SOW CESU 18-08 MGT SPECIES GOPHER FROG ARNOLD AFB_FINAL.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

MGT, SPECIES, GOPHER FROG (ANZY187094) AT ARNOLD AFB

CESU 18-08

Projects for execution under this Cooperative Agreement (CA) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) do not include any functions to be performed that are inherently governmental. This determination is made with the assessment that places emphasis on the degree to which conditions and facts restrict the discretionary authority, decision-making responsibility, or accountability of Government officials using Non-Federal Entity (NFE) services or work products.

This CA shall not be used for performance of personal services. These tasks provided by the customer for execution under this CA by USACE do not include functions to be performed that are personal services.

Any modifications to Cooperative Agreement activities as outlined by this SOW must be channeled through the Grants Officer’s Technical Representative (GOTR) and Grants Officer (GO) prior to NFE implementation.

NFE personnel shall also wear a distinctive NFE furnished security (ID) badge/lanyard readily identifying the individual as a NFE employee. The badge shall be worn in a conspicuous place at all times when performing work under the Cooperative Agreement including attendance at Government meetings and conferences that take place outside of the Government facility.

NFE personnel shall identify themselves as an NFE employee when answering or placing calls on a Government telephone and when leaving outgoing or incoming messages on voice mail.

Use of acronyms in this identification is insufficient to meet this requirement.

All NFE email signatures shall identify them as such and will include their employer’s name.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 18 months from the date of award.

GOVERNMENT POCS:

1. USACE Omaha District POC: Ms. Sarah Miller PM, (402) 995-2625, sarah.j.miller2@usace.army.mil

2. USACE Omaha District POC: Ms. Kali Evans, GOTR, (402) 995-2295, kali.l.evans@usace.army.mil

3. USACE Omaha District POC: Ms. Stephanie Rostermundt, Grants Officer, (402) 995- 2083, stephanie.a.rostermundt@usace.army.mil

Substantial Involvement: The Government will be substantially involved during the mailto:sarah.j.miller2@usace.army.mil mailto:kali.l.evans@usace.army.mil mailto:stephanie.a.rostermundt@usace.army.mil performance of the activity. The recipient can expect substantial agency collaboration, participation, or intervention in project performance. Substantial involvement shall include the following;

a. Review and approval by USACE project management of the draft report prior to start of final report.

b. USACE project management will perform site visits 1-2 times during the field season. During the site visits, USACE will closely monitor or provide operational involvement to the NFE.

c. Exercising the authority, if necessary, to immediately halt work because of a NFEs failure to meet performance specifications.

1.0 BACKGROUND

The gopher frog (Lithobates capito) has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and is classified as a “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” in the Tennessee State Wildlife Action Plan developed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The occurrence of a small isolated population of gopher frogs at Arnold Air Force Base (AFB) was inferred from the collection of a single specimen on 12 July 1993. The nearest known population (Shelby Co.

Alabama) is located more than 100 kilometers (km) south of Arnold AFB and is itself isolated from coastal populations by more than 100 km. Despite intensive searches, a second specimen, a gravid female, was not forthcoming until almost four years later (1 March 1997). The collection of this latter specimen, found less than 1 km from the first specimen, rekindled interest in the distribution of the gopher frog and prompted an even more intensive and deliberate three-year survey (1998 – 2000) for breeding sites. The distribution of the gopher frog was investigated by night-time and automated aural surveys of calling males, daytime searches for egg masses, tadpole surveys, and establishment or maintenance of pit fall or funnel traps associated with drift fences. No evidence of gopher frog breeding activity was found by any of these survey methods, suggesting that if gopher frogs are extant at AAFB, then they are exceedingly rare, exceptionally secretive or breed in an a yet undiscovered or under-surveyed wetland.

The sampling technique of environmental DNA (eDNA) has gained acceptance with biologists and resource managers as a means to identify the occurrence of aquatic species based on the presence of their DNA in a water sample. The eDNA technique involves field collection of samples and extraction of DNA and screening of DNA extracts for target species. This method has been used to successfully detect gopher frogs in the Southeast at several locations including Fort Benning, Georgia. The importance of this project has been elevated due to 1) the fact that the two known occurrences are in vicinity of the proposed Arnold AFB runway extension and 2) due to nomenclature changes, we are unsure which species occurs on AAFB and it is possible it is the species protected under the ESA.

2.0 TASKS

2.1 The NFE shall conduct the eDNA analysis of 20 wetlands (see attached map) during the season in order to determine the distribution of gopher frogs at Arnold AFB. The NFE shall take water samples within two weeks following significant rain events from selected wetlands on a monthly basis (weather permitting) during the possible breeding season. Three or more water samples of at least 250 mL will be collected at each wetland, determined by size and complexity of the wetland. Quantitative polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) will be used to screen eDNA from each site for gopher frog presence. Established sequences/markers for gopher frogs should be utilized if possible, but new ones may need to be determined since species present is not assured. All protocol for collecting, processing, and amplification should be industry standard for detecting rare herpetofauna in the Southeastern United States.

2.2 The NFE shall investigate the only two gopher frog specimens collected at Arnold AFB, which are housed at Middle Tennessee State University herpetological collection. If possible, extract DNA and determine species of gopher frog using industry standards. Extraction may not be possible due to quality and age of specimens.

NFE to supply all personnel, supplies, equipment, materials, etc necessary to complete tasks and submit deliverables.

3.0 DELIVERABLES

The NFE shall provide the following deliverables to the USACE GOTR, GO, and AF Natural Resources Manager POC;

A. Study Plan (Draft and Final): The draft and final study plan shall include the following sections: Introduction; Method, including survey protocols, GIS mapping procedures, and data collection; and schedule for project implementation.

The Draft Study plan shall be due to the 14 days after award. The NFE shall incorporate all government comments and resubmit a Final Study Plan within 14 days of comments being received. If no comments are received, the Draft Study Plan will be considered final.

B. Progress Reports: The NFE shall provide meeting minutes from monthly phone updates within one week post call. The NFE shall prepare SF-PPR quarterly progress reports to include a summary of progress and results in all phases of the project, including any anticipated schedule alterations and a summary of resources consumed.

C. Final Report (Draft and Final): The NFE shall prepare a draft and final report summarizing their findings. The Draft Report shall be due 30 days before the end of the period of performance. The Final Report shall be submitted the last week of the period of performance. The final report shall be prepared in electronic and two hard copies, including but not limited to the following;

• Introduction describing the basis for the project and overall study approach

• Methods section including data collection procedures, maps and descriptions of the study areas, survey methods, and data analysis techniques

• Results section providing details of the study including data analysis, summary and interpretation of the data

• Discussion section interpreting the study findings

• Management Recommendations section

• Recommendations for Future Study section detailing potential projects

D. Electronic data delivered in a format coordinated early in the project with AAFB GIS staff to ensure integration into AAFB’s GIS. All geographic data will be provided for entry into the AAFB GIS database. Format will be in SDSFIE 3.1 or determined in consultation with AAFB GIS specialist. All electronic data will be delivered with the Final Report.

At a minimum ALL reports shall include (2CFR 200.328):

(i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the Federal award established for the period. Where the accomplishments of the Federal award can be quantified, a computation of the cost (for example, related to units of accomplishment) may be required if that information will be useful. Where performance trend data and analysis would be informative to the Federal awarding agency program, the Federal awarding agency should include this as a performance reporting requirement.

(ii) The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.

(iii) Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs.