SOW 2021 BFO RH AIM_Revised 8-26-20.docx

Statement of Work for Watershed Rangeland Health Assessments

Statement of Work for 2021 Watershed Rangeland Health Assessments Wyoming High Plains District - Buffalo Field Office

BLM Buffalo Field Office

1.0 INTRODUCTION/OVERVIEW

1.1 BACKGROUND

The BFO manages around 490 grazing allotments and 430 grazing leases. The BFO’s grazing allotments fall into three management categories: “custodial” category, “maintain” category, and “improve” category allotments. The BLM is mandated to complete Rangeland Health Assessments on all grazing allotments in order to ensure conformance of the grazing lease terms and conditions with the provisions of 43 CFR 4180 Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Standards and Guidelines for Grazing Administration.

Grazing leases in the BFO are commonly approved for a term of 10 years; therefore, approximately 43 leases authorizing grazing on a total of 49 allotments must be renewed each year to keep up with lease expirations and ensure conformance with 43 CFR 4180. In order to assess each allotment, monitoring data must be collected to ascertain the status of the rangeland and help determine whether the lands are meeting the Standards and Guidelines for Grazing Administration.

The BFO plans to implement the Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy and the Habitat Assessment Framework (HAF) Protocol to complete conformance reviews for allotments on a watershed scale. The information collected will be used in grazing administration, habitat assessment framework monitoring and various other vegetation management planning.

1.2 SCOPE

The contractor will be responsible for completing 52 Rangeland Health Assessments and 2.8 miles of Proper Function and Condition (PFC) assessments on 38 allotments in the Buffalo Field Office. Approximately half of the allotments are south of Interstate 90 between Buffalo and Gillette, Wyoming, along the Powder River, and the other half are north and east of Gillette, Wyoming. The allotments are in the Pumpkin Creek and Dead Horse Creek Watersheds and Little Powder and Missouri River Watersheds (see attached map). A complete description of the tasks and deliverables will be further explained below. Approximately 73,500 acres of BLM-administered land will be assessed.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

The objective of the project is to complete 52 rangeland health assessments and 2.8 miles of Proper Function and Condition (PFC) assessments in order to allow BFO range staff to keep up with grazing lease renewals. In order to complete a lease renewal, rangeland health assessments must be completed first to ensure conformance with the provision of 43 CFR 4180 Fundamentals of Rangeland Health and Standards and Guidelines for Grazing administration. The Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy will be used for data collection and interpretation.

2.0 REQUIREMENTS

2.1 TASKS

Terrestrial Monitoring

1. From 52 predetermined points established by the BFO, find access routes to each point. Notify private landowners/grazing lessees when you will be conducting the assessment to gain access across private land if needed. A letter will be sent out to the allotments grazing lessee by the BLM prior to field season.

2. Transects will be monumented using a BLM supplied monument marker.

3. If sites fall within the established criteria for point rejection (see attached rejection criteria worksheet), contractor will work with BLM to establish a new point. The BLM will complete office review of sites prior to the contractor receiving the points.

4. The 52 sites are split into high priority sites and low priority sites. 28 of the sites are considered high priority while the remaining 24 sites are low priority sites. Below are the data that will be required to be collected at the sites:

a. Collect the following information at each site with an Interdisciplinary Team of 3 using the methods described in the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I and II and Technical References 6710-1and 1734-6:

i. High Priority Sites: Each site will consist of spoke transect design consisting of three 25m transects.

1. Complete the plot characterization and observation data sheet. This includes digging a soil pit and taking photos of the plot/soil pit. Ecological Site verification will also be required.

2. Complete the species richness data sheet.

3. Complete the line-point intercept (LPI) data sheet measuring bare ground, litter, gravel, stone, vegetative canopy cover, and basal cover. 150 points total will be collected (50 per line). *Note: Anytime a sagebrush species is hit, height and shape of that plant will be collected.

4. Complete vegetation height and sagebrush shape data form. 30 total points will be collected (10 per line). *Note: 3 heights will be collect at each interval; tallest herbaceous, lower herbaceous (forb), woody.

5. Complete the canopy gap intercept data sheet along each transect.

6. Complete the soil stability test data sheet for surface soil on 18 random points along the 3 transects.

7. Collect vegetative forage production data by clipping three 4.8 square foot hoops within plot and provide the oven dry weight for forage production on lbs/acre.

8. Complete the 17 Indicators of Rangeland Health evaluation sheet.

ii. Low Priority Sites: Each site will consist of two 25m transects at the 0 and 120 degree azimuths, unless these are not representative of the plot, in which case 240 degrees or an alternative may be used.

1. Complete the plot characterization and observation data sheet. This includes digging a soil pit and taking photos of the plot/soil pit. Photos will be taken along each transect and the 240 degree azimuth, for a total of 3 photos of the plot. Ecological Site verification will also be required.

2. Complete the species richness data sheet in a 30 m radius from plot center.

3. Complete the line point intercept data sheet measuring bare ground, litter, gravel, stone, vegetative canopy cover, and basal cover. 50 points will be collected along each transect for a total of 100 points in the plot. *Note: Anytime a sagebrush species is hit, height and shape of that plant will be collected.

4. Complete vegetation height and sagebrush shape data form. 10 total points will be collected. *Note: 3 heights will be collected at each interval; tallest herbaceous, lower herbaceous (forb), woody.

5. Complete the canopy gap intercept data sheet along each transect.

6. Complete the soil stability test data sheet for surface soil on 6 random points along each transect.

7. Collect vegetative forage production data by clipping three 4.8 square foot hoops within plot and provide the oven dry weight for forage production on lbs/acre.

8. Complete the 17 Indicators of Rangeland Health evaluation sheet

b. All data will be placed in the BFO-BLM’s database (Database for Inventory, Monitoring & Assessment (DIMA)).

c. Provide digital photos and photos printed double sided with 2 photos (5” x 7”) per page.

d. Complete Data Summary Forms for each plot using the DIMA database which includes the following indictors summaries (Provide both digitally and hard copy):

Soil Aggregate Stability, LPI Comprehensive Report, Forage Production Summary, Species Richness, Rangeland Health Qualitative Assessment, and Canopy Gap Report.

Riparian Monitoring

1. Complete Proper Function and Condition (PFC) on 2.8 miles of perennial and intermittent stream within the allotments on BLM lands using the following manuals: Proper Functioning Condition Assessment for Lotic Areas (Technical Reference 1737-15 Second Addition). (Pictures and attached field forms must be submitted for each reach within each allotment.)

Mapping

1. Access routes and site locations will be mapped and shapefiles, digital georeferenced PDF maps, and hard copies will be provided to the BLM. Maps must have surface ownership depicted.

Reporting

1. As BLM-BFO prepares rangeland health report, be available to assist with the completion of a Summary and Conformance review of the allotments assessed. The summary will include a site description including climate, topography, soils, vegetation, ecological site, grazing, water resources, and wildlife. The conformance review will determine whether each allotment is meeting rangeland health standards per the Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management for Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the State of Wyoming. The BLM will be the lead author of the document but the contractor must be available to answer any question concerning their data to ensure accurate representation of the data in the rangeland health report.

2.2 SPECIFICATIONS

1. Planning for the field work will begin no later than September 30, 2020. A pre-work meeting with the BLM will occur in September 2020.

2. Field work shall start no earlier than May 15, 2021 and shall be completed no later than July 31, 2021. Final data sheets, digital photos, updated Database, GPS points, and calibration data sheets will be provided to the BLM no later than August 15, 2021.

3. Every 2 weeks or every 10 plots (whichever is first) completed data in the DIMA database will be submitted to BLM for review.

4. Collect data on BLM chosen transect locations within the 38 allotments provided, as per the provided methods. The methods provided in the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I and II and Technical References 6710-1and 1734-6 lay out specification of plot layout, photo points, etc.

5. Photographic Equipment: Digital camera: 8 megapixel or better and photos must have GPS coordinates embedded in photo. iPhone 5 or newer is allowed.

6. Photo Identification: Digital photos will be identified by use watermark imprint on photo displaying SiteID_SiteName_PlotID_Description_YYYYMMDD.

7. Photos: One photo will need to be taken looking directly down each transect, and with transect line within the photo. For low priority plots, in addition to the 0 degree photo, photos will be taken showing the 120 and 240 degree bearing.

8. Data Management Plan: Each assessment plot will be given a permanent plot identifier that is unique to that plot. The plot will be identified by the allotment number (SiteID) and name (SiteName), and pasture name (if applicable) then by RH or LUP# (PlotID) (i.e. SiteID_SiteName_PlotID (02222_RightCreek_HorsePastureRH01)).

All plot photos will be named using the following naming convention:

ProjectName__SiteID_SiteName_PlotID_Description_YYYYMMDD

Descriptions should be labeled as follows:

Example: BuffaloFO_02222_RightCreek_HorsePastureRH01_T1_20140721

Data collectors and project leads will follow the QA/QC plans defined in the most up to date Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I and II and the AIM_data management protocol. Data collection activities will be checked when needed to ensure accurate and quality data are collected.

Once calibration and training is complete, and all metadata reviewed, the data collectors will collect the field data planned for the season. Following data collection, field forms will be reviewed for completeness and any errors will be addressed. All data collected will be stored in a Database for Inventory, Monitoring & Assessment (DIMA) database.

The field data collectors and data entry personnel will ensure data completeness and that the data entered into DIMA are error checked. The data entry personnel will note on the field form the date on which the data were entered into the database and the day there were error checked. Field forms when used will be backed up by scanning and saving them into the applicable file folder. The folder names for each site and its associated plots will be as follows:

Main Folder: SiteID_SiteName Sub Folder: PlotID Once data are entered into the DIMA database, the GPS locations of the assessment plots will be updated on the GIS layer for the plots. The plots will be noted as completed in the layer and will include the date monitoring was completed.

2.3 SCHEDULE

Once Contract is awarded September 30, 2020 – May 15, 2021 Planning process begins.

May 15 – July 31, 2021 Collect the field information listed in 2.1

August 15, 2021 Submit final data sheets, digital photos, updated Database, GPS points, shape files, and calibration data sheets.

September 29, 2021 Complete the tasks listed under reporting

3.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Any information including GIS data needed to complete the project will be furnished upon request. Access to sites will vary from public access to access across private land to get to the sites. Some sites will need to be accessed either by a 4-wheel drive vehicle or on foot. Contact with private landowner will occur prior to access by the contractor. The contractor is expected to contact the private landowner with the assistance of the BLM. Monument markers will be supplied by the BLM.

4.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor shall provide a minimum of three (3) personnel that would be present to work on each transect in the field, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and other items. Equipment may include but is not limited to: 4-wheel drive (4X4) vehicle for transportation, 8 megapixel or better digital camera with geo-reference capabilities. Contractor is responsible for all other incidentals necessary to complete the monitoring studies.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS, AND NOTICES TO OFFERORS

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL CONTENTS

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF KEY PERSONNEL: Offerors shall submit a one-page resume of all key personnel proposed for this contract. For this contract, the following positions have been determined as key personnel: a minimum of 3 personnel that would be present to work on each transect in the field.

Qualification and Experience Requirements At a minimum the field crew must have one soil specialist and one vegetation specialist for upland monitoring and 1 hydrologist for riparian monitoring.

The Soil Specialist must have one of the following:

· 1 year of professional experience where classifying soils was a major part of their job,

· 15 semester hours of education from an accredited university in subjects such as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.

· Any of the 4 certifications from the Soil Science Society of America.

The Vegetation Specialist must have one of the following:

· 1 year of professional experience where plant identification was a major part of their job.

· 15 semester hours of education from an accredited university in plant and soil sciences, including at least one course in each of these two scientific areas, i.e., plant and soil sciences. Courses in such areas as plant taxonomy, plant physiology, plant ecology, and soil morphology or soil classification are acceptable subjects.

The Hydrologist must have one of the following:

· 1 year of professional experience where riparian assessments were a major part of their job.

· 15 semester hours of education from an accredited university from courses in hydrology, the physical sciences, geophysics, chemistry, engineering science, soils, mathematics, aquatic biology, atmospheric science, meteorology, geology, oceanography, or the management or conservation of water resources.

The field crews must have at least two members that have attended a formal AIM monitoring methods training, two members that have attended an Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health training, and two members that have attended PFC training.

PAST PERFORMANCE: Offerors shall submit a list of clients for past and present similar projects covering the past three (3) years. Provide: contact name, address, phone number, e-mail address. The Government may survey these clients to obtain past performance information (quality, timeliness, cost control, business relationships) related to Offerors current and past work.

QUALITY CONTROL PLAN: Offerors shall submit their Quality Control Plan showing how they intend to meet Government performance standards for each task and subtask associated with this contract. It is required at a minimum that they use the protocol as described in Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I. This document also explains some BLM-recommended quality assurance and quality control processes.

At a minimum, calibration in accordance with the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems, Volume I for LPI, Canopy Gap, and Vegetation Height will be required for each Buffalo Field Office Biophysical Setting (BPS) Group. There are 3 BPS groups on BLM lands in the Little Powder/Missouri watersheds. Field data will not be collected until crew variance is below 10%. The calibration sheet is attached.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

TECHNICAL EVALUATION FACTORS

Listed in descending order:

Experience and Training of key personnel. (20 Points) Past performance (20 Points) Quality Control Plan (10 Points) Price (50 Points)

ORDER OF IMPORTANCE

Technical factors, when combined, are considered:

|_| Significantly more important than price |X| Approximately equal to price |_| Significantly less important than price image1.png