SOW for LCT MOG and GMU-RIT facilitation final.doc

REQUEST FOR STATEMENTS OF INTEREST, AVAILABILITY,

QUALIFICATIONS, AND COST QUOTATIONS

PROJECT TITLE

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Conservation Facilitation

LOCATION

Range of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Northern Nevada, southeast Oregon, Sierra Mountain Range of California)

PROJECT BACKGROUND

LCT was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in 1970 and subsequently reclassified as threatened in 1975, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, to facilitate management and allow regulated angling. Critical habitat for the species has not been designated. LCT is native to lakes and streams throughout the physiographic Lahontan Basin of northern Nevada, eastern California, and southern Oregon. Prior to this century, 11 lacustrine populations occupied about 334,000 acres of lakes. An estimated 400–600 fluvial populations inhabited more than 3,600 miles of streams. LCT currently exists in approximately 155 streams and five lakes in Nevada, California, Oregon, and Utah. These habitats are grouped into three major basins, or Geographic Management Units (GMUs): Western Lahontan Basin, Northwestern Lahontan Basin, and Eastern Lahontan Basin.

A recovery plan for LCT was approved in January 1995. The objective of the LCT Recovery Plan is to recover LCT so it can be removed from the ESA List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plants. In addition, two short-term action plans for LCT for the Walker and Truckee/Tahoe Basins were completed in 2003. State LCT fisheries management plans were also approved as follows: California in 1986; Oregon in 1993; and Nevada in 1983, 1988, and 1999.

A LCT Management Oversight Group (MOG) was established with the overall mission to attain interagency and tribal cooperation for achieving recovery of LCT throughout its range and the removal of LCT from the ESA List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife and Plants. The MOG is comprised of representatives from each cooperating agency and tribal government involved in the conservation of LCT or its habitat.

Three Recovery Implementation Teams (RIT) for the Western Lahontan Basin were also established to refine recovery strategies and actions specific to the geographic area of responsibility consistent with the overarching strategies for achieving recovery as described in the LCT Status Assessment. The Western Lahontan Basin teams consist of: the Walker RIT; Truckee RIT; and Tahoe Basin RIT. There are also two functionally-similar GMU Teams covering the Eastern Lahontan Basin and Northwestern Lahontan Basin. Together, these teams are each responsible for implementation of respective parts of the LCT Recovery Plan, and developing and monitoring the Recovery Implementation Plans, and State and Tribal LCT Species Management Plans. The teams provide a forum for exchange of information, research, and recovery strategies to ensure persistence of the species.

ANTICIPATED SCOPE OF WORK

The LCT MOG is seeking the services of a senior third-party neutral to provide facilitation services to the MOG and RIT/GMUs for 2 years (2017 – 2019). The MOG has outlined their expectations for facilitation support:

The LCT MOG and the Designated Federal Official… are interested in securing the services of a facilitator who knows the region and the associated land and resource management issues. Someone who will:

· Conduct an initial project assessment including review of key documents and interviews (up to 8) with key participants of the MOG/ GMUs/RITs to determine key issues, goals, barriers, and improvements needed in the project.

· Arrange MOG/GMU/RIT meetings (logistics, sending out agendas, etc.). This includes reaching out to members ahead of meetings to increase attendance and participation

· keep meetings on track,

· assist in keeping all members involved,

· Facilitate meetings to ensure open discussion and that all issues/needs are heard and addressed professionally ,

· remain impartial,

· follow organizational guidelines as set forth by the MOG,

· Be assertive when needed and also able to stand back when the group wants to handle the discussions on their own,

· Ensure best available science is incorporated into group discussion and decision making, and

· Take notes and distribute them to members for review and finalization

· Lead the group discussions through more complex issues and provide for effective problem solving.

· Address tough issues when they arise and channel it into creative discussion

GOALS

The MOG would like the facilitator to assist in achievement of the following goals:

· Work with the LCT MOG to develop and updated “vision” of recovery for LCT;

· Work with the LCT MOG to develop updated LCT recovery goals and objectives consistent with that “vision” of recovery

· Work with MOG and RIT/GMU members during and in-between meeting to develop products that all parties are willing to support;

· Work with RIT/GMUs to develop or update Short Term Action Plans; and

· Ensure best available science is incorporated into group discussion and decision making

TASKS

The following tasks are anticipated for this scope of work:

· Participate in an initial organizational meeting with LCT MOG and RIT/GMUs members as appropriate to determine goals, schedule, materials prep, etc.

· Conduct an initial project assessment including review of key documents and interviews (up to 8) with key participants of the MOG/ GMUs/RITs to determine key issues, goals, barriers, and improvements needed in the project.

· Organize, facilitate, and document up to eight MOG meetings and up to eight GMU/RIT meetings with preparation meetings with agency staff in between. Meetings are anticipated to be one-day meetings (or ½ day) located mostly in Reno, Nevada, but also in Elko, NV, Winnemucca, NV, the Lake Tahoe region of California, or other regional locations throughout the range of LCT.

· Organize and facilitate meeting preparation conference calls (1 per meeting).

· Assist in preparation, facilitation, and documentation of 1-4 meetings with agency staff per month (average 2-4 meeting days total + preparation).

· Work with the LCT MOG and GMU/RITs to design meeting agendas.

· Assist with logistics associated with each meeting, including location and venue.

· Prepare and distribute meeting notes to all participants.

· Provide ongoing assistance with communication among LCT MOG and RIT/GMU members.

TIME FRAME

The project is proposed to take place from February 2017 through February 2019. The meeting dates are not yet defined.

ESTIMATED BILLABLE EXPENSES

Hourly rates, estimated total hours, and direct project-related travel costs should be included in proposals. Travel outside of Reno to Elko, NV, Winnemucca, NV, the Lake Tahoe region of California or other regional locations throughout the range of LCT is anticipated once every 2-3 months.

The LCT MOG will negotiate a Firm Fixed Price contract with the selected facilitator.

CONTRACT

The successful candidate will perform the requested services under contract to and in partnership with the Federal Government (Specific Agency to be determined before release of the SOW).

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should have substantial experience and expertise in successfully designing, facilitating, and documenting multi-party dialogues or forums related to public lands and resource management issues. Candidates should have senior level experience at least equivalent to the minimum entry criteria required for the U.S. Institute’s National Roster of Environmental Dispute Resolution and Consensus Building Professionals. Experience using structured decision making tools is desired.

SPECIFIC SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the provision of all requested information and the degree to which candidates meet the following criteria, in comparison with the qualifications of other candidates submitting proposals:

a) Base of operations in Nevada, Northern California, Southern Oregon or Southern Idaho.

b) Demonstrated knowledge of the region and the associated land and resource management issues.

c) Experience designing, facilitating, and documenting multi-party dialogues as a neutral third-party, particularly those related to public lands and resource management.

d) Have a familiarity with native fish conservation and/or stream or lake systems (preferred)

e) Familiarity working with public agencies and/or public resource managers (USFWS, USFS, BLM, USACE, BOR, Tribes, CDFW, NDOW, ODFW, other.)

f) Available to assist in preparation, facilitation, and documentation of 1-4 meetings with agency staff per month (average 2-4 meeting days total + preparation).

g) Familiarity with major environmental policies that affect LCT conservation including include ESA, Recovery Planning, NEPA, CEQA, etc. (preferred).

h) Availability to begin the project immediately upon award of the contract and to participate in any currently scheduled meetings. Ability and willingness to make this project one of your priority commitments from February 2017 through February 2019.

i) Total cost and hours of professional service to be provided to complete the proposed Scope of Work.

j) Overall quality of submission and interview (if selected for interview).

k) Past performance on other natural resource conservation projects.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Candidates should include the following information in their submissions:

1) A statement of qualifications, addressing each of the specific selection criteria listed above,

2) A description of up to 3 projects previously conducted and their outcomes that are especially relevant to the requirements for this project.

3) A brief description of anticipated approach to accomplishing the proposed tasks detailed above.

4) A statement of availability to work on this project between February 2017 and February 2019 specified in available hours per month for this project. List any known specific dates during this time period that are not available.

5) A description of any constraints, limitations, or potential or perceived conflicts of interests that may be relevant to this project.

6) A proposed budget for all activities, including stated hourly rates and an estimated distribution of hours required to complete the proposed tasks. Cost estimates should include project-related travel and any other direct costs to be charged to the project.

NOTE: Proposals that fail to specifically address each item listed above will be competitively disadvantaged. Total submission package should total no more than five (5) pages. Brevity and succinctness are highly valued, and submissions longer than five pages will be competitively disadvantaged. Please do not submit any additional supplemental materials. All information submitted should be considered non-confidential, including cost information.

PROCESS FOR SELECTING CANDIDATE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will work with the LCT MOG to evaluate all submissions, interview final candidates, and make the selection. Selection will be made according to the specific selection criteria identified above and completeness in providing the requested information.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

To be considered, submissions must be received by 12:00 pm (PST) on January 31st.

Please email proposals to:

Lee Ann Carranza lee_carranza@fws.gov U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1340 Financial Boulevard, Suite 234 Reno, NV 89502 Phone: 775-861-6300 Electronic submissions via email are suggested. Due to the unpredictable nature of SPAM filters, we suggest calling Lee Ann to verify receipt of submission.

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Conservation Facilitation