CR-365072

Under the FFY2024 UC Programmatic contract, which follows contract 91446, the UCSRB will provide Core Services as described below:

3/12/2024 - Contract change request - added milestone in WE B for indirect rate development preparation. Budget adjustment to add subcontract.

1. Provide Executive Level and regional/ Upper Columbia (UC) Programmatic management, coordination and facilitation with BPA among project sponsors, Action Agency (AA) partners and others through 1:1 dialogue with the Watershed Action Teams (WATs), Methow Restoration Council (MRC), and regional Implementation Team (IT), and through partnership with the regional Technical Team (RTT).
2. With BPA, adaptively manage the UC Programmatic proposal solicitation process and any associated documentation (e.g., Sponsor / BPA-Engineering & Technical Services (ETS)/ BPA-Environmental Compliance (EC) guidance, application materials, etc.) to ensure alignment with regional Prioritization data and tool outputs.
3. Use the FFY23 Programmatic proposal period (October 2023-May 2024) to identify quality projects for potential BPA funding. Beginning with this FFY23 contract, the RTT will be solely responsible for input on the potential biological benefit of proposed actions due to a shift in UCSRB Science Program service capability.
4. Review proposals for strategic alignment with Programmatic goals & objectives; regional Prioritization; risk; the potential for partner contribution(s), along with consideration of RTT review (#5)
5. Coordinate RTT review/ comment on new Programmatic projects prior to-at 15%, and review for biological benefit at 30% design, with potential for added review-scoring at permit-ready or final design.
6. Provide on-call technical support for specific BPA requests (e.g., water resources-related inquiries, prioritization information, data transfer)
7. Assist BPA with Programmatic portfolio coordination, management, and forecasting and provide contract development support to the HAL as needed/ requested.
8. Develop reports (monthly summaries, quarterly status reports, annual non-technical reports / other)
9. Coordinate any needs for maintenance and/or monitoring of instream structures previously constructed through the Programmatic.
10. Collaborate with BPA staff re: other "Umbrella" projects/ regions, potential use of BPA’s GIS resources, access to BPA’s RM&E Team, and access and coordination with ETS and EC staff.
11. Participate in and, if requested, convene regular project-level calls with UCSRB, BPA, sponsors, others to help ensure the portfolio of Programmatic projects is advanced in an integrated and coordinated manner.
12. With BPA, engage in any requested dialogue with Council staff that may arise during the FFY24 contract period.
13. Maintain public access to Prioritization Tool and associated online-digital resources (GIS WebApp/ Maps/ Database).

In support of WE E: Regional Science Alignment, the UCSRB proposes to subcontract with BioAnalysts/ the RTT Chair to provide technical assistance and oversight of criteria and scoring for biological benefit. The UCSRB also proposes to subcontract with Aspect Consulting to provide Prioritization Tool and data hosting services and GIS/ on-call technical assistance in support of the Programmatic-Prioritization.

Personnel classifications for UCSRB staff operating under the FFY2024 contract are Executive Director (ED) and Program Manager (PM).

• Executive Director (ED)
The ED is responsible for oversight of UCSRB operations and will work closely with BPA to execute this contract. The ED will:
- Provide executive oversight of the Programmatic and compliance, including financial reporting, contract management, voucher submission and coordination with BPA.
- Facilitate implementation of the Programmatic through internal coordination with the UCSRB BOD and staff and external collaboration with regional partners.
- Identify time-sensitive issues that may affect successful implementation of Programmatic projects and communicate any thoughts to BPA.

• Program Manager - Project Administration/Policy Support (PM-A/P):
The PM-A/P acts as the primary point of contact for day-to-day Programmatic administration within the UC region. The PM-A/P will work closely with all BPA staff, 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 among BPA, the ED, RTT chair, partners, sponsors and share information as the Programmatic evolves.
- Help coordinate RTT review of Programmatic projects at key junctures.
- Adaptively manage the Programmatic and proposal solicitation process with BPA
- Help identify other priority projects for potential Programmatic funding.
- Support UCSRB-BPA contract development and compliance, including preparation of reports and presentations about the Programmatic.

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 (CRS) 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.