Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

May 14, 2018

USACE RSOI: Evaluating Flora and Avian Diversity in The Dalles Project for Special Status Species Protection

STATEMENTS OF INTEREST
PACIFIC NORTHWEST CESU
NUMBER W912HZ-18-SOI-0008
PROJECT TO BE INITIATED IN 2018

Project Title: Evaluating Flora and Avian Diversity in The Dalles Project for Special Status Species Protection

Responses to this Request for Statements of Interest will be used to identify potential research investigators for a project to be funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District which will provide support for a comprehensive assessment of the quantity, diversity, abundance and long-term attributes of all flora and avian fauna in The Dalles Project. Approximately $40,000 is expected to be available to support this project for one (1) year.

Background:
Since its construction in 1957, The Dalles Lock and Dam has provided hydropower to the Pacific Northwest, as well as a reliable water source for navigation, irrigation, flood mitigation, fish and wildlife, and recreation. Lake Celilo, a 24-mile long reservoir impounded by the dam, provides a large surface area available for recreation and waterfowl. Roughly 3,000 acres along the impoundment are managed by the Corps, and consist of a variety of habitats and vegetation communities. Public usage and development near Lake Celilo impacts natural resources, necessitating monitoring to inform management decisions, especially as invasive plants increase in abundance. Natural resources management prescriptions will support the Corps Environmental Stewardship mission, which is to manage, conserve, and/or protect the natural and cultural resources at Corps operating projects, consistent with: project authorities, ecosystem sustainability approaches, USACE Environmental Operating Principles, environmental laws and regulations.

Public Benefit:
The results of this study are essential to guide natural resource management decisions affecting resource protection into the foreseeable future. The primary objectives of this study will be to protect special status species from the threat of invasive species and develop objectives for priority ecological communities for habitat restoration that remove or control invasive species using appropriate natural resource management prescriptions. The public will benefit from the identification, protection and restoration of these critical habitats for special status species as well as additional native fauna and flora so that these lands will continue to provide natural ecosystem functions and services for future generations.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work:
The project design will utilize available aerial photographs, on-the-ground global positioning and current, standard plant and avian keys at The Dalles Project to complete a comprehensive inventory of plant and bird species 3,000 acres of project lands and delineate the ecological communities. Additionally, the inventory will identify the presence, locations, coverage and habitat quality of terrestrial state and federal threatened and endangered species (special status species) and invasive, nuisance and noxious species within delineated ecological communities. Data will be entered into a GIS database to be provided by The Dalles Project. GIS maps will be
generated to show a detailed, scaled overview of Project ecosystems, species habitats, and habitat conditions.
The objectives of the proposed research effort include:
Objective 1 – Implement scientifically rigorous surveys to inventory and identify to species resident birds and plants and their habitats, including native and non-native and invasive, threatened and endangered, noxious and nuisance plants on 3,000 acres of project lands.
Objective 2 – Delineate and identify dominant ecological communities, including abiotic components on 3,000 acres of project lands;
Objective 3 – Assess the status, health, and viability of resident avian and plant populations, and their habitats, including special status species, as well as biological diversity, and environmental health of ecological communities on 3,000 acres on The Dalles Project;
Objective 4 – Provide qualitative and quantitative information about the identity, location, and abundance of state and federal classified invasive and noxious species within dominant ecological communities.

Vendor Requirements:
Candidates must be non-Federal partners of the Pacific Northwest CESU Unit willing to accept the nationally negotiated CESU Indirect Cost Rate of 17.5%. The skills required are summarized in the following list:

  • Successful candidates should have expert knowledge and understanding of ecosystem dynamics within the sagebrush-steppe communities of The Dalles area and a record that demonstrates applied research and survey experience with plant and avian species.
  • The successful candidates will be organized and skilled in taking notes in the field.
  • The candidates will have training and experience with mapping vegetation features from aerial photographs and conducting ground surveys of vegetation communities, experience digitizing and editing in ESRI software and using Trimble GPS units. GIS will be used to add features to an existing database. These features will identify the location of plant and bird species in The Dalles Project.
  • The candidates will utilize appropriate, verifiable standard sampling techniques and accepted sampling protocols. Candidates will be required to submit a Statement of Work and Work Plan regarding the research to be conducted. The candidates will also be required to submit three (3) quarterly status reports and one (1) annual report each year of the contract. As practicable, successful recipients will upload GIS data and metadata onto the Corps GIS database on a regular basis to ensure regular QA/QC.

Government Participation:
Portland District will participate in meetings to design the work plan, select variables and methods, and field activities as appropriate. Portland District will provide go / no-go guidance as required. Portland District will also provide technical review and input regarding data analysis and conclusions for summary reports. Portland District will insure wide dissemination of data and study results for local, state, federal, and academic use.

Note: A proposed budget is NOT requested at this time.
Materials Requested for Statement of Interest/Qualifications:
Please provide the following via e-mail attachment to: Deberay.R.Carmichael@usace.army.mil
(Maximum length: 2 pages, single-spaced 12 pt. font).
1. Name, Organization and Contact Information
2. Brief Statement of Qualifications (including):
a. Biographical Sketch;
b. Relevant past projects and clients with brief descriptions of these projects;
c. Staff, faculty or students available to work on this project and their areas of expertise;
d. Any brief description of capabilities to successfully complete the project you may wish to add (e.g. equipment, laboratory facilities, greenhouse facilities, field facilities, etc.).

Review of Statements Received: Based on a review of the Statements of Interest received, an investigator or investigators will be invited to prepare a full study proposal. Statements will be evaluated based on the investigator’s specific experience and capabilities in areas related to the study requirements. Additionally, the evaluation method and selection criteria for research and development awards must be:
(1) The Technical merits of the proposed research and development; and (2) Potential relationship of the proposed research and development to Corps of Engineers missions.

Please send responses or direct questions to:
Deberay R. Carmichael
U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
ERDC Contracting Office (ECO)
3909 Halls Ferry Road
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Deberay.R.Carmichael@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: Review of Statements of Interest will begin after the SOI has been posted on the CESU website for 10 working days.

Posted 5-14-2018.