Infrared Wild Horse Census Survey

This is a request for sources sought/request for information in the performance of the SOW below: Joint Agency Aerial Infrared Wild Horse Census Survey Statement of Work The USDA, Ochoco and Malheur National Forests, and BLM, Prineville District, plan to jointly conduct aerial Infrared (AIR) surveys to estimate the size of the wild horse populations currently on the Big Summit Wild Horse Territory (WHT) and the Murderer's Creek Joint Management Area (JMA). Surveys would be contracted and implemented through local agreements between the agencies. Initial baseline survey is proposed for February/March of 2022 for the Murderer's Creek JMA and subsequent surveys would be conducted annually as needed for management of the wild horse herds. Helicopter surveys and ground based census have been the primary methods of estimating the size of the wild horse populations. The surveys are necessary for: 1) estimating the current population of wild horses and location of the horses prior to initiating gathers, and 2) determining a post gather population estimate to ensure the agencies are making progress towards achieving Appropriate Management Levels (AML), management plan objectives for the wild horse herds, and other multiple use objectives. The work will include one platform for survey. The AIR method will include use of a contracted fixed-wing airplane equipped with cooled infrared photography and high-definition video system. With the objective of surveying 100% of the areas identified within and adjacent to the wild horse management area boundaries. Deliverables The AIR survey consists of 100% coverage of the survey areas. Line transects will be flown at 530 meter spacing with 44 meter coverage overlap. All detections (individuals and groups) of horses will be counted. Survey date TBD. Open terrain habitat types (shrub-steppe, pinion-juniper) will be covered with single transects. Forested habitat types (coniferous overstory) will be covered with a double transecting method involving transects laid out in a grid pattern. This approach was developed for horse surveys in the Ochoco National Forest and, while more time consuming, has proven to be a highly accurate and reliable survey methodology in landscapes dominated by thick, coniferous overstory. Initial survey is anticipated to take place in February or March of 2022. A final report package of collected data will be provided within two business days of the survey. Report package will include. Detection locations of all groups or individuals (20 meter accuracy) Time and date of detection. KML and .shp file with flight track and detection locations compatible with most GIS software. Representative video clip of each detection Excel spreadsheet containing all counts and classifications as requested by the custom Please contact Cyndy Armour at cynthia.armour@usda.gov in response to the sources sought/request for information. We are considering putting a Blanket Purchase Agreement together for these types of services for the next three to five years.