CCR-47682

Under this FFY2022 amendment to UCSRB Admin Contract 89298, resources will be added to support new work, WE K: Produce Other Report. The UCSRB PM-S/T, with ED-regional coordination-support, will develop a basic matrix and summary information with map that will depict the relationship between existing Programmatic project locations and various monitoring sites managed by UC partners. This task will help respond to an ISRP request for this information, which arose as part of the Council's 2021-2022 Anadromous Habitat & Hatchery Project Review, post start date of contract 89298. This new work will fulfill the NPCC and ISRP request for this information from the Programmatic.

CR-350017

Under this FFY2022 contract, and as a continuation of Contract 86621, the UCSRB will provide the core services outlined below. In addition, the UCSRB will provide the following enhanced services:
--Added PM-A/P Programmatic portfolio coordination, meeting management, and contract development support to the BPA Habitat Area Lead (HAL) under WE D
--Focused, early biological input on projects during 0%-15% design, under WE E
--Technical assistance to sponsors in proposal development, if needed, under WE E.  
--In support of WE E, the UCSRB proposes to contract with the BioAnalysts/ RTT chair to provide oversight and assistance to incorporate new Tier 1 Data Gap information into regional Prioritization and update the biological strategy. As part of WE E, the UCSRB also proposes to subcontract with a Prioritization expert to ensure seamless transfer of knowledge about Prioritization process and tool management to the new Science Program Manager, in order to safeguard BPA's investment in UC Prioritization and this regional resource for sponsors.

FFY22 Services include:

1. Providing Executive Level and regional Programmatic coordination and facilitation with BPA among project sponsors, Action Agency (AA) partners and others through 1:1 dialogue, Watershed Action Teams (WATs), the Methow Restoration Council (MRC), regional Implementation Team (IT), and Upper Columbia Regional Technical Team (RTT) meetings/discussions.
2. Updating the UCSRB-BPA Programmatic project solicitation process and associated documentation (e.g., Sponsor / BPA-Engineering & Technical Services (ETS)/ BPA-Environmental Compliance (EC) guidance, application materials, etc.) to incorporate updated regional Habitat Action Prioritization outputs with regard to biological benefit and reflect Programmatic adaptive management for FFY2022.
3. Potentially running a Targeted Solicitation in 2022 to identify quality, priority projects for potential BPA funding.
4. Reviewing project proposals for strategic alignment with BPA goals & objectives; the RTT/Habitat Action Prioritization biological benefit score, the Biological Strategy; and the potential for cost-sharing.
5. Providing early, focused technical input and assistance to sponsors, as needed, so that final proposals reflect SMART biological goals and objectives based on species / life-history / habitat needs so that robust proposals are advanced for FFY2022 funding consideration.
6. Contributing input to BPA ETS staff and the Habitat Area lead on fish/ potential biological benefit during early project development (concept to 15% design)
7. Contributing review-input again to BPA ETS staff and Habitat Area lead at 30% design
8. Coordinating RTT review of Programmatic projects at 15% and 30% design, and final scoring of biological benefit at 60% or 80%
9. Providing on-call technical support for specific BPA requests (e.g., water resources-related inquiries and information gathering, prioritization information, data transfer)
10. Concluding participation in the 2021-2022 NPCC anadromous habitat and hatchery categorical review process, including any enhanced communication requests-coordination needs that may arise by mid-April 2022.
11. Performing reporting (monthly summaries, quarterly status reports, annual project / other technical reporting)
12. Coordinating any needs for maintenance and/or monitoring of instream structures previously constructed through the Programmatic.
13. Collaborating with BPA staff re: other regions' Programmatic frameworks, potential use of BPA’s GIS resources, access to BPA’s RM&E Team, and access and coordination with ETS and EC staff.
14. Establishing, convening, and summarizing project-level calls with UCSRB, BPA, sponsors, others to help ensure the portfolio of Programmatic projects is advanced in an integrated and coordinated manner.

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

• Executive Director (ED)
The ED is responsible for oversight of day-to-day UCSRB operations 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 and participate in partner meetings
- Run and manage the Targeted process with BPA as need to identify high-quality projects for potential Programmatic funding.
- Assist with review of other priority projects for potential cost-share/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

• 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 UC Habitat Action 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 input on fish habitat and fish utilization to support the development of appropriate biological goals and objectives for Programmatic projects, and ensure they are tiered to identified limiting factors and UC Habitat Action Prioritization outputs.
- 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 review and input during concept development through pre-design/15%. This early input will help best align the early design process with UC Habitat Action Priorities. The PM-S/T may coordinate with project sponsors, regional engineer consultant (potential FY21 contract), BPA PM/COR, BPA engineers, and BPA EC and ETS Leads  to provide input.
- Provide biological input on 30% design to BPA ETS staff and Habitat Area Lead.
- Provide technical support and coordination to project sponsors and the RTT fully implement the  regional Habitat Action Prioritization tool.
- 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.  

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 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.