Work_Statement.docx

1. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages 4 million surface acres of land within the Twin Falls District (TFD). The District conducts vegetation monitoring post-wildfire to document the success of vegetation treatments completed through the Emergency Stabilization and Burned Area Rehabilitation (ESR) program. The Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) strategy is the approved monitoring strategy for land health monitoring and will be supplementing the guidelines used by the TFD Fuels program.

2. BACKGROUND

The contractor will be responsible for collecting data at 52 pre-determined plots. The distributed plots are on BLM administered lands throughout the TFD BLM (Burley, Jarbidge, and Shoshone Field Offices). These plots will be in their second and third post-treatment monitoring years. In recent years, large wildfires have affected sage-grouse habitat throughout the TFD. Areas burned by these fires were seeded with native cultivar seed mixtures or sagebrush plantings in existing vegetation. BLM policy is to monitor seeded/planted vegetation over a ten-year period to determine if the treatment(s) have met resource objectives and will aid in determining the success or failure of establishing native vegetation into disturbed areas. These plots will be provided to the selected contractor by the COR/contract administrator prior to the start of monitoring. The contractor will provide support in terms of coordination, pre-season support, data collection, electronic data management, and reporting. All processes shall occur in accordance with the TFD Fuels monitoring program guidelines and with the most recent versions of information posted on the aim.landscapetoolbox.org website.

Data collection often occurs in remote locations, where cellular connection is unavailable or inconsistent. The BLM recommends that field crews be prepared to camp in primitive conditions and to collect data in multi-day “hitches” to minimize travel time. Field crews will be responsible for safety and for appropriate coordination with the local field offices regarding access across private lands, or protection of local resources. Contractors will be required to include a hitch schedule and safety plan as part of their submission.

3. SCOPE

3.1 TASK 1 - COORDINATION

After the contract is awarded, the contractor will meet or call with the COR (via phone, Teams or other web-based platform, or in person at the respective field office) for a pre-season meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to review sampling point locations and site access logistics, sampling methodologies, sampling order strategy, coordination, and data storage procedures. Upon request the contractor will allow BLM employees or public lands stakeholders such as permittees or members of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the methodologies as described.

The contractor will provide the COR or other designated point of contact with a hitch schedule including dates of field work and planned sampling locations prior to each hitch.

Standard:

The contractor shall meet with the COR on at least one occasion before beginning data collection. The BLM is notified of expected sampling schedules prior to each field hitch. The contractor shall allow BLM employees or BLM Public Land Stakeholders, such as permittees or member of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the TFD Fuels program guidelines and the methodologies described in the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition.

3.2 TASK 2 – DATA COLLECTION

The contractor will collect data at 52 plots within 10 project areas provided by the BLM, as summarized in Table 1. Each project will have a particular seed mix or seed mixes and treatment history that will be helpful to use before and during data collection. The BLM will provide these items to the contractor before data collection commences.

Table 1. Monitoring projects, Field Office, monitoring year (MT), acres, and plot numbers per project.

At each site, the contractor will collect data in accordance with the TFD Fuels monitoring program guidelines and the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition (Herrick et al. 2018) as indicated in this statement of work. The Density Quadrat, Density Belt, and Species Inventory forms will be provided if desired to the contractor prior to field data collection.

The general plot layout shall include three 100 foot transects arranged in a spoke design with bearings of 0°, 120° and 240°. Orientation of plots will be done using magnetic north with no correction for declination.

3.2.1 Core Collection Methods- These will be completed at each plot:

· Photos (Cardinal directions, for a total of four per plot)

· Plot Description

· Plot-Level Species Inventory

3.2.2 Protocols- These will be completed for the projects and plots indicated in Table 2.

· Cover-Point (includes height)

· Density Quadrats

· Density Belt Transect

Table 2. Summary of plots and methods to be collected (identified by protocol and plot number)

3.2.3 Specifications for core collection methods/protocol implementation

· Plot Description Collect these fields:

· Vegetation - Shrub and Herbaceous Cover

· Ground Cover

· Vegetation - Composition

· Comments: General notes and observations of the plot not captured in other methods/protocols.

· Photos

· Photos will be taken and provided to BLM in digital format, with photos named according to a systematic naming convention (Ex: Badger_ESR_001_North).

· Photos will be taken from all four cardinal directions (Idaho BLM Fuels Standard).

· If using a standard camera, each photo will include a photo board with information on site, date, plot ID, transect number, and transect azimuth.

· If using a smart device, the ContextCam app (or equivalent app) has labels within the app to identify location and other desired information (a photo board is not necessary with this option). This app is only available through iOS devices. AngleCam is a similar app supported by Android devices which may be used for photo documentation.

· Cover-Point (includes height)

· Cover-Point observations will be made every 4 feet (starting at 4 feet) along each 100 foot transect, for a total of 25-point observations per transect (75 per plot).

· Height will be recorded at each point for all observations.

· Plants will be identified to species whenever possible, except for sagebrush, which will be identified to the sub-species level.

· *Forms will be provided to contractor.

· Density Quadrats

· Quadrats will be utilized to measure grass and forb density (only count live species/current year’s growth)

· Quadrats will be taken per transect at 15’, 35’, 55’, 75’, and 95’, for a total of 5 per transect (15 per plot)

· Quadrat dimensions are 1 meter x 0.5 meter

· *Forms will be provided to contractor.

· Density Belt Transect

· Shrub counts will be collected to measure shrub presence and density (differentiate species (from seed mix) and age class (immature or mature))

· Transect dimensions are 3 feet from both sides of one 100’ tape, taken at the 0° transect.

· *Forms will be provided to contractor.

· Plot-Level Species Inventory

· Plants will be identified to species whenever possible, except for sagebrush, which will be identified to the sub-species level.

· For each species observed, abundance will be characterized as rare or common.

· *Forms will be provided to contractor.

All questions regarding monitoring methodology that are not answered by the TFD Fuels Monitoring Information for Contractors document and the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition and other technical guides, as provided, will be brought to the COR for resolution. *Sample protocol forms will be provided to the contractor prior to field data collection if desired.

2024 TFD ESR Treatment Monitoring

3.2.4 Data Collection Guidelines

· Contractor is responsible for ensuring that field crews can identify local plants to species or sub-species, either by providing specialized local information or training, or by requiring formal education background of crew members. Sagebrush will be identified to the sub-species level.

· Contractor is responsible for ensuring that data is collected within appropriate timeframes for optimal vegetative expression, according to climate and local phenology.

The months of May, June, and July are the optimal data collection seasons in the TFD. Data collected in the hotter, drier months tend to make plant identification a little more difficult (but still feasible). Fire is also another reason to collect earlier in the season. The TFD averages 150,000 acres from wildfires every year, with about 50% as human cause.

· Electronic data capture while field sampling is preferred by the BLM, however it is at the discretion of the contractor as to whether to record data on paper forms and then transfer them into an electronic format FFI (Feat Firemon Integrated), electronic spreadsheets for others, as described above, or to use an electronic method of capturing data in the field. However, only the electronic data will be submitted to the BLM by September 30, 2024.

· Contractor is responsible for providing and setting up electronic capture devices (GETAC or similar device) with FFI version 1.05.13.

· GPS collection can be completed using Trimble units or smart devices with Field Maps capabilities. GeoPlatform is the platform used for contractors (very similar to Field Maps and requires less work to get credentialed with the DOI).

· Photos can be utilized with a standard camera unit, or via smart device with ContextCam or similar app. Plot photos will be submitted in digital format, with photos named according to a systematic naming convention.

· If private land will be crossed in the process of collecting the data, the contractor will contact the private landowner to acquire permission prior to crossing their land. The contractor will coordinate with BLM regarding private land access issues and comply with all state and local laws and regulations.

Standard:

By September 30, 2024, all the data described in this section will be provided to the Twin Falls District BLM. All plots are sampled within the specified timeframes. The data will be collected using the required methodologies and will be at least 95% accurate and complete. 95% of all plants encountered will be identified to the species level. All sagebrush species encountered will be identified to sub-species level.

3.3 TASK 3 – QUALITY CONTROL AND DATA TRACKING

The contractor will follow the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) steps outlined in Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition.

3.3.1 Calibration

Before any data are collected, those collecting data must calibrate as described in the monitoring manual. At a minimum, calibration must occur for cover-point and density quadrat. Variance between crew members must be at the following parameters for each protocol before data collection begins:

· Cover-Point – Within 10%

· Density Quadrats – Within 10 hits

· Density Belts – Within 2 hits

· Species Inventory – Within 2 species

Calibration will be repeated until variance meets the required parameters. The contractor will maintain a separate calibration project file in FFI and provide it to the COR or other designated contact with initial calibration results and a copy of the project file (FFI) after the first week (or work hitch) of sampling is complete. The contractor will provide the COR with a copy of the project sheet to review monthly throughout the data collection period. Sample calibration forms will be provided to the contractors prior to field data collection.

3.3.2 Reporting

The contractor will provide a brief written project implementation report along with each completed project in FFI. The implementation report will provide:

· Names of individuals working on the project

· Dates and titles of relevant training

· Calibration dates and results

· General hitch or sampling schedule

· Summary of meetings and field days with BLM or others and list of attendees

· Explanation of QA/QC processing, any data irregularities, or omissions (e.g., unidentifiable plants)

· Discussion of issues encountered during the sampling period

· Summary of number of plots sampled within each field-verified stratum

The ESR Monitoring Summary for each project will be completed. Templates for these reports will be provided to the contractor. These reports/summaries will provide:

· Monitoring methods

· Vegetation monitoring results for each treatment and objective

· Weather summary (temperature, wind, and precipitation)

Standard:

Quality of data submitted to the BLM demonstrates that QA/QC has occurred. A separate FFI file is submitted to the BLM demonstrating successful calibration of crew members. A complete project implementation report and ESR Monitoring Summary is submitted along with each final project in FFI. The BLM will be allowed 15 days to ensure data quality prior to acceptance.

3.4 TASK 4 – PROVIDE DATA TO THE TFD FUELS\ESR PROGRAM

All data will be provided to the BLM in an electronic format by September 30, 2024. All data that can be stored in FFI will be provided in that database. All photos will also be provided to the BLM and organized in folders by plot ID. All other data will be provided in an electronic spreadsheet, organized in a way that allows for easy data access and analysis. A brief project implementation report and ESR Monitoring Summary will also be submitted for each project.

Standard BLM receives the data in FFI or an electronic spreadsheet as described in Task 2. Data is received by October 31, 2024. Data is accessible and usable for analysis purposes. A clear, concise project implementation report is submitted for each project.

4 EQUIPMENT

The contractor will need the following equipment to conduct this monitoring:

4.1 Field vehicle (a 4-wheel drive (4X4) vehicle with high clearance and all terrain 10-ply tires is highly recommended)

4.2 A UTV/ATV may be needed to access some plots. Equipment needed to access a point will be at the discretion of the contractor. If using equipment to access sites, no sustained impact to resource values should occur. Motorized access to wilderness or wilderness study areas will not be allowed, unless by written permission of the appropriate BLM field office manager.

4.3 Electronic data capture device capable of running Feat Firemon Integrated v1.05.13 (GETAC or similar)

4.4 10 megapixel or better digital camera, or smart device (ContextCam app)

4.5 GPS device, or smart device (Field Maps)

4.6 Compass

4.7 SPOT device or other means of communication in remote areas

4.8 Tools needed for fire preparedness; at a minimum: shovels and fire extinguishers.

4.9 The contractor is responsible for all other materials needed to successfully complete the monitoring. These include, but not limited to:

· Transect tapes and stakes/chaining pins

· Laser or measuring device (cover-point)

· Plant books

· Density quadrat frame- 1 m x 0.5 m

· Density belt transect pvc pipe- 6 feet long

5 SCHEDULE

Date of award through October 31, 2024.

6 KEY PERSONNEL

A minimum of 2 individuals will be required at each monitoring site. Collectively, the individuals who participate in collecting monitoring data will need to have the following qualifications:

6.1 Field Botanist or Rangeland Management Specialist

6.2 At least one of the individuals present for data collection must have successfully completed Terrestrial AIM core methods training in the past 24 months (information about these trainings is available at (https://www.blm.gov/aim/training)). Short course trainings may be available by request for those individuals who may not be able to attend any of the AIM trainings (though one person on the crew must have attended a formal AIM core methods training in the past 24 months as previously indicated).

The Terrestrial AIM core methods training requirement may be waived for individual(s) if AIM training completion certificates or proof of training* within the last 3 years is provided. (*Proof of completed training include(s) a participation letter, an agenda, and/or a course completion survey email. Having only one form of the proof of completed training will suffice.).

6.3 Field data specialist

7 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

Any information including GIS data needed to complete the project will be furnished upon request. Project treatment history, seed mixes, protocol and calibration forms, and ESR Monitoring Summary templates will also be provided.

8 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The BLM will furnish the contractor with a shapefile of the data plots, as well as the associated GPS locations. Contractor is responsible for all equipment and incidentals necessary to complete the monitoring studies in accordance with the following specifications/directions.

9 QUALITY:

All work shall be checked and technically reviewed and approved in accordance with TFD BLM Fuels and BLM AIM policies, directives, and guidelines.

Quality shall be measured based on the following:

PERFORMANCE

OBJECTIVE

Accuracy – All documents conform to formatting requirements, agency directives, department directives, and the Federal Acquisition Regulations.

Professional – All Documents are well organized, grammatically correct, and demonstrate sound professional evaluation and analysis.

SOW Task 3.1

The contractor shall meet with the COR on at least one occasion before beginning data collection. The BLM is notified of expected sampling schedules prior to each field hitch. The contractor shall allow BLM employees or BLM Public Land Stakeholders, such as permittees or member of the public to attend and observe monitoring efforts to attend and observe monitoring efforts to ensure data is being collected in compliance with the methodologies described by TFD BLM Fuels program and in the Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems – Second Edition.

The contractor provides a point of contact to resolve any questions or concerns about the data through October 31, 2024.

10 IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACT EMPLOYEES: All contract personnel are required to identify themselves as contractors. Whether attending meetings or working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties, they must make their status known to avoid creating an impression that they are Government employees.

11 BLM CONTACTS

Contracting Officer’s Representative Lynnette Pettingill E-Mail: lpettingill@blm.gov