CR-374364

Under the FFY2025 UC Programmatic contract, which follows contract 93765, the UCSRB will provide Core Services as described below:

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 active engagement 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 and any associated documentation to ensure alignment with the regional biological strategy.
3. Facilitate and coordinate a solicitation process to identify quality projects for potential BPA funding. Coordinate RTT review, comments, and scoring on new Programmatic projects. Review proposals for strategic alignment with Programmatic goals and objectives, regional prioritization, feasibility, the potential for partner contribution(s), and RTT reviews. The RTT is responsible for input (scoring) on the potential biological benefit of proposed actions due to a shift in UCSRB Science Program service capability.
4. Provide on-call technical support for specific BPA requests (e.g., water resources-related inquiries, prioritization information, data transfer).
5. Assist BPA with Programmatic portfolio coordination, management, and forecasting, and provide contract development support to the HAL and COR, as requested.
6. Develop reports (monthly summaries, quarterly status reports, annual non-technical reports).
7. Coordinate regular project-level calls and site visits with UCSRB, BPA, and sponsors to ensure the portfolio of Programmatic projects is advanced in an integrated and coordinated manner.
8. Coordinate implementation of the Recovery Plan, including but not limited to: adaptative management, outyear planning via the implementation schedule, facilitating the Implementation Team (IT), and participating in regional coordination and information dissemination through the Watershed Action Teams (WATs) and RTT.
9. Support the development of reports, tools, and data to support regional coordination that is in alignment with the Upper Columbia Region Programmatic Habitat Narrative Proposal and the Upper Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan.
10. With BPA, engage in any requested dialogue with Council staff that may arise during the FFY25 contract period.
11. Provide regional technical coordination and support of the Programmatic through management and updates to the Prioritization Tool, and through leadership of the Monitoring and Data Management Committee. Maintain public access to the Prioritization Tool and other online-digital resources (GIS WebApp/ Maps/ Database).
12. 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 a GIS expert 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 FFY2025 contract are Executive Director (ED), Program Manager (PM), and Science Coordinator (SC).

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 Board of Directors and staff and external collaboration with the IT, WATs, and RTT.
•  Identify and rectify time-sensitive issues that may affect successful implementation of Programmatic projects and communicate any issues to BPA.

Program Manager (PM): The PM acts as the primary point of contact for day-to-day Programmatic administration within the UC region. The PM 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.
•  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 regional coordination through active participation in the RTT, IT, and WATs. Support compilation of data and information to support adaptative management, monitoring, and an integrated recovery approach. All activities will be in alignment with the Upper Columbia Region Programmatic Habitat Narrative Proposal and the Upper Columbia Spring Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Plan.
•  Support UCSRB-BPA contract development and compliance, including preparation of reports and presentations about the Programmatic.

Science Coordinator (SC): The SC is responsible for technical coordination and support of the Programmatic through management and updates to the Prioritization Tool, and through leadership of the Monitoring and Data Management Committee (MaDMC). The SC is responsible for maintaining public access to the Prioritization Tool and other online-digital resources (GIS WebApp, maps, data, and reports).

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.