Description
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region Seven (7), Alaska, intends to award a sole source, firm-fixed price procurement to Bernard K. Schroeder Consulting. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region Seven (7), Alaska requires the sevices of modifying marine radar equipment, mobile set up of marine radar equipment and training to U.S. Fish & Wildlife employees on identifying and tracking Kittlitz's Murrelet. Bernard Schroeder from Bernard K. Schroeder Consulting (BKSC) is an expert in conducting marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) population monitoring in remote locations of British Columbia. He has unique expertise in the use of ornithological radar for monitoring movement patterns and populations of the marbled murrelets; a similar species to the Kittlitz's murrelet. He also uses ornithological radar for assessing bird use at proposed wind power facilities. During his work, he has instructed and certified surveyors for conducting marbled murrelet radar, nesting activity, habitat, and vegetation surveys on behalf of the British Columbia Provincial Resources Inventory Standards Committee (RISC), Forestry Continuing Studies Network (FCSN), Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and the University of Victoria in Canada and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hamer Environmental in the United States. BKSC will provide modifications to the AFWFO radar scanner and chassis for the purpose of ornithological radar work focused on the Kittlitz's murrelets and birds in the vicinity of wind power facilities. Equipment will be calibrated to be consistent with other modified marine radar systems in use on the coast of British Columbia for the purpose of surveying murrelet populations since 1995. BKSC has done similar modifications to marine radar systems for agencies such as the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, and the University of Northern British Columbia. Work description: Objective 1: Modify USFWS-owned radar system for use in murrelet surveys1) Modify the radar scanners and chassis for the purpose of radar survey work focused on Kittlitz's murrelets. The modifications consist of disassembling the radar scanner units (both 6 and 4-ft) and adjusting the scanner internally to an inclined angle of 25 in order to utilize the full vertical beam width above horizon; changing the radar's chassis mount to adapt to a steel tripod and allow adjustment of the chassis and scanner from 0 to 180 for the ability to observe number of individuals, movement patterns and measure ground speeds as well as measuring altitudes.2) Tune and calibrate the system for conducting murrelet and other bird surveys. Calibration of radar power, gain and other settings will be conducted in the lab and field to ensure that sensitivity and accuracy of the unit is comparable to other modified radar systems currently in use for murrelet and bird-wind power related surveys in Canada and Washington. Objective 2: Train USFWS personnel in the use of radar for conducting murrelet and other bird surveys.1) Train AFWFO personnel in the use of radar for murrelet and other bird surveys, including how to identify and quantify murrelet and other bird targets on radar, how to maximize accuracy of surveys, how to measure speed and direction of bird targets on screen, how to deploy and use the system in remote camp situations or on small vessels at sea, how to choose appropriate observation locations, how to deal with weather conditions and how weather influences radar accuracy, review power requirements and options for remote operations, how to package and transport radar equipment for helicopter travel, and how to ensure safe radar operation and safe battery storage and transportation. Deliverables: 1) A modified Furuno radar system that is ready for use in surveys of murrelets and other birds in Alaska. 2) A written Standard Operating Procedure for the radar scanner assembly and its use for conducting murrelet surveys. This document will include setup of the radar mount, description of parts, and operational instructions. 3) The contractor will provide study materials for the 4 day training course. This notice is not a request for competitive proposals and the Government does not intend to accept proposals received. See Numbered Note 22.