CCR-44192

Through this contracting action, the contract will be extended until the end of February 2021.  Funding will be added to the budget for additional work to plan and assemble part of the proposal for the upcoming Northwest Power and Conservation Council (NPCC) and Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) Habitat Categorical Review process.

- Added funds will support the anticipated increase in UCSRB staff time that will be required to complete this task (Primarily PMs with policy-level support from the ED).
- Deliverables will include draft Categorical Review components

Funding will also be used to subcontract for new GIS-based analyses using existing LiDAR and other spatial data to fill regional Step 2/ Prioritization Data Gaps that will remain after June 30, 2020, the due date under this contract for draft Step 2 data products. For added context, draft Step 2 Products were produced using existing information with no new analyses. The RTT and Prioritization Work Group will fill Priority Step 2 data gaps with outputs from these strategic, new analyses.
- New GIS Analyses Proposed:
1. Riparian-Floodplain condition. LiDAR data and an NVDI approach will be used to fill riparian-floodplain vegetation data gaps
2. Assessment of approximately 20 barriers
3. Creation of new, updated WebMaps
4. Embedding access to the ArcGIS Online map interface for Prioritization
- Deliverables will include native GIS model, map and output files, including metadata.

A separate website-support subcontract will be used to enable retooling and building-out of the UC Prioritization Website and Data Portal to provide partners with greater, ongoing access to ArcGIS Online maps and the most up-to-date prioritization resources for the region. Prioritization and Data Portal webpage updates and site curation are necessary to sustain and improve transparent access to the important maps and synthesis products that underpin UCSRB-BPA Programmatic implementation and adaptive management.

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CR: 334423

Under this contract, the UCSRB will focus on the following services:

1. Providing Executive Level and Regional Programmatic coordination and facilitation with BPA among Programmatic project sponsors, AA partners and others through 1:1 dialogue, WAT-MRC, IT, and RTT meetings-discussions.
2. Running a Targeted Solicitation in 2020 to identify quality projects for potential BPA funding.
3. Reviewing proposals for strategic alignment with BPA goals & objectives, RTT biological benefit score, the Biological Strategy, and potential for cost-sharing, and advance robust proposals to BPA to consider for FFY2020 funding.
3. Contributing early, focused technical support to BPA-sponsors re: fish / life-history / habitat needs during Targeted application and/or concept development, and providing limited input on design at subsequent design review junctures (15%, 30%, and/or 60/80%)
4. Supporting and managing the RTT and its Prioritization subgroup, including UCSRB subcontractors, and overseeing the production of deliverables to rapidly advance development of Prioritization - Step 2 products for adaptive management-honing of the Programmatic for FFY2021, and to aid out-year project planning.
5. Initiating updates the Targeted solicitation process and Programmatic documents (e.g., Sponsor / ETS guidance, application form) to prepare for FFY2021.
6. Performing reporting (monthly summaries, quarterly status reports, annual project / other technical reporting)
7. Updating UCSRB Programmatic file documentation and catalog/repository structure, and coordinating with BPA on file transfer needs-formats-tools.
8. Starting to prepare for the NPCC 5-year review in early 20201.
9. Coordinating any needs for maintenance and/or monitoring of instream structures previously constructed through the Programmatic.
10. Ongoing consultation with BPA staff on BPA-developed prioritization frameworks, potential use of BPA’s GIS resources, access to BPA’s RM&E team, and access and coordination with ETS and EC staff.

Personnel staff classifications operating under this contract are Executive Director, Program Managers, Finance Manager and Program Assistant.

• Executive Director (ED)
The ED is responsible for oversight of day-to-day operations of the UCSRB and overall execution of this contract with BPA. The ED will work closely with BPA to:
-Facilitate implementation of the Programmatic by coordinating with UCSRB staff internally, and communicating externally with partners and managers regarding implementation and adaptive management of the Programmatic.
- Identify and respond to time-sensitive issues that affect successful implementation of habitat restoration projects and keep BPA abreast of these issues.
- Work with BPA and UCSRB staff to coordinate with partners in each of the sub-basins, the Regional Technical Team (RTT), the Implementation Team, governmental and non-governmental partners across the Upper Columbia region, and other stakeholders.
- Provide executive oversight of the Programmatic and compliance, including reporting, contract management, voucher submission and coordination with BPA.
- Serve as mediator when necessary to resolve gridlock or conflict.

• Program Manager - Project Administration/Policy Support (PM-A/P):
The PM-A/P, in very close coordination with BPA, acts as the primary point of contact for day-to-day Programmatic administration within the UC region. The PM-P/A will work closely with BPA, sponsors and partners (AA and others) to:
- Advance Programmatic-funded activities and identify and help address issues or delays.
- Play a coordination and facilitation role with BPA, partners, sponsors, RTT, PM-S/T and share guidance on the Programmatic as it evolves.
- Coordinate RTT review of Programmatic projects at key junctures participates in partner meetings
- Run and manage the Targeted Solicitation process with BPA and the Open solicitation as need to identify high-quality projects
- Assist with review of priority projects for potential Programmatic funding.
- Work directly with BPA to identify and implement any needed adjustments to the Targeted process
- Support UCSRB-BPA contract development and compliance, including preparation of reports and presentations about the Programmatic
- Document/ continue curation of current and legacy Programmatic files
- Provide general oversight of UCSRB Prioritization subcontractor timelines and deliverables.

• Program Manager - Science/Technical Support (PM-S/T):
The PM-S/T, in close coordination with BPA, serves as the primary point of contact for regional technical information, data, and Prioritization outputs that support Programmatic project development, implementation and adaptive management. The PM-S/T will:
- Help identify high quality projects within the region for BPA funding consideration.
- Contribute early, focused input on fish habitat and fish utilization and the development of appropriate biological goals and objectives for projects, and ensure they are tiered to identified limiting factors.
- Identify, help, assemble and provide reasonable habitat and fish use data and information, and summarize available data and results from similar projects to support the development of Programmatic proposals and projects.
- Provide focused design review re: alignment-maintenance of biological goals and objectives with scope as projects advance (15%, 30%, and/or 60/80%). The PM-S/T may collaborate with BPA PM/COR, BPA engineers, and BPA EC Leads re: input at these specific review junctures.
- Provide technical support and coordination to the RTT, its Prioritization Workgroup and Subcontractors to advance development of regional Habitat Action Prioritization - Step 2 outputs.
- Oversee PA data synthesis and intermediate product production, and work with the GIS subcontractor to refine Tools/Outputs at the request of the RTT/Prioritization Work Group.
- Use RTT guidance to facilitate QA/QC and feedback on draft RTT products by WATs-MRC, IT.
- Explore opportunities to develop standardized metrics/measurable objectives by project type to support discussions of biological benefit for project proposals.

• Finance Manager (FM)- Fiscal Support:
The FM will prepare and submit vouchers and supporting documents to BPA.  

• Program Assistant (PA)
The PA will work under the technical supervision of the PM-S/T and in alignment with Subcontractors on data compilation and synthesis to support interim product revisions between Work Group and RTT meetings. The PA's efforts will directly contribute to more rapid development and QA/QC of Step 2 Prioritization outputs between Work Group and RTT meetings, and meeting Prioritization deliverable milestones.

Background:
The Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board (UCSRB) coordinates with numerous federal and state agencies, county and city governments, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the State of Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB), two Tribes, local landowners and public interest groups in implementing the Upper Columbia Spring Chinook and Steelhead Recovery Plan. The purpose of this BPA Programmatic contract is to facilitate the process of targeting BPA funding towards tributary habitat restoration that contribute to the recovery of the Upper Columbia spring Chinook ESU and the Upper Columbia steelhead DPS, and provide mitigation opportunities for BPA. Funded conservation actions are prioritized, identified, and implemented through a collaborative science-based process that lead to efficient, cost-effective, and biologically beneficial on-the-ground mitigation actions.  BPA will only evaluate projects proposed for funding that have been objectively identified and prioritized by the Upper Columbia (UC) Upper Columbia Biological Strategy/Habitat Action Prioritization within the Upper Columbia River Basin. Proposed projects must also meet BPA’s responsibilities under the Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) BiOp and the Northwest Power Act; utilize the HIP III BiOp for environmental compliance (or comply with associated technical criteria); and meet BPA's objectives as outlined in its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. BPA’s participation is executed through the F&W Habitat Program and administered through the area lead structure, the respective roles and responsibilities and the conditions within this contract.