Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 31, 2008 FBO #2257
SOLICITATION NOTICE

B -- Avian Predation - Ongoing work to evaluate the impacts of Avian Predation on Salmonid Smolts from the Columbia and Snake Rivers

Notice Date

1/29/2008
 

Notice Type

Solicitation Notice
 

NAICS

541712 — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
 

Contracting Office

US Army Engineer District, Walla Walla, 201 N. Third Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362-1876
 

ZIP Code

99362-1876
 

Solicitation Number

W912EF08R0023
 

Response Due

2/14/2008
 

Archive Date

4/14/2008
 

Point of Contact

Clarence Miller, 509-527-7215
 

E-Mail Address

Email your questions to US Army Engineer District, Walla Walla
(clarence.a.miller@usace.army.mil)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

SOL: W912EF-08-R-0023 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, CENWW, 201 North 3rd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362, intends to issue a Sole Source Firm Fixed Price Base plus three option Periods award to OSU-Cooperative Fish an d Wildlife Unit to provide continuing ongoing work to evaluate the impacts of Avian Predation on Salmonid Smolts from the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Under the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 2006 Draft Remand BiOP Avian Predation Proposed Action ; the Corps of Engineers has an obligation to provide the region with information on the impacts of predation on juvenile salmonids and whether management actions are warranted. The installation of new spillway passage weirs on the Snake River, delayed st art of juvenile fish transportation programs, will likely increase the impacts of avian predation on juvenile salmonids; particularly selective predation on steelhead. The OSU-Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit has been conducting this research since 1997 and is a sole source that has developed specific knowledge of PIT tag deposition rates on Crescent and Foundation Islands, cormorant social attraction methods, Caspian tern and cormorant monitoring technizues, cormorant nesting platforms, PIT tag recovery techniques, bio-energetic modeling, stock-specific predation rate analysis, PIT tag detection efficiency methodology, PIT tag deposition rates, kleptoparasitism rates, and smolt vulnerability analysis. This study is ongoing and it is essential to maintai n study continuity. The statutory authority for permitting other than full and open competition for this requirement, 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), and implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), which authorizes other than full and open competition when there is only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The proposed contract features a base year and three option years. CONTRACTOR SERVICES: SCOPE OF WORK  CY2008 Scope of Work  FY2008 1. Proje ct Title: Evaluate the Impacts of Avian Predation on Salmonid Smolts from the Columbia and Snake Rivers 2. Appropriation: Construction General, Columbia River Fish Mitigation Program 3. Purpose and Scope: Research is needed to evaluate t he impact of avian predation on salmonid smolts from Caspian terns on Crescent Island and Double-crested cormorants on Foundation Island located below the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers. In 2006, the Crescent Island tern colony consisted of a pproximately 448 breeding pairs and the Foundation cormorant colony consisted of approximately 360 breeding pairs. Salmonid smolts represented about 68%, 70%, 65%, and 65% of the tern diet on Crescent Island in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006 which is signific antly higher than East Sand Island at 24%, 17%, 23%, and 32% during the respective years. Consumption of both Snake and Columbia River juvenile salmonids by the Crescent Island tern colony was estimated at approximately 440,000, 470,000, and 440,000 smolts in 2003, 2004, and 2005. These are minimum consumption estimates and do not include kleptoparasitism by the California gull colony surrounding the Crescent Island tern colony. Snake River steelhead incurred the highest predation rate at 34.7% and 16.7% i n 2004 and 2005 when corrected for PIT tag collision, detection efficiency, and PIT tag deposition. It is important to note that these are minimum predation rates based on the proportion of PIT-tagged smolts last detected at Lower Monumental Dam and subse quently recovered on the Crescent Island tern colony. As identified in the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 2006 Draft Remand Biological Opinion (BiOp) Proposed Actions (PA), and the 2007 Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) Biologic al Assessment (BA), the long term goal for Crescent Island Caspian terns and Foundation Island cormorants is to determine the impact of predation on juvenile sa lmonids and whether management actions are warranted. The Corps also plans to develop and implement an avian management plan for Corps-owned lands, including avian colonies on Crescent Island, and associated shallow-water habitat. The primary objectiv e of this plan will be to improve Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed anadromous fish survival for fish rearing and migrating through the lower Snake and Columbia rivers. The installation of new spillway passage weirs on the Snake River, delayed st art of the juvenile fish transportation program, and efforts to leave more fish migrating inriver, may increase the impacts of avian predation on juvenile salmonids; particularly selective predation on steelhead. The ability to determine the impact of avia n predation on juvenile salmonids from Caspian terns and cormorants on Crescent Island and Foundation Island require specific techniques and methodologies, analysis procedures, and equipment in order to maintain continuity of data and regional acceptabilit y of the work. This includes specific knowledge of (PIT tag deposition rates on Crescent and Foundation Islands, cormorant social attraction methods, Caspian tern and cormorant monitoring techniques, cormorant nesting platforms, PIT tag recovery technique s, bio-energetic modeling, stock-specific predation rate analysis, PIT tag detection efficiency methodology, PIT tag deposition rates, kleptoparasitism rates, and smolt vulnerability analysis). 4. OSU Obligation: a. The Oregon State U niversity (OSU) - US Geological Service Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, shall conduct the following research objectives. All work described shall be conducted in the 2008-2009 calendar year, with the exception of the draft and final re ports. Objective 1: The OSU shall research, monitor, and evaluate predation on salmonid smolts by Caspian terns on the Columbia Plateau. Task 1.1. The OSU shall determine colony size, habitat use, nesting success, and fact ors limiting colony size and nesting success of the Caspian tern colony on Crescent Island. Multiple counts will be conducted in order to calculate 95% confidence limits for the estimate of the number of breeding pairs. Data will also be collected on gul l kleptoparasitism rates on terns, disturbance rates to the tern colony, predation rates on tern nests, and other causes of tern nesting failure in order to evaluate those factors that limit nesting success at the Crescent Island Caspian tern colony. <B R> Task 1.2. The OSU shall determine diet composition and consumption of juvenile salmonids by Caspian terns nesting on Crescent Island. The taxonomic composition of the diet of Caspian terns nesting on Crescent Island will be determined by direct observation of adults as they return to the colony with fish. The OSU shall identify prey salmonid species as salmon or steelhead and estimate annual smolt consumption for the Crescent Island Caspian tern colony using the bio-energetic modeling ap proach (95% confidence intervals will be calculated for estimates of smolt consumption by terns). Task 1.3. The OSU shall determine species and stock-specific predation rates on juvenile salmonids from the Snake and Columbia rivers by Caspian terns nesting on Crescent Island using derived estimates from bio-energetic modeling and PIT tags recovered from the island. The OSU shall detect and recover PIT tags from the Crescent Island tern colony in August using previously established methods to e stimate PIT tag detection efficiency and deposition rates in order to determine species and stock specific predation rates (95% confidence intervals will be calculated for estimates of predation by terns). To measure PIT tag detection efficiency, OSU shall sow PIT tags in four discrete plots on four different locations on Crescent Island. Detection efficiency estimates will be calculated relative to the so wing date and plot, thereby describing both temporal and spatial variation in detection efficiency. Task 1.4. The OSU shall determine how various biotic and abiotic factors are associated with differences in smolt vulnerability t o predation on Snake River steelhead by Crescent Island Caspian terns. Steelhead will be collected from the Smolt Monitoring Sample at Lower Monumental Dam and Ice Harbor dams April-July. Steelhead will also be collected from the Chelan County PUD - Rock Island Dam by-pass facility in May. The recorded condition of a fish will be attached to a specific tag code and vulnerability to avian predation will be evaluated using PIT tag recovery data collected from the avian bird colonies. The desired weekly samp le is 500 fish per week from the lower Snake River and 900 per week from the mid-Columbia River. The OSU shall conduct a pilot study whereby a sub-sample of the steelhead used in this study are screened to evaluate fish pathology and whole body chemist ry as a measure of fish health. Both lethal and non-lethal screening techniques will be investigated through collaborative work with U.C. Davis/NOAA Fisheries and USGS. Screening will be conducted using established protocols. In addition to biotic fa ctors, OSU shall investigate how abiotic factors are associated with differences in smolt vulnerability to predation by piscivorous water birds. OSU shall investigate abiotic factors including water temperature, inflow, outflow, spill levels, spill durat ion, and turbidity. OSU will determine differences in predation rates associated with fish length, weight, condition, origin, abundance, and release date. OSU will continue to work collaboratively with NOAA Fisheries to utilize existing and future t elemetry data from tags collected on Crescent and Foundation Islands. Data acquired recovery of acoustic and radio tags may be sufficient to determine whether smolt travel times, migration behavior, and passage histories are associated with vulnerability to predation. Task 1.5. The OSU shall detect the formation of new Caspian tern colonies on the Columbia Plateau and investigate colony size, habitat use, nesting success and factors limiting colony size and nesting success of incipient tern colo nies. Task 1.6. The OSU shall asses the inter-colony movements, survival, and average age of first reproduction of Caspian terns banded at breeding colonies throughout the western United States. The OSU will assess the relationship between mana gement related changes in the size and productivity of colonies in the Columbia River estuary and changes in recruitment and reproductive success at colonies on the Columbia Plateau. Objective 2: The OSU shall research, monitor, and evaluate predat ion on salmonid smolts by double-crested cormorants on the Columbia Plateau. Task 2.1. The OSU shall determine colony size, habitat use, nesting success, and factors limiting colony size and nesting success of the double-crested cormorant colony o n Foundation Island. Task 2.2. The OSU shall determine diet composition and consumption of juvenile salmonids by double-crested cormorants nesting on Foundation Island. The OSU will collect diet samples that are spontaneously regurgitated by ne sting adults and their young and by lethal sampling of adults for stomach analysis (provided permission by the USFWS). These data will be used to determine the proportion of the diet that consist of salmonids, to estimate the total number of juvenile salm onids consumed based on calculations using a bioenergetics model, and to estimate predation rates on smolts based on numbers of juvenile salmonids available as potential prey in each migration year. Task 2.3 The OSU shall determine species and st ock-specific predation rates on juvenile salmonids from the Snake and Columbia rivers by double-crested cormorants nesting on Foundation Island using two indepe ndently-derived estimates of predation. Predation estimates will be derived from PIT tag evaluations and compared to consumptions estimates using bio-energetic modeling. The OSU shall construct nesting platforms on Foundation Island and encourage cormora nt nesting on the platforms to enhance the ability to detect PIT tags egested by nesting cormorant colony on Foundation Island. The OSU shall calculate PIT tag detection efficiencies on Foundation Island. Task 2.4 The OSU shall determine how vari ous biotic and abiotic factors are associated with differences in smolt vulnerability to predation by Foundation Island cormorants. Steelhead will be collected from the Smolt Monitoring Sample at Lower Monumental Dam and Ice Harbor dams April-July. Steel head will also be collected from the Chelan County PUD - Rock Island Dam by-pass facility in May. The recorded condition of a fish will be attached to a specific tag code and vulnerability to avian predation will be evaluated using PIT tag recovery data co llected from the avian bird colonies. The desired weekly sample is 500 fish per week from the lower Snake River and 900 per week from the mid-Columbia River. The OSU shall conduct a pilot study whereby a sub-sample of the steelhead used in this study a re screened to evaluate fish pathology and whole body chemistry as a measure of fish health. Both lethal and non-lethal screening techniques will be investigated through collaborative work with U.C. Davis/NOAA Fisheries and USGS. Screening will be conduc ted using established protocols. In addition to biotic factors, OSU shall investigate how abiotic factors are associated with differences in smolt vulnerability to predation by piscivorous water birds. OSU shall investigate abiotic factors including water temperature, inflow, outflow, spill levels, spill duration, and turbidity. OSU will determine differences in predation rates associated with fish length, weight, condition, origin, abundance, and release date. OSU will continue to work collabo ratively with NOAA Fisheries to utilize existing and future telemetry data from tags collected on Crescent and Foundation Islands. Data acquired recovery of acoustic and radio tags may be sufficient to determine whether smolt travel times, migration behav ior, and passage histories are associated with vulnerability to predation. Task 2.5 The OSU shall detect the formation of new double-crested cormorant colonies on the Columbia Plateau and investigate colony size, habitat use, nesting success, an d factors limiting nesting success of incipient cormorant colonies. The OSU shall conduct surveys of the distribution and size of double-crested cormorant colonies on the mid-Columbia River (from the Dalles Dam to the head of Wanapum pool) and on the lowe r Snake River (from the mouth of the Clearwater River to the confluence with the Columbia River), as well as at sites off the Columbia and Snake rivers that are within foraging range of cormorants. Task 2.6 The OSU shall determine the distributio n, relative abundance, and diet composition of double-crested cormorants along the mid-Columbia River and lower Snake River up to the confluence of the Clearwater River and Snake River during the post-breeding season to assess the impacts of predation by o ver-wintering cormorants on residual fall Chinook salmon. If significant numbers of foraging cormorants are found at sites where Snake River fall Chinook smolts might be vulnerable to cormorant predation during the post-breeding season, then OSU will atte mpt to lethally collect up to 10 adult or juvenile cormorants during September-December to assess diet composition and the prevalence of fall Chinook in the diet. Objective 3: The OSU shall research, monitor, and evaluate predation on salmonid smolts by other piscivorous waterbirds on the Columbia Plateau. This objective is limited in scale and there shall not be a significant incremental cost associ ated with this objective because these data will be collected while collecting similar data outlined in objectives 1 and 2. Task 3.1 The OSU shall detect PIT tags at selected gull colonies and at the Badger Island American white pelican colony as a means to evaluate relative predation rates on juvenile salmonids. Task 3.2 The OSU shall determine species and stock-specific (where feasible) predation rates on juvenile salmonids from the Snake and Columbia rivers by other piscivorous waterb ird colonies on the Columbia Plateau. Following the nesting season, PIT tags will be recovered from study plots and PIT tag detection efficiencies will be calculated. Task 3.3 The OSU shall investigate how various biotic and abiotic factors are a ssociated with differences in smolt vulnerability to other avian predators nesting on the Columbia Plateau. The same methods and analytical approach described in Task 1.4 will be used for other species of piscivorous waterbirds (i.e. select gulls and the Badger Island American white pelican colony). b. Schedule: Funding is authorized to conduct the activities through February 28, 2009. This Scope of Work provides no guarantee of future funding for work proposed beyond February 28, 2009. E vents may occur which change the projected test design. No changes to the proposed research effort will occur without prior approval by the Contracting Officer and coordinated though the District AFEP Coordinator, Mr. Marvin Shutters (509-527-7249) or Mr. Scott Dunmire (509-527-7238), who will coordinate the changes through the appropriate chain of command within the Corps, including consultation with other involved groups as necessary. The Contractor shall submit monthly invoices to the Corps ( original and two copies) to the Department of the Army, USACE Finance Center  TOBO200, 5270 Integrity Dr., Millington, TN 38054-5005. c. Pre-Season Schedule: A project coordination meeting shall be completed prior to April 30, 2008 and be coordi nated through Mr. Scott Dunmire. d. Field Schedule: The contractor shall prepare to begin research activities by early March. The contractor shall provide a monthly schedule of field activities to Mr. Scott Dunmire (509) 527-7238 for distribution . Events may occur which change the projected monthly schedule. Any changes to the proposed Scope of Work must be negotiated through Mr. Scott Dunmire who will coordinate changes through the District AFEP Coordinator, Mr. Marvin Shutters (509-527-7249).< BR> e. Deliverables: Reporting will be required on a monthly basis during each research period. This report is intended to note any particular problems encountered, any specific project services required, or any changes proposed for discussion with t he District AFEP Coordinator (Mr. Shutters). The report shall be submitted to Mr. Dunmire at 509-527-7238 or sent by e-mail to mailto:Scott.T.Dunmire@usace.army.mil An oral presentation of the 2008 field season effort, including preliminary data an alysis and discussion, will be required at the annual Research Review meeting hosted by the Portland District during fall, 2008. A short summary report is requested for the review meeting. Presentations at the Corps AFEP Technical Studies Review Work Gro up meetings are required (tentatively scheduled for May). Other oral or written presentations may be requested if necessary to involve coordination groups such as Avian Predation Workshops and the Corps Fish Facility Design Review Work Group. A pre liminary report of findings will be submitted by 15 October 2008 to the Mr. Scott Dunmire for review and distribution to Northwestern Division AFEP team members and to interested federal, state and tribal fishery agencies. After a 30-day review period by the AFEP Studies Review Work Group, a final annual report, suitable for reproduction, will be submitted to the District AFEP Coordinator by 28 February 2009. T he annual report will be a concise synopsis of findings and will focus on data gathered and results of analysis. Methodologies, techniques, and pertinent field (operational) observations will be included. The Corps will not accept a final report if draft review comments are not directly responded to by the principal investigators. It is requested that publication of any results of this research in an internal or refereed document show acknowledgment of the Corps funding and participation. The Cor ps supports publication of this research effort after review of the manuscript. The OSU will supply a monthly expenditure report. This will consist of two parts. The first part will be submitted by the 20th of each month and will consist of an est imate of expenditures through the end of the current month. The second part will be a record of actual monthly expenditures. The second part will be submitted to the Corps by the 10th of each month for the previous month. 5. Coordination: All co ordination involving research objectives and the biological test plan will be conducted between the principal investigator and the District point of contact (Mr. Dunmire) or District AFEP Coordinator (Mr. Shutters). Project specific coordination will be c onducted by the principal investigator through the District point of contact. 6. Conditions: a. Equipment: All non-expendable equipment purchased under this work order will remain the property of the Corps. All invoices for purchas es of non-expendable equipment must be submitted to the District AFEP coordinator within two weeks of purchase for proper inventory control and to issue District bar codes for placement on the non-expendable items. Final payment will not be made if the pr operty inventory has not been completed. b. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Permits: Unless otherwise approved by the Corps, prior to initiating work under the terms of this Memorandum of Agreement it is the responsibility of OSU to obtain any permits which may be required by the ESA, 16 U.S.C. Section 1531 et. seq. In the event such a permit is denied for the research work contemplated by this agreement, the Corps may terminate this work order in whole or part. Any work authorized and perfor med through the date of termination shall be reimbursed in accordance with paragraph 7 above. The ESA permit must be provided to the Project Biologist and the District point of contact prior to initiation of any fish handling or take. c. Fish Handling: All handling of ESA listed species must conform to the Terms and Conditions Related to FCRPS Research Projects, Special Conditions, Section 10.5.3.1, NMFS Biological Opinion (2000). ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: The solicitation w ill be available on the FedTeDS website: https://www.fedteds.gov The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541712. This is not a request for bids, but notice that our intent to issue a Sole Source solicitation for this requireme nt. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. For further information, please contact Clarence Miller at 509-527-7215 or email: Clarence.a.miller@usace.army.mil .
 

Place of Performance

Address: US Army Engineer District, Walla Walla 201 N. Third Avenue, Walla Walla WA

Zip Code: 99362-1876

Country: US
 

Record

SN01495061-W 20080131/080129230444 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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