Northern Spotted Owl work and survey techniques. New survey techniques are evolving for this species (e.g. using song meters with call recognition software or dogs to detect spotted owls that may not repond using the 2012 protocol). Other services could also include improved field data collection, mapping, and recording techniques.

Prospective quoters have the option to describe one or more services to meet the objectives described in this solicitation and could be used to help BLM evaluate the respondent’s proposal. If the prospective quoters would like to submit a bid on Other Services, the quoter will provide a written explanation of services.

Project Area - An area equal to or smaller than a Survey Area defined by a known NSO site, planned project, or timber sale.

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Response - See definition of detection.

Species of Interest – These species are of interest to the Coos Bay District. Observations of these species shall be recorded in the comments section on the appropriate Spotted Owl Visit Form.

(Section 5.6.1.1).

STOC/NSO – Strix occidentalis caurina (Northern Spotted Owl) STUN – Strix Unknown (unknown Strix owl species) STVA – Strix Varia (Barred Owl) SBOH – Strix occidentalis caurina X Strix varia (Spotted X Barred Hybrid)

Survey Area – The area extending one provincial median annual home range radius from the perimeter of the project area (e.g., harvest units) or NSO site center (2012 NSO protocol Section 3.1). An area containing one or more Project Areas. All Calling Stations associated with a Survey Area must be completed within 7 calendar days. The BLM may grant exceptions to this requirement for unusually large Survey Areas.

Survey Season – The northern spotted owl survey season for the Western Oregon Cascades is March 15 through August 31. The NSO survey season for the Oregon Coast Province is March 1st through August 31st. The BLM will specify and authorize any needed surveys to occur after August 31st.

Target Species – Species which respond to Northern Spotted Owl calls and shall be recorded on Spotted Owl Visit Forms, Survey Area Detail Maps, and Survey Area Summary Forms (see Section J-3). These species include the NSO, Barred Owl, Spotted-Barred hybrids, STUN species. Barred Owl detections will not be followed up with daytime site Visits.

Temporary Site Number (TSNO) – Temporary site numbers that are assigned to BLM projects (e.g., timber sale units) and/or areas with past NSO detections that do not warrant permanent known site status.

Visit – A single day and/or nighttime outing recorded on the Spotted Owl Visit form.

Also see definition of Complete Visit

Walk-in - The BLM does not guarantee vehicle accessible roads to all calling stations. Surveyors may be required to access calling stations by walking. If there are multiple stations on the same walk-in route and it is over ½ mile, only one walk-in surcharge would be billed per visit. Walk-ins will be assigned by BLM at beginning of the survey season. Walk-in mileage needs to be agreed upon by government in writing before walk-in occurs.

3.0 CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED PROPERTY AND SERVICES

3.1 The Contractor shall furnish all labor, transportation, supervision, tools, and materials (except those designated as Government-furnished) and incidentals to perform all work necessary to conduct NSO surveys within the biological window.

3.2 The Contractor shall provide for each surveyor:

• Compass with correct declination set

• GPS tracking device (e.g. smart phone or GPS unit) capable of + 30 feet EPE, collecting time stamped waypoints and/or tracklogs.

• Chronometer (smart phone, wristwatch, or stopwatch)

• Binoculars

• Lighting; flashlight and/or headlamp and batteries with extra batteries.

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• Permanent Marker (i.e., Sharpie) to mark flagging in the field

• Flagging (Government furnished to Contractor)

• Survey Area Detail Maps

• Copies of the Spotted Owl Visit Forms (see Section J)

• Calling Equipment: NSO recordings with both male and female owls endorsed by NSO protocol and ending in a tone playback; CD or MP3 player, or similar device, and a Wildlife game caller (similar to or better than FoxPro caller Fx3 or Wildlife Technologies Mighty Atom MA21).

Calling equipment provided by the Contractor for field use must be approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

• Live mice for mousing northern spotted owls

• A 4x4 or all-wheel drive capable vehicle.

3.3 Contractor’s Key Personnel - Key personnel are those personnel (Project Leader, Crew Leaders and Owl Surveyors) considered essential to successful Contractor performance. All key personnel shall have completed formal training, with an educational background and experience with emphasis on Northern Spotted Owl survey techniques or similar work. Note that minimum requirements under this contract is above that described in Appendix 4 of the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol.

Both Crew Leaders and Owl Surveyors must have the physical ability to work in mountainous terrain and willingness to work during nighttime conditions. In some cases, Crews Leaders and Surveyors may be asked to conduct both day and nighttime work. Orienting skills, including the use of map and compass is essential. Surveyor safety should be of primary importance.

3.3.1 Project Leader – Is responsible for the performance of survey crew.

3.3.2 Minimum requirements: A bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology or related field, such as wildlife ecology or zoology with three years/seasons of NSO survey experience; utilizing the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol. This experience must include calling, identifying owl detection by species, sex, and age class (when possible), and call type, mousing, follow-up surveys, survey techniques in relation to NSO behavior, data collection and use of GPS technology.

3.3.3 Crew Leader - Supervises survey crew and data collection, including quality control of data collection. Provides the most current/updated maps of the work area. Writes survey results, evaluates the data, and is ultimately responsible for the performance of the survey crew.

Minimum requirements: A bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology or related field, such as wildlife ecology or zoology with two years/seasons of NSO survey experience; utilizing the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol. This experience must include calling, identifying owl detection by species, sex, and age class (when possible), and call type, mousing, follow-up surveys, survey techniques in relation to NSO behavior, data collection and use of GPS technology. Additionally, the crew supervisor must be capable of hearing within the normal range (0-20Db).

3.3.4 Owl Surveyors - Conducts owl surveys and collects data.

Minimum requirements: Trained in survey techniques required to implement the 2012 NSO protocol and at least one field season of spotted owl survey experience, Preferably working closely with other biologists in conducting successful spotted owl surveys.

These techniques include, but are not limited to, calling, identifying owl detection by species, sex and age class (when possible), and call type, mousing, conducting follow-up surveys, data collection, and use of GPS technology.

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3.4 Replacing Key Personnel - Key personnel are considered essential to successful contractor performance.

3.4.1 The Contractor shall immediately notify the COR when key personnel are unavailable for work under this contract for a continuous period exceeding 5 field survey days. If requested by BLM, the Contractor shall immediately replace such personnel with personnel of equal qualifications once accepted by the CO.

3.4.2 The Contractor will designate a Crew Supervisor prior to implementation of the contract. This Crew Supervisor, if authorized, may act on behalf of the Contractor in communications with the COR or designated PI(s), Project Inspector (PI), or BLM Biologist and will be responsible for inspecting and approving all documentation submitted to the BLM.

3.5 The Contractor shall be liable for all loss or damage of Government-furnished property as determined upon completion and final acceptance of work required under this contract. Contact the COR at the Coos Bay BLM District Office, 1300 Airport Lane, North Bend, OR 97459 during regular business hours (7:45 - 4:30, Monday through Friday) to request Government-furnished items listed.

3.5.1 Work Plan Schedule – The Contractor shall provide the number of employees available for the contract, a preliminary work schedule which includes the production rate to meet the delivery schedule of the contract. The plan shall include a contingency plan for maintaining field work production to include maintaining qualified survey staff.

3.5.2 Quality Control Plan - The Contractor shall provide a quality control plan for the project at the pre-work meeting to include:

• Contractor self-inspection of field crew survey protocol compliance

• Inspection documentation

• Technical assistance available to field crews

• GPS or survey data management

• Plan for problems/rework

3.5.3 Safety Plan – The Contractor shall have a safety plan at the pre-work meeting to include:

• Radio contact for field crews

• Distribution of updated aerial photos and maps to the field crews

• Written safety procedures plan for crew safety, check-in/check-out procedures, and emergency procedures.

4.0 GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED ITEMS

4.1 The BLM shall furnish the following items:

1. Maps to perform the contract (e.g., District road maps, Survey Area Detail Maps, variable scale). The maps may be provided in digital or hard paper format (PDF and/or Shapefile).

2. Original and digital copy of the Spotted Owl Visit Form.

3. Station database in Excel format. Station points may also be made available in digital format

(GPX file) suitable for upload to most GPS devices.

4. Keys for BLM gates, on a check-out basis.

5. Flagging to mark call stations and nest trees.

6. Contact lists (for example of private landowners to request access permission, if necessary;

adjacent survey personnel; law enforcement; etc.)

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7. Camping authorizations for BLM lands only.

8. Other government property or service the COR may deem necessary to provide for safety or efficiency.

4.2 All Government furnished items will remain property of the Government. Any un-used items to complete the contract shall be returned to the Government.

5.0 SPECIFIC TASKS: Unless otherwise specified, the timing, methods and spacing of all work shall be done in compliance with techniques detailed in 2012 NSO Survey Protocol “Protocol for Surveying Proposed Management Activities that May Impact Northern Spotted Owls”, and additional requirements specified by the BLM, including techniques to achieve BLM corporate data standards.

On occasion, the government may use survey methods that deviate from the 2012 NSO protocol.

For instance, the COR may request only three (3) visits versus six (6) visits needed for monitoring in particular units. Visits to a particular survey area may be determined to be discontinued by the COR with concurrence with the CO, if a site is determined to be occupied or if the survey area falls outside of the scope of the project.

All Calling Stations associated with a Survey Area must be completed within 7 calendar days. The BLM may grant exceptions to this requirement for unusually large Survey Areas with COR approval.

All Follow-Up Visits, Calling Station Visits, and mousing procedures shall be documented on Spotted Owl Visit Forms and Survey Area Detailed Maps. The Detailed Maps shall include documentation of areas searched and all detections of NSO, barred, NSO-barred hybrids, and STUN species.

5.1 SEASON AND TIMING OF WORK

5.1.1 Surveys will be accomplished during the period March 1, 2024 through August 31, 2024. The timing and sequence of work will be authorized by the COR at the pre-work conference. Certain Survey Areas or portions of Survey Areas may be designated by the COR as higher priority.

The BLM will specify and authorize any needed surveys to occur after August 31. If additional visits cannot be completed prior to the end of the survey season (while still maintaining intervals required between visits), they may be conducted as soon as necessary to stay within the normal survey season, or up to as late as September 30.

The general timing of work is as follows:

The Coos Bay District currently implements two survey types when surveying for Northern spotted owl: Full Protocol (6 visit) surveys, and Continuous Monitoring (3 visit) surveys in accordance with the USFWS.

On survey routes where 6 survey visits are required, visits must be completed with at least 1 visit in April, 1 visit in May, and 1 visit in June by June 30; and at least 3 visits between July and August by August 31. In areas of Continuous Monitoring surveys, three complete visits must be accomplished before June 30; including 1 visit each in April, May, and June.

The Contractor shall conduct a daytime Activity Center Search as part of the initial visit to areas requiring these daytime stand searches and shall occur in late March or early April.

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If additional visits are required and cannot be completed by protocol deadlines, they may be conducted as soon as necessary to stay within the normal survey season, or up to as late as September 15, 2023, while maintaining standards (timing, temporal spacing of visits, weather condition limitations, etc.) as specified in the Northern Spotted Owl Survey Protocol..

Contractor shall conduct 3-6 Complete Visits to each Survey Area by either June 30 or August 31, depending on the number of visits needed to each survey area. A fewer or greater number of visits will be based on COR approval and 2012 NSO Protocol and BLM database needs.

Survey Areas must be completed within 7 days. Contractor will make all reasonable attempts to complete a Survey Area on 1 (preferably) or 2 Visits/Days. Exceptions to the maximum amount of Visits within 7 days will be granted by the government for larger Survey Areas. If weather conditions do not allow completion of a Survey Area in 7 days, the Survey will need to restart.

Each Complete Visit to a Survey Area must be separated by at least 1 week. Complete Visits must be completed at a rate of at least 3 Visits before June 30; including 1 Visit each month in April, May, and June.

5.1.2 The survey season is described in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol and Section 5.1. Contractors may be required to attend an inter-party coordination meeting set up by the BLM and will maintain coordination with the BLM COR throughout the survey season.

5.1.3 The Contractor shall be responsible for scheduling of all surveys to ensure they meet the required timing and methods requirements. Surveys may be conducted during the day if there are no roads or foot trails to traverse at night, or other safety concerns. Day surveys of areas unsuitable for night calling shall be conducted during the late afternoon or evening just before sunset.

5.1.4 Required nesting, reproductive success visits, and optional day time stand searches will count as Follow-up Visits for payment.

5.1.5 Surveys shall not be conducted during inclement weather conditions such as moderate to high winds (>15 mph), moderate to heavy rain or snow, or high noise levels (e.g., stream noise, machinery) which would prevent the surveyor from detecting owls. Where weather changed during a visit and a complete visit becomes impossible, the contractor shall discontinue surveys and notify the COR who will work with the CO to decide how to readdress the survey and contracting need.

5.2 FIELD PROCEDURES THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY MORE THAN ONE ITEM:

5.2.1 Color Band Identification:

During mousing or luring (using vocal cues or artificial prey lure) northern spotted owls, the surveyor shall observe to see if any color leg bands can be detected. Band color, pattern, tab, and leg (left or right) shall be recorded on the Spotted Owl Visit Form.

5.2.2 Nest Tree Marking:

When a NSO nest is found, the tree shall be clearly flagged. The location of the tree shall be accurately mapped with a GPS and recorded on Survey Area Detail Map. GPS locations of NSO nest trees shall be collected with a GPS unit capable of + 30 feet or better (EPE).

5.2.3 Owl Capturing:

Capturing, handling, and banding northern spotted owls is not authorized for any work completed under this contract.

5.2.4 Mousing: Mousing will also be used to locate nests (and brooding female owls) by inducing the male

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5.3 ACTIVITY CENTER SEARCHES: As described in the NSO Survey Protocol and 2.0 Definitions.

BLM will determine where Activity Center Searches will occur (i.e., not all known sites will require Activity Center Searches). Soft whistles and squeaks are recommended when conducting AC searches, however if playback is used to try to elicit a response, it should be done at half-volume, or at a volume that would not carry beyond the area being searched.

5.3.1 The government will provide maps of historic activity centers to be covered by the Activity Center Search and habitat to survey within 0.5 mile of the activity center to the Contractor prior to survey initiation at prework. Surveyors shall be prepared to locate and mouse any NSO or Unknown Strix detected during this survey.

5.3.2 Surveyors will complete the Activity Center (AC) Search following the methods in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol. Surveys shall be documented on Spotted Owl Visit Forms and Survey Area Detail Maps, denoting locations of stations called, owl detections (location owl heard from and estimated location of owl) and walking routes surveyed. AC searches are considered part of the initial visit to an historic NSO survey site and should be avoided during the heat of the day when birds are less likely to respond.

5.4 CALLING STATION VISITS:

A Complete Visit typically includes calling at all Calling Stations within a Survey Area, unless a NSO is detected (or other applicable situations). Contractors should attempt to complete a Survey Visit in 1, but no more than 2, visits to NSO survey areas.

Each Complete Visit to a Survey Area must be separated by at least 1 week. Complete Visits must be completed at a rate of at least 3 Visits before June 30; including 1 Visit each month in April, May, and June. Detailed explanation is available in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol.

Visits are predominately conducted at night from pre-designated Calling Stations as described in the Night Time Spot Calling and Spotted Owl Calling Procedures sections of the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol. Unlike the protocol, leapfrog surveys are not allowed under this contract, all sites must be visited in order. Calling Stations covered by the Activity Center Search walkthrough do not need to be called to protocol during the initial (first) visit because stations within the search area are covered during the walkthrough. After the first visit, all Calling Stations shall be called according to the 2012 NSO Protocol. All other stations, including walk-ins on roads or those including overland hiking, shall be called for a minimum of 10 minutes according to the 2012 NSO Protocol.

5.4.1 Visits will be applied to full 6-Visit survey method as described in the 2012 NSO Survey Protocol, or a 3-Visit Continuous Monitoring method as agreed upon by the USFWS. The type of survey required for each Calling Station will be identified by the COR.

5.4.2 The COR will provide Calling Stations associated with each Survey Area by March 1st of the survey year. The Contractor is responsible for locating the Calling Stations using provided maps. Calling Stations will be flagged by the Contractor with BLM furnished red/white dot wildlife flagging for delineating station visits and will place new flagging (12” long-strip) at each station for each visit (i.e up to 6 pieces of flagging for survey areas needing 6 visits). The Station ID, survey date, surveyor initials, and visit number shall be written by contractor in Sharpie on each piece of placed

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5.4.3 If flagging becomes damaged or lost, it shall be replaced by the contractor at the time it is noticed.

When new flagging is required, the COR…