Statement of Work.pdf

Project Management and Support for Prairie Habitat and Pollinator Protocol Development in IR3 and IR4

Scope of Work, FY2021

Introduction:

Over the past 10 years, the Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning (DNRCP) has been helping stations select their priority Resources of Concern, link these to specific management objectives, and then select monitoring surveys that inform staff about these priorities in Inventory and Monitoring Plans (IMPs). In U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Legacy Region 3 (LR3), now designated as Interior Region (IR) 3 and portions of IR4 (IA and MO), we are nearing completion of IMPs for each station and are ready to develop each station’s selected surveys to meet the standards of the NWRS program, defined as a site-specific survey protocol (SSP, see handbook and template).

For common surveys, we have developed protocol frameworks that describe data collection, data analysis, and reporting methodology to facilitate SSP development. In these cases, SSP development still requires careful thought and documentation about how the methodology is implemented to meet the station’s needs, including how to develop a relevant sampling design, and document exactly how these tasks and related reporting will be handled at the station. Protocol frameworks relevant to this contract may include:

- National Protocol Framework for Monitoring Vegetation in Prairie Reconstructions

- National Protocol Framework for the Inventory and Monitoring of Bees

- Grassland Monitoring Team

- Native Prairie Adaptive Management

The purpose of this contract is to support DNRCP and station staff as they move to develop a large volume of SSPs from these existing protocol frameworks.

Oversight:

The contract is managed by the LR3 NWRS Inventory and Monitoring Coordinator (IMC), who will help schedule the contractor’s work with DNRCP staff and NWRS stations.

Primary duties of the contractor:

1) Write a SSP template for protocols frameworks identified by IMC, so that only station specific information needs to be added to complete an SSP (30% time)

a) Follow the general SSP template linked in the background section of this SOW for development of protocol-specific SSP templates.

b) Carefully identify information in each protocol that will apply to any station (e.g., Standard Operating Procedures and general background information), and separate from station-specific information that must be reported by each station https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/20587 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/20158 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/105152 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/113970 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/74109 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/57613 https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/61144 using the SSP template. For station-specific sections, provide prompts for the information that will need to be filled in by each station.

2) Facilitate discussions among DNRCP subject matter experts, biostatisticians, and NWRS station staff to link management objectives to a sampling design, and other station-specific sections of an SSP (30%)

a) Communicate with the IMC to prioritize workload. The contractor will use FWS collaboration tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams) to schedule meetings, set agendas, and hold meetings with necessary station and DNRCP staff.

b) Review protocol frameworks and management objectives of a station prior to the initial meeting with station staff, highlighting any objectives that might need further clarification prior to SSP development.

c) Facilitate discussion to reach the necessary decisions. Document discussion and decisions in a project record that will be submitted for review with the complete draft SSP for review. Identify any knowledge gaps (e.g., the team needs additional statistical support) and consult with IMC for direction and resolution.

3) Write the SSP documents for each station involved and facilitate review by all needed parties (40%)

a) Use the protocol handbook and protocol template (linked in the Introduction section) to complete a site-specific protocol for each assigned station. This includes documenting the background, site selection, methodology, data management, analysis and reporting in a clear and understandable way. The level of detail expected in the SSP is such that a new biologist at a station could effectively implement the monitoring after reading the document.

Supervision:

The contractor works independently but the IMC will confirm prioritization of stations before the contractor makes contact. The contractor is then responsible for planning and executing tasks, selecting appropriate techniques and methods, and determining the approach to be taken. Completed work is reviewed for completeness and alignment with Service policy and station objectives. The contractor coordinates work with other team members and specialists from the station and DNRCP throughout the process, but the team members will vary for each SSP. The contractor will maintain a status spreadsheet (or similar) to keep the IMC up to date on progress.

Personal Contacts:

Contractor has frequent contact with NWRS station and regional office staff. Contacts and effective working relationships are established and maintained in order to coordinate data gathering, reports, provide advice and assistance, and resolve specific problems. The contractor may initiate new contacts to gather data for discussions and for making recommendations on issues where there are conflicting interests and opinions. The contractor may also deal with individuals or groups with divergent points of view and must use tact and diplomacy to achieve a common understanding of the issues and attain a satisfactory resolution, through persuasion, compromise, or the development of mutually-agreeable alternatives, while maintaining affinity to Service policy. Contacts will also provide technical expertise and guidance; incorporate current and future technological information systems; establish and maintain close liaison with key regional and station staff.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

A minimum of a master’s degree in mathematics, computer science, ecology, zoology, or wildlife management, or related field, and demonstrated knowledge is preferred. Familiarity prairie/pollinator monitoring and NWRS protocol development would be beneficial.

Knowledge and experience in the application of structured decision-making and adaptive management, communication, or technical writing are routinely applied in completing tasks.

Place/Delivery and Period of Performance:

The work shall be performed during regular business hours. All supplies, equipment, safety, and related systems support to perform this work shall be provided by the Government. All appropriate equipment, safety, and other training required for conducting these tasks on Department of Interior Lands within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be provided.

We anticipate that most work will be conducted remotely. However, there is a possiblity of travel to meetings with station or DNRCP staff, with the agreement of the IMC. In those cases, travel will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations (http:// www.gsa.gov/portal/category/21222 ). Period of performance will be twelve (12) months with up to three (3) one-year option periods depending on funding availability. CONTRACT AWARD

IS CONTINGENT ON PASSING REQUIRED SECURITY TRAINING AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Contractor may use a government vehicle while on travel related to this agreement with a valid driver’s license and proof of passing approved vehicle defensive driving and safety training tutorials.