Statement_of_Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

Task Title: Establish and Conduct In-Depth Demographic and Habitat Surveys on the Upper

Ward Valley Long-term Study Plot for Desert Tortoises, San Bernardino County, California.

Period of Performance:

Estimated Effective Date: March 15, 2024 Estimated Completion Date: September 1, 2024

1.0 Background

In 1989 and 1990, the desert tortoise was listed as a threatened species by the State of California and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, respectively. The U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, is continuing research on long-term study plots in California, specifically assessments of distribution, demographic and health attributes of desert tortoise populations at the Upper Ward Valley plot in eastern San Bernardino County. Previous and related work was carried out in 2001.

During spring of 2024, fieldwork shall be conducted on an ~ 1.0 square mile study plot called Upper Ward Valley in eastern San Bernardino County, California. For the survey of tortoises, approximately 62 person days of effort shall be expended in conducting demographic, health, and disease surveys. Additional field days shall be required to set up the plot (place PVC pipe over pre-existing rebar stakes for about one square mile), and for gathering data on selected ecological and anthropogenic factors. Office time shall be required for a potential pre-work conference, compilation of data sheets, preparation of maps and tables, and preparation of data files. Additional time shall be allocated for gathering data on selected ecological factors and anthropogenic impacts on the plot.

Population parameters include, but are not limited to distribution, size-age class structure, sex ratios, recent deaths, preliminary data amounts of shell-skeletal remains, and on known or potential causes of death. Health parameters include clinical signs of illness and health.

The site is on land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and is accessible by dirt road south of I-40. During the last survey, ~50 tortoises were found on the plot.

2.0 Objectives

The purpose of this task order is multifold. First, when and where tortoises are located above ground or removed from cover sites, the Contractor shall gather standard demographic and health data on physical distribution, size-age classes, shell-wear classes, clinical signs of health and trauma, sex ratios, shell-skeletal remains, and causes of death as described herein. Standardized techniques, developed over the last 40 years, shall be used, as well as new methodologies described in brief herein. Second, tortoises with shell lesions, disease, and/or trauma that may qualify for salvage shall be identified. Shell-skeletal remains shall be collected and processed according to a protocol, with digital photographs taken. Third, some databases from the 2024 field data shall be prepared.

3.0 Tasks for the Contractor

3.1 Skill sets required

3.1.1 This Contract requires a highly skilled desert tortoise expert holding permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for this specific survey to handle and process desert tortoises and a comparable Memorandum of Understanding from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Handling and processing desert tortoises, for the purpose of this contract includes, but is not limited to: taking metric measurements of all sizes of tortoises; notching the shell in a system previously established for the plot; placing small numbers on the right 4th costal scute following a protocol described herein; evaluating health, disease, and trauma on a 7-page health form; and taking close up digital images of the eyes, nares, beak, carapace, plastron, and other body parts as specified below. The demonstrated ability from previous experience to coax the tortoise out of its burrow or shelter and its shell to take digital images of beak, nares, and each eye is essential.

3.1.2 The forms required for this demographic plot are considerably more complex than those used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for translocation projects or line-distance sampling, because this is part of a long-term research project, and as such, must be repeated as previously undertaken to maintain validity. Specifically, the Contractor shall have experience in successfully filling out the multi-page health profile form and the form for noting evidence of anthropogenic effects. In addition, the Contractor shall have the skills required to identify shell-skeletal remains and fragments, collect them according to protocols, identify evidence of previous markings, and potential causes of death.

3.1.3 The Contractor shall have an established record of rapidly and successfully locating desert tortoises and their sign.

3.1.4 The Contractor shall have demonstrated proficiency in filling out data sheets/forms for desert tortoise surveys on long-term plots; have a record of filling out forms at the time of the survey, on the survey day and hour, when a tortoise is found; etc. No crib notes or small notebooks shall be used to record crib notes. The scientific data is to be recorded at the time of observation, not hours or days later.

3.1.5 The Contractor shall have expertise in photographing and processing critical characteristics of shell-skeletal remains of tortoises for time since death and cause of death..

3.1.6 The Contractor’s previous experience with conducting field work successfully and producing high quality data sheets on long-term plots in California first established in the 1970s and 1980 shall be a consideration.

3.1.7 The Contractor’s ability to recognize and identify trees, shrubs, and non-native plants to the species level is important and shall be a consideration.

3.1.8 The use of the plot, the contract, and time for training individuals is not acceptable.

3.1.9 The Contractor shall have a demonstrated record of being on time, following field schedules, and ensuring that high quality products are delivered on schedule.

3.1.10 Ability to recognize, describe, and photograph lesions typical of cutaneous dyskeratosis indicative of a serious metabolic disease in desert tortoises and present at this site.

3.1.11 Ability to distinguish between lesions caused by trauma from those caused by disease.

3.2 Task 1: Pre-Work Conference and Subsequent Work Conferences

Pre-Work Conference. Immediately following approval of the task order (on or about March 1), and prior to initiating field work, a pre-work conference shall be held between the contractor and the Principal Investigator (PI)/Technical Liaison to the Contracting Officer, U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Western Ecological Research Center (WERC).

The purpose of the conference is to familiarize the contractor with tasks and the study area.

A pre-work conference shall be held by phone conference, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom. The date and time of the meeting shall be determined by the PI, in consultation with the Contractor and field staff. Subsequent conferences shall be teleconferences and designed to address requirements of tasks and specific responsibilities of each party. Discussions relative to all task requirements and specific responsibilities of each party shall be covered during these times. The Contractor shall ensure that any and all persons responsible for coordinating task order work and the actual field work on desert tortoises, evaluation of health and disease, collection and photography of shell skeletal remains, human impacts, and mapping are present at one or both conferences, depending on their roles. A third work conference may be held at the end of the field season and after delivery of draft products, probably after July 20, and only if essential to correcting and revising contract products.

3.3 Surveying the Study Plot for Desert Tortoises in Late Winter and Spring, 2024

3.3.1 Schedule for Surveying the Plot. No limitations exist on access to the plot.

The ideal time to complete coverage of the plot is between March 20 and May 31, when the tortoises are most likely to be above ground and active.

3.3.2 Coverage of the Plot. The plot shall receive a minimum total of 114 person days of coverage in searching for desert tortoises and shell-skeletal remains. A person day is defined as a minimum of 8 hours under good field conditions (no snow, no days starting in late morning or afternoon). The plot shall be surveyed completely twice, with each complete coverage taking approximately 57 person days. The plot shall be covered entirely once, between March 20 and April 30, before the second coverage is initiated. The plot was previously established and has rebar at the corner or each of the quadrats for a full 1.0 square mile. Quadrats are spaced at 0.10-mile intervals, and there are 180 or 190 marked quadrats. Each and every quadrat shall be evenly covered to ensure that all tortoises that can possibly be found, including hatchlings and juveniles, are located.

3.3.3 Numbers of fieldworkers, a critical issue. The minimum number of calendar days for the entire plot for tortoise surveys is 45 calendar days of coverage, with an emphasis in April; this pattern is more desirable in drought years with an emphasis on early spring. However, 2024 is anticipated to be an El Nino year, meaning that ample rain is highly likely to be available in winter to stimulate growth of tortoise forage. Thus, >45 person days is highly likely to be more successful. The surveys can be accomplished with a total of 2 persons conducting all surveys or 2 to 3 people, but no more than 3. Large numbers of individuals are unacceptable, especially when working in teams to cover the plot in a few days. Any person handling or hunting tortoises shall be on required federal and state permits before beginning such work.

3.3.4. Recording the Data on Coverage of the Study Plot . Notes shall be recorded in the Journal format and in a special table provided by the government about coverage for each quadrat on the following subjects: time of day covered (PST), weather conditions (temperatures, wind, precipitation), and whether tortoises were found in cover sites or above ground). For each quadrat, the terms "good," "fair," and "poor" shall be used to assign a qualitative rating to the coverage and the fieldworker(s)’ abilities to find tortoises under weather and lighting conditions occurring on the day of the survey. A clear notation shall be shown on the date, time, and quadrat numbers when second coverage of the plot quadrats is initiated.

These data, as well as the search effort required by tortoise surveys, shall be summarized in tabular form and be presented in the final report.

3.4 Carrying out the field work: Handling the Tortoise, a State- and Federally-listed Species: Preventing Spread of Disease.

3.4.1 Special precautions shall be taken to prevent the potential spread of upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) and other potentially contagious diseases, as well as ticks. Each tortoise encountered shall be handled with a fresh pair of disposable gloves. Immediately after use, each pair of disposable gloves shall be placed in a large plastic trash bag designated for that purpose and not mixed with field equipment. Each item of equipment touching the tortoise (including poles used to probe tortoise or other animal burrows) shall be sterilized with a dilute solution of bleach specified by the PI. IMPORTANT: no other disinfecting solutions shall be used. The equipment shall be sterilized before it is replaced in a carrying case or is used on another tortoise or burrow. These measures should reduce opportunities for spread of disease among tortoises on each study plot. Precautions shall also be taken to ensure that the tortoise does not touch or rest on the legs, trousers, etc. of fieldworkers, and that another tortoise does not subsequently touch the same area.

To prevent such contamination, fieldworkers shall use fresh, unused small pieces of disposable paper or plastic sheeting on his/her legs for each tortoise and shall place such objects in the large plastic trash bag after use.

3.4.2 Additional Sterile Procedures to Protect Tortoise Populations. To prevent spread of disease between locations and from one tortoise population to another, field personnel shall not travel directly from study plot elsewhere in the geographic range to Upper Ward Valley without bathing and changing clothes and disinfecting shoes. The rationale is that no tortoise population within the Mojave and Colorado deserts can be expected to be free of infectious URTD and herpesvirus and many are not.

If research veterinarians and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel recommend additional protective measures, the government shall provide the measures to the field staff and shall require them to be implemented. As of November 2023, there is no evidence that the diseases affecting tortoise populations can be transferred to human beings. However, publications exist detailing how diseases carried by tortoise ticks can be and have been transmitted to fieldworkers.

3.5 Carrying out the fieldwork: Finding and Collecting Data on the Live Tortoises.

The fieldworkers shall locate as many tortoises as possible within the available time frames at the study plot. The fieldworkers shall have the capability to easily locate and quickly process tortoises. Data shall be recorded for every tortoise encountered and for each encounter on the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet. It is very important that a large sample of tortoises be found and each quadrat be thoroughly searched.

3.5.1 Registering the Previously Marked Tortoises. Many tortoises were marked

(notched) and have a number covered in clear epoxy on the 4th right costal scute during previous plot assessments using standardized marking techniques. The government shall provide the Contractor with data on previously-marked tortoises.

Notches and other markings on tortoises shall be remade to ensure future readability.

3.5.2 Registering new, unmarked tortoises. Tortoises shall be permanently marked on the shell using the notching system described in 11.0. For each study plot, the tortoises shall be numbered consecutively beginning with the latest unassigned number, except for small juveniles. Juveniles shall be notched on anterior and posterior marginal scutes only, not on the bridge scales. Therefore, appropriate numbers shall be selected and saved for juveniles. The fieldworkers shall be provided a list of the previously assigned numbers for the plot, as well as a list of available numbers.

3.5.3. If the fieldworker encounters a previously-marked tortoise off the plot, they shall fill out a data sheet for this tortoise and follow through with all the procedures for an on-plot tortoises, including, but not limited to filling out a Desert Tortoise Data Sheet, a Health Profile Data Sheet (see 11.0, provided by the government) and taking digital photographs. The contractor shall make a special note that the marked tortoise was found off the plot. All captures for off-plot tortoises shall be placed in a separate file labeled "off-plot" tortoises.

3.5.4 The Problem Tortoises. Examples of potential problem tortoises include but are not limited to: two tortoises with the same number, tortoises with more or less than the normal 11 marginal scutes on each side of the carapace; tortoises with numbers and notches that must be changed, due to previous errors. When the fieldworker encounters a problem tortoise, or if the fieldworker handles a new "problem" tortoise, the data sheets for these tortoises shall be separated from other such data sheets in a separate folder, identified as "Live Desert Tortoises:

Problems." The Government shall provide the Contractor with a list of known “problem tortoises.”

3.5.5 Marking the Tortoises -- All tortoises. All live tortoises shall be marked with their individually assigned numbers on the fourth right costal scute in the following way. First, the number shall be written in permanent black ink on a small piece of white paper ~4 mm x 8 mm, placed on the part of the scute least likely to experience wear, covered with clear epoxy, and allowed to dry. In some cases, the number will not be legible or will have chipped off or otherwise be partially removed. In such cases, the identification number shall be replaced as described.

If the right 4th costal scut is chipping and laminae are peeling normally or due to trauma or disease, then the left 4th costal scute shall be used.

If the contractor errs and creates a double-numbered tortoise, then the contractor shall immediately contact the PI, and a plan shall be devised for re-numbering. If a fieldworker belatedly discovers that he/she has misnumbered a tortoise, he/she or the team leader shall seek out this tortoise and correct the numbering. This is very important.

3.5.6 Numbering System for Tortoises. See 11.0, provided by the government.

3.5.7 Filling out the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet. The contractor shall place information about the identification, measurements, sex, behavior, location (Township, Range, Section, quadrat, meters and directions from the pole in SW corner of quadrat), UTMs and other subjects shown on the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet (see 11.0, provided by the government). NOTE: All encounters, not just the first encounter, shall be recorded on a fresh data sheet. All spaces must be completed on the first capture and subsequent captures, unless stated otherwise below.

3.5.7.1 Abnormalities of the shell, especially those abnormalities or injuries that affect notches and the numbering system, shall be noted using the diagram shown on the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet.

All tortoises with more or less than 11 marginal scutes on each side of the carapace shall be identified on the drawing and by special notations next to the drawing. Likewise, anomalies shall be drawn clearly on the diagram for the first capture and on subsequent captures, if the situation changes Anomalies include but are not liited to: a twisted gular; missing or abnormally shaped nuchal; and supernumerary costal, vertebral, and marginal scutes.

The locations of suspected previous notches and any previous or current markings shall be shown on the diagram.

3.5.7.2 The fieldworker shall carefully fill out spaces on the data sheet noting whether the tortoise was observed during the first or second plot coverages, during incidental observations, or otherwise was found off the plot, etc.

3.5.7.3 Measurements of all tortoises. All tortoises shall be weighed, and all measurements taken on first encounters of the year. Measurements shall be taken of the carapace length at the midline, plastron length from notch to notch, and weight using calipers BUT NOT TREE CALIPERS (see 11.0, data sheet provided by the government). On subsequent encounters during spring, carapace lengths and weights shall be taken only after two weeks from the most recent encounter, unless there is a special reason to do it more often (tortoise appears ill).

3.5.7.4 Sexing Tortoises Equal or Greater than 180 mm in Carapace Length at the Midline. Each tortoise shall be identified as to sex using tail length, chin glands, characteristics of the plastron and gular horn, etc. If a question exists about the sex, the fieldworker shall describe the characteristics that are present on the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet and shall take additional close-up photographs. Fieldworkers shall not leave the space for sexual identity blank on the data sheet.

3.5.7.5 General Notes for Each Tortoise. In addition to the above, notes shall be taken for each tortoise (whether new or previously marked). These field notes shall indicate the date, time (PST), any nesting behavior, any foods or soil consumed, any intra- or interspecific interactions, and obvious recent attacks by predators. The location of the tortoise with respect to its cover site is an important topic. The type of cover site shall be noted, as well as the location and proximity of the tortoise to the cover site. Notes on these and other topics will be recorded also on the Data Sheet for Live Desert Tortoises (11.0, form provided by the government), if space is sufficient. If space is insufficient, the contractor shall prepare a second data sheet for the tortoise. NO NOTES SHALL BE WRITTEN ON THE

BACKSIDE OF FORMS.

Before approaching each tortoise, the contractor shall briefly observe from a distance to determine if the tortoise is walking normally and/or eating. If the tortoise is eating, the contractor shall observe the tortoise for a few minutes to determine items being consumed. Fieldworkers shall take notes on food items to the species level. If the fieldworker cannot identify the food item to species, a specimen shall be collected and pressed. This specimen shall be delivered to the PI for identification prior to completion of the task order. The PI shall provide the identification and the contractor shall enter the data into the field notes.

3.5.7.6 Hatchling, Juvenile, and Immature Tortoises. When hatchling or juvenile (<140 mm carapace length) tortoises are encountered, fieldworkers shall take more detailed notes on locations, behavior, and feeding habits.

3.8. Digital Images (Color) for Tortoise Identification and Status of Health and Disease.

Before any action is taken to disturb the shell surface and any potential ectoparasites, the fieldworker shall look for ticks on the shell, skin, head, limbs (including nares), and all over the tortoise. If any are found, then the number, size, and location on the tortoise shall be recorded on the Health Profile Data sheet. The location(s) on the shell shall be drawn on the figure.

Before photographing the tortoise, the fieldworker shall first clean off the shell and limbs of the tortoise, using toothbrushes of varying hardness, to ensure removal of encrusted dirt and debris. If the tortoise is heavily encased in dried mud, then the tortoise might need to be "rinsed" with water from a canteen or water bottle.

AFTER the tortoise is dry, the fieldworker shall take digital images of the beak/nares, right and left eyes, carapace, plastron, the left and right 4th costal scutes, forelimbs and hindfoot pads of each tortoise. More detail is provided below on images of the head, eyes, and nares. All body parts shall fill the field of view of each image. A special camera lens or lenses for taking close-up images shall be required. Few iphones are of the quality to take such photographs needed for this project. The fieldworker shall place a small sticker (not a scrap of paper) on the edge of the tortoise before each digital image is taken. The sticker shall show the date taken, identification number of tortoise, and name of plot in permanent, black ink, and be clearly legible. The sticker shall not block valuable information about scute shapes, anomalies, disease or trauma etc. and must be placed on the edge of the tortoise. The digital images of carapace and plastron shall be taken after the tortoise is notched or has been re-notched.

The digital images shall be of a quality such that: (1) for the carapace, the seams shall be clear and visible between most costal and vertebral scutes, and growth rings and areolae, if present, shall be clearly visible; (2) for the plastron, the seam along the midline of the tortoise shall be clearly visible, as shall the seams between gular and humeral scutes, humeral and pleural scutes, and so on to the posterior of the tortoise; (3) for the plastron, growth rings and areolae, if present, shall be clearly visible; (4) for the costal scute, growth rings and areolae should be clearly visible and easily delineated, if present; and (5) special images of the bridge (right and left) shall be necessary if anomalies, injuries, or lesions of any type exist. Remaining body parts shall similarly be clear. Digital images shall have normal color and exposures shall be neither too dark nor too light. To ensure that digital images are of high quality, field personnel will retake images on subsequent recaptures.

If the tortoise has unusual anomalies or injuries, e.g., is missing a limb, the anomalies or injuries shall be photographed, using a close-up lens where necessary.

If the tortoise has mold or lesions on the shell, the fieldworker shall photograph those lesions, with a close-up lens where necessary.

For all tortoises, close-up digital images shall be taken of the right side and periocular area of the face and eye, left eye and periocular area (left side of face), and a frontal view of the nares and beak. If the tortoise has wet and draining eyes, encrusted eyes, draining or wet chin glands, swollen eyes, occluded nostrils, etc., then additional pictures shall be taken. Similar images shall be taken of tortoises with ticks and other ectoparasites (close-up images). These images can often be best taken prior to the time the tortoise is handled. If the tortoise will not extend its head, then gentle and persist efforts shall be made to encourage views of nares and eyes. This requirement is very important; thus careful approach to the tortoise when it is active and above ground can allow for these kinds of photographs.

The quality of the images (greater or equal to 300 dpi) is critical for accurate identification of the tortoise; assessing status of lesions and trauma; describing the presence or absence or degree of shell disease; and assigning shell wear/aging.

Therefore, images must be of high quality, must not be over- or under-exposed, and the subject of consideration must fill the frame of view. Images shall not be taken at a distance from the tortoise. Therefore, the fieldworker shall use flash units at any time when light conditions are not optimal, e.g., early in morning, late in the day, etc.

If images are over- or under exposed, then the tortoise must be re-photographed on a subsequent recapture or specially located and re-photographed.

Each image shall be labeled with tortoise identification number, sex, date taken, name of fieldworker (initial for first name, spell out last name), Upper Ward Valley & Wash (UTMS) and state. A separate file shall be established for the images of each tortoise and labelled with the tortoise’s identification number.

3.9 Protocols for Live Tortoises Recaptured within the 2024 Field Season. The protocols for recording data on live tortoises previously captured during 2024 are the same as described above with the following exceptions.

3.9.1 If the tortoise is recaptured within two weeks of the previous capture, and if all measurements of size and weight were taken on the previous capture, then the tortoise does not need to be weighed or measured again until a full two-week interval has passed.

3.9.2 If the drawing of abnormalities, notches, chips and chews on the previous capture for 2024 is identical to the existing situation, then a new drawing does not need to be prepared. If, however, the status of the tortoise has changed, the portion of the Data Sheet for Live Desert Tortoises dealing with the illustration of the carapace and plastron must be re-drawn. For tortoises with extensive lesions or trauma, new illustrations should be made after intervals of one month or more and new photographs taken.

3.10. Coding the Desert Tortoise Data Sheets for Marked, Dead Tortoises. All remains of dead tortoises or parts of remains with notches or marks showing that the tortoise was marked in previous surveys shall be assigned a capture type 5 (dead, previously marked tortoise). A Data Sheet for Live Desert Tortoises (11.0, data sheet provided by the government) shall be filled out for each of these marked, dead tortoises. The data sheets shall be placed in a separate folder labeled Marked, Dead Tortoises (Captype 5). The data sheets shall be filed in order by the tortoise identification number, if that can be determined.

3.11. Tortoises Found Off the Plot. The fieldworker shall walk the boundary for a

“boundary search” on the edges of the Section/plot for a distance of 100 yards from the boundary. The search is for marked live and dead tortoises only. Data Sheets for Live Desert Tortoise shall be filled out, placed in a separate file, and arranged in numerical order by tortoise identification number for all marked live desert tortoises found outside the plot boundaries. A special notation shall be made on the Data Sheets to indicate that the tortoise was found outside plot boundaries. These data sheets shall be filed in a folder labeled "Live Desert Tortoises (Off Plot)."

3.12 Carrying out the field work: Assessing Health of the Tortoise, Filling out the Health Profile Form for Live Tortoises, and Salvaging Ill and Dying Tortoises from the Field.

3.12.1 For each encounter of each live tortoise, the contractor shall carefully examine the tortoise and fill out a special form describing clinical signs of health of the tortoise (form to be provided by the government). The form shall be filled out in the field, while the fieldworker is examining the tortoise. It cannot be filled out later using "cuff" or other notes. All portions of the form shall be filled out for each encounter. The plastron, limbs, and head of the tortoise should be examined, at least those parts if the limbs and head that are visible and extending from the shell.

3.12.2. The form includes, but is not limited to, such critical subjects as: the presence or absence of a nasal discharge; the color and opacity of the discharge;

whether the nares are occluded; exudation or moisture from chin glands; whether eyes are sunken and wet, crusted, or covered in part with a plaque or lesion; whether the tortoise is listless and relatively inactive; whether caked dirt is on or near the nostrils or on the forelegs; presence of signs of shell disease; etc. Signs of trauma, injuries and disease to the shell, limbs, or head shall be drawn on the diagram of the form.

3.12.3 The location of ectoparasites shall be drawn onto the form. They shall be photographed. The time estimated to fill out this form for an experienced fieldworker is 5 -10 minutes.

3.12.4 The following are exceptions to the above instructions about filling out the form. If a tortoise is recaptured within the same day of a previous capture, when both the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet and Health Profile Form were filled out, then a second Health Profile Form does not need to be filled out unless a change in the health of the tortoise exists, e.g., nasal drainage.

3.12.5 Salvaging ill and dying tortoises. A protocol has been developed for identifying ill and dying, and recently dead tortoises. Before taking action, the fieldworker shall call the USFWS and PI. Salvage cannot occur without permission of the USFWS and they will determine the disposition of the tortoise. The following are examples of clinical signs of disease that may warrant salvage: a purulent discharge from the nares (white, cloudy, yellow, or green discharge, etc.);

emaciated, cachectic; lethargic, lack of responsiveness; moderate to severe shell lesions, especially when accompanied by exposure of bone or loss of both scute and bone; exposure of bone or underlying tissue from shell lesions, even if shell lesions appear to cover only a small part of the shell (< 10%).

3.12.6 The data sheets shall be filed in order by identification number in a file labeled Health Profile Forms for Live Desert Tortoises.

3.13 Carrying out the field work: Dead Tortoises, Shell-skeletal Remains. The protocol for treatment of remains follows a prescribed sequence: location, photography, and collection. The fieldworkers shall find all shells or parts thereof, including single pieces on the plot and quadrats. All shell-skeletal remains shall be collected.

3.13.1 Photographing Dead Tortoises and Shell-Skeletal Remains. After discovering remains or parts of remains, the fieldworkers shall carefully look in the vicinity for signs of the potential cause(s) of death, e.g., trail or tracks of vehicles, human footprints, evidence of predators, etc. The fieldworkers shall take care not to obscure the evidence of cause of death through his or her trampling. The fieldworker shall take digital images of the remains in situ, taking as many images as necessary to document the setting where death may have occurred. If the remains are found in a situation where the tortoise might have been injured or died due to a human-related impact--e.g., vehicle use, deer, wild horses or burros, or vandalism- -then additional and representative digital images shall be taken. The fieldworker shall then proceed to search for additional body parts or evidence, e.g., bones and scutes.

3.13.2 In addition to the digital images described above, at least three digital images shall be taken of each shell/skeletal remain prior to disturbance: (1) a general picture showing the remains within the context of soils, vegetation, and land uses (if any); (2) a close-up of the remain(s), filling the frame; and (3) a close-up image (filling the frame) of the oldest and most deteriorated portion of the scutes and bones. The remains shall fill the frame, especially if they are entire or almost

so. If the remains are widely scattered for several feet or yards, then representative portions shall be photographed. A sticker (not a scrap of paper) showing date, number of shell, and name of plot shall be placed next to the tortoise remains prior to photographing it/them.

3.13.3 Each digital image shall be labeled with identification number of the carcass, date, Upper Ward V, township, range, section, UTMs, and state.

3.13.4 After photographing and recording information on the remains, the fieldworker shall collect the shell or parts, and place the remains in a heavy-duty ziplock plastic bag with a copy of the Data Sheet for Shell-skeletal Remains (List of Attachments, Item 2). The remains shall be collected at the time they are first discovered, not days or months later. If the remains are still odoriferous, the contractor shall place the folded data sheet within a small plastic bag and then place the small plastic bag with the enclosed data sheet with the remains.

3.13.5 All original Data Sheets for Shell-skeletal Remains shall be placed in a separate file folder and at no time shall be placed with or touch the remains. The data shall be recorded at the time the shell-skeletal remains are first discovered and the data shall be recorded on the Data Sheet for Shell-skeletal Remains (form to be provided by the government). Measurements are comparable to those on the Desert Tortoise Data Sheet. The location of each remain is very important for this study;

locations shall be described as distances in meters from the SW corner of the quadrat and in UTMs. The original data sheet shall be placed in a file marked Shell-skeletal Remains of Desert Tortoises. A second data sheet (a second original sheet) shall be placed in the envelope with the remains.

3.13.6 Collection and Documentation of Shell-skeletal Remains of Desert Tortoises On and Off the Plot. The collection of remains of tortoises On the Plot is described above. The fieldworker shall search and record data on remains off-plot and during the boundary search. Any marked, dead tortoises found outside the plot shall also be collected. Marked dead tortoises discovered off the plot shall be treated as described above, with the exception that off the plot shall be noted on the data sheet.

3.13.7 Management of Single Pieces of Isolated Bones and Scutes of Tortoises

Found on the Study Plot. If single pieces (that cannot be associated with a particular set of remains) are isolated, the individual pieces shall be sorted by grid and other appropriate numbers. Pieces found within a quadrat shall be placed in a separate bag for each quadrat. Each bag of pieces (representing a quadrat) shall have a single data sheet filled out and placed both in the bag and in the general file of data sheets (form to be provided by the government). The contractor does not need to take a digital image of each piece in situ.

3.13.8 Putrefying Remains. In rare cases, the fieldworker will encounter the freshly dead tortoise or a tortoise that has died a few hours or days previously, soft parts remain and are putrefying. The protocol for recording data shall be followed;

a rock cairn shall be created around the remains, and the remains collected at the end of the 60-day field surveys, when hopefully they have dried.

3.14 Carrying out the field work: Predator Scats (from coyote, badger, bobcat, kit fox, spotted skunk, etc.). The fieldworker shall check all predator scats for remains of tortoises.

Each scat or group of scats (that can be assigned to a single predator) shall be broken apart and checked visually. Each scat or group of scats (assigned to a single predator) and containing remains of tortoises shall be placed in a plastic, zip-lock bag. Each zip lock bag shall be treated, at the time of collection and initial analysis, as a single set of tortoise remains. It shall have a separate data sheet (Shell-skeletal Remains form). The original data sheet shall be placed in a separate file folder labeled "Remains of Desert Tortoises in Predator Scats," and a copy of the data sheet shall be placed within the ziplock bag. At no time shall the original data sheet be placed in the ziplock bag. The contractor does not need to take a digital image of each piece in situ but should photograph representative examples.

3.15 Carrying out the field work: Journal Notes. Field notes shall be taken on 8 1/2" by 11" archival paper provided by the government and the writing shall be in permanent black ink using a pen (non-ball point pen). Except for size and format, the notes generally shall be written in the manner much as described by Hall in The Mammals of North America (form to be provided by the government). The handwriting must be neat and the grammar sufficient to pass a college entry exam for college Freshman English. For each day in the field, the contractor shall record the following: year (top left corner), full name, date;

location; start time for work; general weather conditions including air temperatures at 1.5 m, soil surface (shaded bulb), and 1 cm above soil surface (shaded bulb) at 0800, 1200, and 1600 PST; start and finish times for tortoise searches; times of any breaks; identities of the areas or quadrats surveyed and the weather and time each was surveyed, e.g., grids 11, 12, 13; identification numbers of individual marked tortoises observed, e.g., 302, 412;

numbers of previously unmarked tortoises which were newly marked that day; numbers of carcasses of unmarked and marked tortoises; numbers of cover sites checked for tortoises;

numbers and names of individuals involved in tortoise searches, including visitors; any special or significant occurrences; the numbers of vehicles driving by or through the plot;

numbers of visitors to the plot (visitors not related to the field work); numbers of wild burros, deer, or other domestic animals on or adjacent to plot boundaries; and any incidents of shooting of firearms on the plot or in the distance. The PI shall provide examples of acceptable field notes on request.

3.16 Carrying out the fieldwork: Areas of Predator Sign Concentrations. The fieldworker shall collect data on Areas of Predator Sign Concentrations and place the data on the form of that name (form to be provided by the government). Predator Sign Concentration Areas include: kit fox dens, badger dens, areas with concentrations of predator scats, canid sign posts, raven nests and perches, red-tailed hawk perches and nests, etc. The contractor shall collect all evidence of Predator Sign Concentration Areas on the first survey of the study site, labeling each data sheet consecutively by site identification number. The first encounter of a unique site in 2024 shall be treated as Sheet no. 1. During the second survey of the study plot, the contractor shall determine if any changes occurred in the condition and level of predator activity at the Areas of Predator Sign Concentrations. The information shall be recorded using the same Site Identification Number, but as Sheet Number 2. Thus, there should be at least two separate evaluations of each Area of Predator Sign Concentration and two data sheets for each unique site in the file.

3.17. Carrying out the field work: Avian Predators. The fieldworker shall collect data on all observations of Burrowing Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, Greater Roadrunners, Loggerhead Shrikes, Great-horned Owls, Northern Harriers, Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons, and Common Ravens and shall record the data on Avian Predator Forms (form provided by the government). Data (numbers, behavior, and location) shall be entered for each avian predator or groups of predators observed. If the contractor observes any unusual concentration of tortoise remains near the plot, e.g., at the perch or nest of a raven or other avian predator, the contractor shall collect these remains and treat them as described above.

3.18. Carrying out the field work: General Photography. The fieldworker shall take several digital images of each of the fieldworkers, as well as typical tortoise habitat and cover sites on the plot/quadrats. Each digital image shall be labeled with date, location (number of study plot, township, range, section, and quadrat location), county, and state, and names of individuals or subjects appearing in the digital images. As time permits, the contractor shall take digital images of tortoises unrelated to the previously described requirements, other animals, vegetation, and other points of interest as part of the task order and include them in the deliverables.

The fieldworker shall take a sample of digital images (from one to many) of each type of human-related impact observed on or adjacent to the plot. Each digital image shall be labeled showing the date taken, site number, name of investigator, subject of digital image, quadrat number (if present), location, county, and state.

3.19. Collecting Data on Anthropogenic and Surface Disturbances and Entry into a Digital Excel File for the Study Plot (Historic and Recentsurface disturbances). To allow the PI to evaluate effects of human induced impacts on desert tortoise populations and habitat, the Contractor shall collect data on surface disturbances and typical human impacts (including past fires) that have occurred on the study plot. Examples of data sheets used in the past for recording such impacts will be provided after awrad. Data collection is estimated to require about 5 days because of the size of the plot.

3.19.1 Notes and Tables on Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments. The Contractor shall take detailed notes on human uses of the plot and adjacent areas and shall place such notes in the Journal. Examples include but are not limited to:

dates, times (including amount of total time spent), and locations of vehicles and people traveling through or walking on the plot; descriptions of the types of use and users, e.g., utility company vehicle, recreational vehicle user, government officials, sightseers, campers; date, time, and locations of livestock using the plot or evidence (past or recent) of such use; the presence, type and amount of human-related debris such as balloons, paper, refuse, cans, metal, shells from firearms, etc.; sounds of gunfire, observations of use of firearms; mining pits and scoops; and domestic dogs and cats.

The Contractor shall summarize the data in a typewritten 2-page summary of human impacts.

3.19.2 Maps of Qualitative and Quantitative Assessments. The Contractor shall prepare one or more detailed, high quality maps showing the evidences of human use on and immediately adjacent to the plot, including, but not limited to such important features as: old buildings or remains of structures; location of roads, trails, and single vehicle tracks; berms, railroads; transmission line towers, telephone poles, or other utilities; mining claim markers (old and recent) and excavations (old and recent); concentration areas for vehicle tracks (by type, e.g., tanks, motorcycles); trash; camp sites for recreationists; burros; unidentified users;

livestock or burro bedding and watering areas; cattle tanks, facilities, scats, and trails; small game guzzlers; hunting and plinking areas; and parking areas. The maps shall be in black and white, not in color. Where possible, the data shall be quantified by area of extent (square feet and acres) and placed in tables, e.g.:

structures (power towers), poles, miles of fence line (by type of fence), square feet of mining excavations (old and recent); camp sites; and parking areas.

3.19.3 Quantitative Assessments using One Transect per Quadrat. Each quadrat shall be sampled with 30-ft wide strip-transects which run diagonally from the northwest to the southeast corner (about 748 ft). Data shall be collected on the locations, numbers, and sizes of: paved roads, dirt roads, trails, individual vehicle tracks (old and recent), military vehicle tracks, garbage, balloons, spent shells

(military), spent shells (general firearms), shooting areas, shooting targets, mining test pits and markers, campsites, burro scat and tracks, watering areas, fence lines, posts, utility lines and towers, old buildings, and denuded or partially denuded habitats (Attachment 10 is an example). On the Upper Ward Valley plot, counts of African Mustard (Brassica tournefortii) shall be made on the diagonal transects;

special instructions shall be provided for these counts at the time of award.

3.19.4 Digital Images. The Contractor shall take a sample of digital images (from one to many) of each type of human-related impact observed on or adjacent to the plot. Each digital image shall show the date taken, site number, name of investigator, subject of digital image, grid number, township, range, section(s), county, and state.

3.20 Preparing the Database: Preparation of Maps of Locations of Live and Dead Tortoises. All data sheets, maps, and other information shall be handled separately for each type of data. The data shall be filed separately, mapped separately, and reported separately, etc. The data sets shall be kept separately at all times. Locations of each live tortoise shall be plotted on a diagram of each study plot by tortoise number and date. The diagram shall be prepared by the field team/team leader potentially using previously developed maps (from satellite images, orthophoto quads); on-site inspection; and staking.

Where appropriate, the section and quadrat lines should be superimposed on the map. A similar map shall be prepared for all dead tortoises, carcasses, and shell skeletal remains.

If the maps become too crowded because of the large numbers of live tortoises and recaptures, or the numbers of dead tortoises are large, then fieldworker shall prepare more than one map for live tortoises and more than one map for dead tortoises, separated by size classes. Depending on the numbers of individuals, the data sets can be sorted into two or more categories, such as (1) juveniles and immatures; and (2) subadults and adults. The maps shall be in black and white, not color, and 8 ½ x 11-inch size. Several copies of each shall be provided to the PI.

3.20 Preparing the 2-page Report and Database: Computer Entry of Data, Preparation of

Disks or Flash drives. All products described above shall be kept in separate manila files by subject and labelled by subject.

3,20.1 The contractor shall develop a computer database for PC, free of malicious code (sample to be provided by the government) to encode the data from the desert tortoise data sheets (including dead, marked tortoises) and health profile forms and to enter the data into the computer. There shall be one type of computer database for demographic data and a second with the health profile data. The health profile data sets shall be in a separate workbook with multiple datasheets by subject.

Instructions for coding and for filling out the data sheets shall be provided by the government at the pre-work conference. Data from forms shall be entered into an IBM-compatible personal computer database (using a government-provided Excel formats for Word) and saved to a disk or flash drive. The contractor shall provide a printout/hard copy of the data sets as part of the End Products and Deliverables described below. If substitutions are to be made (as in storage of data on 100 mB CDs or flashdrives, then agreement must be reached with the PI.

3.20.2 All data entries shall be organized by identification number of tortoise, in descending order, and thence in order for each individual tortoise by date. If an individual tortoise is captured or observed more than once, then the entries shall be arranged in order by date, with the earliest date first. Final products include: the databases for this Task Order. The roster of live tortoises and of health profile data shall be in Excel files

3.21 Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Human Use. All impact data shall be arrayed in excel files. Examples of format shall be provided at the pre-work conference

3.22 For any written material specified below, the report shall be prepared in Microsoft Word format for PC and accompanied by hard copy.

4.0 Deliverables from the Contractor: End Products

For work required under 3.0 Tasks for the Contractor, the Contractor shall deliver the materials listed below to the Principal Investigator at the following address:

USDI, USGS/WERC

ATTN: Dr. K.H. Berry 3621 Pinot Grigio Drive Reno, NV 89509

4.1 Deliverables: For the Work Products required under Section 3.0, the Contractor shall deliver the following materials to the PI by July 20, 2024. All products for the plot shall be kept separately in file boxes, the original data sheets, disks or flash drives in one box and shell-skeletal remains in labelled boxes. The data sheets shall be provided in new manila envelope-styled files, labeled clearly by subject. There shall be a single manila envelope-file for each type of data sheet for the plot.