Management, Species, Black Abalone

STATEMENT OF WORK for XUMU448514 MGT, SPECIES, BLACK ABALONE at Vandenberg AFB, CA and related sites during FY2014-15 I. BACKGROUND Black abalone (Haliotus cracherodii) is known present in the nearshore waters of Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), and the entire VAFB coastline is designated as Critical Habitat. The Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) is under consideration for "90-day" findings and possible listing under the Endangered Species Act. There has been a recent "real property" determination changing Air Force jurisdiction/management authority at Pillar Point Air Force Station, and there is a pending change of jurisdiction at Point Conception Coast Guard Station. II. JUSTIFICATION 1. 16 U.S.C. - 1531 et seq., Endangered Species Act 2. 16 U.S.C. 670 et seq., Sikes Act and Sikes Act Improvement Act: Military installations are required to manage for natural resources on military lands as discussed within an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) signed by the Installation Commander, and endorsed by the USFWS and California Department of Fish and Game. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is also a required endorsement agency in the INRMP for installations with resources managed by that agency (VAFB is subject to NMFS jurisdiction). 3. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 4715.3 Environmental Conservation Program: All DoD conservation programs shall work to guarantee continued access to our land, air, and water resources for realistic military training and testing while ensuring that the natural resources are sustained in a healthy condition for scientific research, education, and other compatible uses by future generations. 4. Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-7064, Integrated Natural Resources Management and Vandenberg Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (2011-2015), Projects D.2.1.16; D.2.2.2; and O.3.2.3. III. TASKING The Air Force requests a proposal from University of California, Santa Cruz - Long Marine Laboratory to potentially accomplish four objectives. These four proposed tasks are presented in order of importance and a cost proposal shall be included by task (all projects may not be accomplished): 1. Provide a concise report consolidating data from black abalone surveys at VAFB. This report should include maps of known presence, likely presence, suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat. It should also include discussion of population trends to the extent feasible, population and habitat threats and management recommendations. This report will likely not require significant field work, our primary objective is to consolidate and assess existing data. The report should be written in a standard "introduction, methods, discussion, results" format; 2. Conduct a survey for pinto abalone on Vandenberg, again including maps of known presence (if any), likely presence, suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat and provide a brief report similar to (likely shorter than) that described in section III-1 above; 3. Investigate species present within the nearshore intertidal waters of Pillar Point Air Force Station (San Mateo County, near Half Moon Bay, CA) and provide a brief report similar to (likely shorter than) that described in section III-1 above; 4. Analysis of what sensitive intertidal species are present at the Point Conception property, which is currently under management authority of the US Coast Guard, but is being transferred to the Air Force. Provide a brief report similar to (likely shorter than) that described in section III-1 above. Our current understanding is that nearshore waters of Point Conception are inhabited by both black and white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni); Point Conception is also specifically mentioned in the 18 November 2013 Federal Register announcement as the southernmost locality of the northern subspecies of pinto abalone. The Air Force requires a preliminary determination of what sensitive intertidal organisms are present, with a focus on sensitive and listed species. Note: Point Conception access requires transiting private land, and this requires several weeks of advance notification. IV. DELIVERABLES 1. Black abalone report. This report shall include description and maps of occupied habitat, suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat. Methods, results, discussion and management recommendations should also be included. Report not expected to exceed 20 pages (not including maps, figures and data sheets). 2. Pinto abalone report. This report shall include description and maps of occupied habitat (if any), suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat. Methods, results, discussion and management recommendations should also be included. The report should also include an informal list of all species, especially sensitive species, which are identified. Report not expected to exceed 10 pages (not including maps, figures and data sheets). 3. Pillar Point report. This report shall include description and maps of occupied habitat of sensitive species. Methods, results, discussion and management recommendations should also be included. The report should also include an informal list of all species, especially sensitive species, which are identified. Report not expected to exceed 10 pages (not including maps, figures and data sheets). 4. Point Conception report. This report shall include description and maps of occupied habitat of sensitive species. Methods, results, discussion and management recommendations should also be included. The report should also include an informal list of all species, especially sensitive species, which are identified. Report not expected to exceed 10 pages (not including maps, figures and data sheets). Although background, methods and perhaps other portions of the above reports can be repeated, the Air Force will require each report to be a "stand-alone" document. Reports will likely need to be sent to different agencies or offices. All reports shall contain maps and GIS information. Draft reports must be supplied to the 30 CES/CEIEA Project Manager for review before a final report is submitted. In general, reports would include: executive summary, introduction, goals and objectives, methods; results, discussion, management recommendations and literature cited sections; appendices would include data sheets and field protocols, appropriate raw data and GIS data. All draft reports (one electronic copy) should be submitted by email to the 30 CES/CEIEA Project Manager. Final reports should incorporate feedback received during draft review and be submitted via one hard copy and one electronic copy (CD-Rs, .doc and .pdf versions, .xls for data). All GIS data created for management of this project should be included on the CDs (.mxd files and final GIS shapefiles where all project activities occurred). V. SCHEDULE Est. Completion Action (including Deliverables) OPR/Office Symbol April 2014 Kick Off Meeting UCSC/30 CES/CEIEA April 2014 - September 2015 Data collection UCSC November 2015 Draft reports and submit drafts to CEIEA Project Manager for review UCSC December 2015 Address all comments. Submit a final copy to CEIEA. UCSC VI. PERSONNEL VAFB expects the cooperator to employ staff in sufficient number, skill, and qualification to accomplish the work as specified and on schedule. VII. SCOPE OF SERVICES/SPECIAL CONDITIONS 1. Personnel safety shall be the primary concern at all times. At no time will personnel enter hazardous areas without appropriate safety measures in place. "Hazardous areas" for this project include tidepools, the VAFB harbor, cliffsides and other coastal areas. 2. Boats, if needed, will be launched and retrieved only in accordance with guidance provided by the 30 CES/CEIEA Project Manager. 3. All deliverables are the property of VAFB. All data, materials, and equipment gathered, purchased and/or developed in the performance of the listed tasks are property of the Air Force, shall be returned to VAFB at the completion of the contract, and shall not be used and/or distributed by the contractor without specific written permission from the 30CES/CEIEA Project Manager. 4. All documents, including photographs and maps, are to be dated. Final electronic deliverables are to be in MS Word (*.doc or *.docx), Microsoft Excel (*.xlsx or *.xls), Adobe Acrobat (*.pdf), and ArcGIS (.mxd and shapefiles). 5. The contractor shall not give any news releases or conduct media interviews concerning the work performed or results thereof. All information for public release will be released by the installation Public Affairs Office (PAO). All requests for information, including those under the Freedom of Information Act, shall be directed to the 30CES/CEIEA Project Manager. Data or other findings shall not be released to media, regulators or any other entity without advance notification to and approval from the Project Manager. 6. GeoSpatial data shall be consistent with the "30th Space Wing GeoBase Spatial Data Submittal Standards" (8 Dec 2009). Polygon acquisition data should be accurate within 10 meters, unless personnel safety is a factor (i.e. do not approach cliff faces to ensure accuracy of data). 7. VAFB and 30 CES/CEANC will not provide vehicles, computers, office space or other supplies to complete the described tasks. VIII. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE All tasks must be completed between April 2014 and January 2016; a period of performance of 22 months. Contract Type ? Firm Fixed Price Time and Materials Proposals will be evaluated for detailed and innovative survey methodology, biological experience of field personnel, and ability to meet the goals of this project. IX. CONTACT INFORMATION Project Manager: Rhys Evans 30 CES/CEIEA rhys.evans@us.af.mil (805) 606-4198 Contract Specialist: Charlee Warrior 30 CONS/LGCB charlene.warrior@us.af.mil (805) 606-1507 Contracting Officer: Sean Kennedy 30 CONS/LGCB sean.kennedy@us.af.mil (805) 606-6966