StatementofWork_Final.pdf

Rev. 2021.01.25

STATEMENT OF WORK

U.S.G.S. Western Ecological Research Center

Field Surveys for the Presence and Condition of Mojave Desert Tortoises

Introduction The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Ecological Research Center (USGS) requests assistance in conducting field surveys to identify the presence and conditions of Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii; hereafter tortoise) and their habitats within the Western Training Area of the Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) and surrounding public lands. USGS anticipates that the majority of work will include field surveys to locate and mark individual tortoises, attach and remove radio transmitters, monitor location and behavior, collect associated ecological and environmental data, assess clinical health conditions, and collect tissue samples from tortoises as needed. These field surveys and associated data will be used by multiple federal entities and project proponents to evaluate the potential impacts of translocating tortoises from the project area to approved release habitats. In addition, these data will be used to evaluate the range-wide effects of animal displacement and habitat disturbance on the conservation and management of Mojave desert tortoises throughout their range.

Background & Scope The U.S. Department of Army plans to commence military activity at Fort Irwin NTC in the Western Training Area (WTA) in upcoming years provisional to potential environmental impacts and proponent guidance. NTC plans to provide training habitats for U.S. Army brigade-sized units according to Army tactical doctrine. In order for this to occur, field surveys must be completed to document sensitive species, including tortoises, present in the WTA and surrounding habitats, as well as the condition of tortoises and potential project impacts to the management and conservation of this species.

In April 2019, the USGS received funding from the Department of Army to complete field surveys within the WTA and surrounding habitats to locate and document the condition of Mojave desert tortoises within the project area, as it is located in or adjacent to critical habitat.

The tortoise is listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act, and recently received elevated temporary protection status as “endangered” in California under the California Endangered Species Act. The USGS and collaborators will assist with identifying tortoise sign, including live tortoises, carcasses, burrows, scat, tracks, nests, and egg shell fragments, as well as describing the physical and biological attributes (e.g. elevation, vegetation, precipitation, roads), animal behavior and movement, and clinical and physiological health conditions for each tortoise observation using current USFWS translocation guidance.

Contracting with an organization/vendor with the unique qualifications, permits, experience, and equipment to accomplish these tasks with Mojave desert tortoises is necessary to ensure we comply with requirements from the Department of Army and other regulatory agencies for listed and sensitive species, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. This work will be conducted in tangent with USGS biologists and technical staff. Qualifications must incorporate experience conducting desert tortoise surveys and collecting ecological data, effective and daily communication with the USGS, and data management by technically-skilled data personnel.

Technical Requirements For each service category, the USGS is requiring the vendor to provide evidence of experience and qualifications to handle and research the federally-threatened and California state-endangered Mojave desert tortoise. This research requires extensive field data collection efforts over a large area (~350,000 acres) and daily coordination with USGS staff to complete the work.

Federal and state guidelines dictate strict protocols and experience required for searching, handling, assessment, and collection of tissues for tortoises. The USGS is requiring the awarded vendor have enough experienced and qualified staff (employees and/or subcontractors) available to complete the work in a timely manner. Experienced staff must know the ecological and physical characteristics of Mojave desert tortoises and have worked in this region for enough years to be familiar with the environmental conditions that influence behavior and responses of tortoises. Tortoises often present with complex and counterintuitive responses, requiring experienced staff to accurately document their clinical and physiological condition.

During the period of performance, the vendor will be asked to contribute to locating and processing 300-500 Mojave desert tortoises necessitating only well-equipped experienced staff for efficient and responsible animal handling and data collection. These tortoises are generally located and processed in April/May and September/October each year and are spread over the large project area. In addition, tortoises will need to be monitored 1-2 times per month via radio telemetry throughout the year. The vendor must be able to meet the operational goals and data collection efforts for this project in a timely manner. For “Technical Requirements,” the vendor must explain its ability to ensure the proposed number of staff (employees and/or subcontractors) will be available for the project start and work throughout the award. The vendor must also describe their strategy if the number of requested staff is not available for work.

Description of Services:

1) Field Surveys for Tortoise Sign –Awarded vendor will conduct field surveys to locate all signs of Mojave desert tortoises, including live tortoises, carcasses, burrows, scat, eggshells, nests, and tracks within selected project areas using standardized survey protocols provided by the USFWS, USBLM, CDFW, or other agencies as required.

Standardized datasheets will be provided by USGS. All other supplies and equipment (see “Equipment Specifications” below) needed to perform this task will be provided by the vendor. Federal and State permits and specialized experience are required for this work to cover an area ~350,000 acres.

[Vendor must include documentation within the application stating that they have:

• At least 10 individuals with 15 or more years’ experience conducting surveys for, handling, and marking of Mojave desert tortoises;

• At least 20 individuals with 10 or more years’ experience conducting surveys for, handling, and marking of Mojave desert tortoises;

• All individuals will be experienced using global positioning devices (GPS) and other field navigation devices;

• All individuals have been listed on Federal and State permits or project Biological Opinions to perform these tasks within the last 3 years;

• Documentation must include a USFWS Statement of Qualifications-SOQ-form, references, and detailed experience for each vendor member (USFWS SOQ forms can be found at:

https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/SpeciesDocs/DesertTortoi se/Mojave_DesertTortoiseQualifications012008.pdf);

• Documentation must include project references (name, title, phone number, and email) documenting experience performing this described task for each individual. All biological opinion, permit, or authorization letters or numbers provided by USFWS and State agencies should be listed for each proposed staff member.

2) Tortoise Telemetry – Awarded vendor will attach, replace, or remove radio transmitters from Mojave desert tortoises (all size classes) in order to monitor animal movement, behavior, and condition throughout the project area. Tortoises will be relocated via radio telemetry at least bimonthly or as directed by project permits or guidance. Standardized datasheets will be provided by USGS. Selection and use of all radio frequencies will be closely coordinated with USGS to reduce potential frequency interference. All radio transmitters and field supplies (see "Equipment Specifications” below) will be supplied by USGS. Federal and state permits and specialized experience are required for this work to meet strict USFWS protocols.

[Vendor must include documentation within the application stating that they have:

• At least 15 or more individuals with 5 or more years’ experience attaching and removing very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters on Mojave desert tortoises;

• Each individual must have been listed on Federal and State permits or project Biological Opinions to perform these tasks within the last 5 years;

• Documentation must include a USFWS SOQ-form (described above) indicating number of juvenile, sub-adult, and adult tortoises with radio attachment/removal;

• Documentation must include references (name, title, phone number, and email) documenting experience performing this described task for each vendor individual. If applicable, all biological opinion, permit, or authorization letters or numbers provided by USFWS and State agencies should be listed for each vendor individual.

3) Tortoise Ecological and Spatial Data Collection - Record ecological, physical, and environmental data for each tortoise encounter on both paper and electronic records in the field. Standardized datasheets and electronic software platforms will be provided by USGS. Vendors will be responsible for supplying all navigation devices (GPS units) and electronic data collection devices (see “Equipment Specifications” below) to conduct this work. Federal and state permits and specialized experience are required for this work. [Vendor must include documentation within the application stating that they have:

• At least 20 or more individuals with 10 or more years’ experience collecting and recording ecological data for Mojave desert tortoises including habitat use, https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/SpeciesDocs/DesertTortoise/Mojave_DesertTortoiseQualifications012008.pdf https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/Documents/SpeciesDocs/DesertTortoise/Mojave_DesertTortoiseQualifications012008.pdf behavior, movement patterns, weather and climate information, landscape features (roads, topography, etc.);

• Each individual must have collected the described ecological data on both paper datasheets and using electronic formats in the field;

• Documentation must include references (name, title, phone number, and email) documenting all experience performing this described task for each vendor individual.]

4) Tortoise Health Assessments and Tissue Collection – Evaluate and record the clinical health conditions of each tortoise using standardized project guidelines approved by the USFWS and project proponents. Tissue samples including, but not limited to, blood and oral swabs will be collected. All tissue samples will be processed and frozen in ultralow temperatures within 4 hours of collection. Standardized datasheets and electronic software platforms and health sampling supplies (see “Equipment Specifications” below) will be provided by USGS. Vendor will be responsible for providing all other supplies and equipment needed to process and store tissue samples in the field. Federal and State permits, USFWS Letters of Authorization, and specialized experience are required for this work to meet strict USFWS protocol.

[Vendor must include documentation within the application stating that they have:

• At least 10 or more individuals with 2 or more years’ experience collecting blood via subcarapacial venipuncture from Mojave desert tortoises;

• At least 10 or more individuals with 2 or more years’ experience collecting oral swabs from Mojave desert tortoises;

• Each specified individual must have been listed on Federal and State permits or project Biological Opinions to perform these tasks within the last 5 years;

• Documentation must include a USFWS SOQ-form (described above) indicating number of juvenile, sub-adult, and adult tortoises that have been sampled for blood and oral swabs, and detailed experience for each staff member;

• Documentation must include references (name, title, phone number, and email) documenting experience performing this described task for each individual;

• Each specified individual must have completed the USFWS Health Assessment Training (HAT) Course for Mojave desert tortoises and demonstrated proficiencies in all related tasks including collecting biological tissues, processing and storing samples, and approval to work independently without supervision. The HAT certification letter or specialized authorization from USFWS for each applicable vendor individual must be included.]

5) Data Collection and Collaboration - Vendor will collect data using established protocols, efficiency, and utmost scientific integrity. They will also communicate daily with the USGS on progress, issues, and questions related to the study and will work with USGS staff side by side in the field to complete goals in a timely manner. Vendor will be required to understand the project background, importance, and needs for proper data collection. All field data will be collected using both hardcopy (paper) and digital formats, collated and reviewed for quality control and quality assurance daily.

Subsequent data review and proofing are required before final data transfer to USGS. A data manager devoted to the project’s data is crucial for USGS and vendor communication on data collection and correction. Specialized experience performing these tasks with Mojave desert tortoises is required.

[Vendor must include documentation within the application stating that they have:

• Experience collecting ecological field data from Mojave desert tortoises using both hardcopy (paper datasheets) and digital formats.

• Experience using secure digital data platforms (e.g. iForm Builder, ArcCollector);

• Experience collating, proofing, and performing quality control measures with ecological data associated with Mojave desert tortoises;

• Experience using associated software (e.g. ArcGIS, R) and relational databases with Mojave desert tortoises;

• Data manager or personnel with proficiency in web design and data manipulation using SQL, Python, and other coding;

• Data manager or personnel with ability to gather, review, and correct data nightly by 7pm from all staff per day;

• Vendor must describe their experience and project approach to:

o developing and using standardized naming conventions, o work flow, o data entry procedures, o population of data entry with prior related fields and forced data parameters, o data integrity, o procedures for daily review of all field data and accuracy, o synchronizing digital data with server databases, o data storage and management, o transferring data deliverables to USGS.

• Vendor must describe their approach allowing each project individual to access previously collected data, photographs, reports, and summary lists in real-time while in the field (i.e. through an internet database or application).

• Vendor must have successfully demonstrated the ability to collect large ecological datasets for Mojave desert tortoises over multiple years. All data must have been provided in a timely manner and using desired formats and quality control measures.

6) Labor Estimates – Within the application, the prime vendor (prime contractor) shall provide an estimate of labor that will be performed by employees versus outside vendors, including independent contractors and sole proprietors. If independent contractors and sole proprietors are proposed, please provide approach to ensure that all vendors are able to secure and maintain the minimum insurance limits (e.g. workers compensation and professional liability) required for this contract, and control measures for quality control and professional conduct.

7) All motorized vehicles must remain on pre-existing dirt roads. No new road incursions are allowed. Project site access will require accessing Department of Army, Fort Irwin National Training Center and will be subject to military security measures and background checks.

[Vendor must include documentation stating:

• All individuals have experience driving a 4x4 vehicle over rough terrain in the

Mojave desert;

• All individuals possess a valid U.S. State driver’s license;

• All individuals working on this project are U.S. citizenship or possess appropriate visa documentation to work within the U.S.;

• All individuals do not have any unaddressed traffic, misdemeanor, or other violations/charges that may prevent them from accessing U.S. military installations.]

8) All significant habitat disturbances including remote camping within the project area are not allowed.

Equipment Specifications

USGS will provide contractor the following:

• [Surveys and telemetry] Tortoise ID labels, VHF radio transmitters, radio receivers, antennas, coaxial cables, metal burrow tags, Quiksteel putty epoxy, epoxy glue, silicone, shrink-tubing, tape measures, and scissors.

• [Health assessments] Needles, syringes, FTA cards, oral swabs, microtainers, RNALater, sodium heparin, disinfectant solution including Rescue or Trifectant, saline solution bags, sample boxes, and ultra-cold freezer use for long-term tissue sample storage.

• [Data collection] Standardized datasheets.

Contractor will provide the following:

• [Surveys and telemetry] GPS units, calipers, scales, flagging tape, and thermometers.

• [Health assessments] Gloves (latex, nitrile, or vinyl), centrifuges, and coolers and dry ice for tissue sample transport.

• [Data collection] Cell phones, GPS units, tablets, computers and associated electronic data collection platforms*.

Deliverables Products to be delivered to USGS by the vendor:

1) Daily survey progress and tracking reports provided nightly by 7 pm via an application.

2) Daily survey records including GPS coordinates, GPS tracks, parcel numbers, physical and environmental descriptions, and descriptions if applicable to document habitat searched and supporting conditions (USGS will provide standardized datasheets).

3) Daily ecological data for each tortoise observation. Both paper and electronic records will be recorded in the field and supplied to USGS (USGS will provide standardized datasheets and electronic software platforms).

4) All tissue samples and associated clinical health data, including photographs, for each tortoise will be collected and recorded in the field and supplied to USGS (USGS will provide standardized datasheets).

5) All data, photographs, paper datasheets, tissue samples, metadata and other materials, summary or tabulation files, and reports will be collated, labeled, proofed and corrected for inaccuracies if applicable, and supplied to USGS.

Draft data and related material will be delivered daily after field surveys and activities have occurred. After additional quality control measures, field data, summaries, tabulations, reports, geospatial data, photographs, and tissues will be provided to USGS at least monthly. Vendor will be available for data corrections or clarification on their data or data platforms as needed.

Place of Performance Fort Irwin and U.S. Department of Army National Training Center and surrounding public lands in San Bernardino County, California, near Barstow and Fort Irwin.

Period of Performance February 22, 2021 – January 31, 2026

Government-furnished property:

Vendor individuals will return all government-furnished equipment used throughout the survey season. This includes, but is not limited to, provided VHF radio transmitters, radio-tracking equipment (e.g. antennas and receivers), any unused field equipment (e.g. silicone, epoxy, tape measures), and any unused health work supplies (e.g. needles and syringes).

Technical requirements: (see requirements under each Description of Service)

• Specializes in remote backcountry field surveys and familiar with Mojave Desert habitats and terrain.

• Documented previous experience in surveying for and identifying the presence of Mojave desert tortoises including live tortoises, burrows, carcasses, scat, egg shell fragments, and associated tracks using approved (e.g., USFWS, CDFW) survey protocols for detections.

• Documented previous experience and associated permits (including federal and state) to handle, mark, attach and remove radio transmitters, and monitor Mojave desert tortoises.

• Documented previous experience and associated permits to evaluate Mojave desert tortoises for clinical health conditions and collect tissues including blood and oral swabs.

Applicants must be approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Desert Tortoise Recovery Office to conduct this work.

• Documented previous experience identifying, surveying for, and describing physical and biological attributes (e.g. topography, vegetation, condition and trend) for tortoise habitat in the western Mojave Desert.

• Specializes in providing tabulated electronic information to the USGS and vendor staff nightly through multiple applications with data updates and survey progress by on-staff data personnel.

• Able to perform the work with minimal ground disturbance. Absolutely no driving off of pre-existing roads, must remain on existing dirt roads.

• Responsible for providing equipment, tools, personnel, and transportation needed to perform services (all VHF radio transmitters will be supplied by USGS if needed).

• Responsible for the safety of their personnel which includes providing personal protective equipment.

• No contracted personnel will have access to any Federal buildings nor will require any personal or computer security clearance.