DRY FORK BLACKFOOT EDNA SAMPLING

Dry Fork Blackfoot eDNA Sampling STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) 1.0 Background The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Missoula Field Of�ice developed a collaborative project with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to increase the distribution and abundance of bull trout in the Blackfoot River basin. The focus of this project is to introduce translocated bull trout into previously unoccupied habitats above natural barriers. To better understand bull trout distribution and potential donor population sources in the watershed, the BLM would like to survey the Dry Fork of the North Fork of the Blackfoot River (Dry Fork) for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout environmental DNA (eDNA). Dry Fork, near Ovando, MT, is a remote, relatively large basin in the Scapegoat Wilderness Area and bull trout distribution and presence there is largely unknown. This will provide project partners with information required to make informed decisions associated with the project going forward. 2.0 Scope The BLM and project partners require the retrieval of eDNA samples from the Dry Fork Basin. Dry Fork is accessed via 6-mile hike from the Hobnail Tom Trailhead. Targeted streams include Dry Fork, Cabin Cr, Dwight Cr, Canyon Cr, Conger Cr, and several unnamed drainages covering more than 25 stream miles. 3.0 Objectives The goal of this contract is to have approximately 80 locations sampled for eDNA in the Dry Fork Basin. The Dry Fork Basis is remote, only accessed by foot or horseback, and may require the assistance of packstock. The results of this effort will provide important �ish distribution information in this remote section of the Blackfoot River watershed. 4.0 Tasks The contractor will be responsible for securing any pack horse assistance needed prior to initiation of �ield work. During the period of performance, eDNA should be collected during relatively low- water conditions (i.e. July 15th to November 1st) . The contractor is responsible for returning any government furnished property, including collected samples, immediately after completion of �ield work. The contractor is also required to provide a brief summary report detailing trail conditions encountered, intermittent stream reaches, dry sampling locations, �ish barriers, and any other pertinent information. The BLM will have the samples processed as a separate action from this contract. 5.0 Delivery The contractor shall deliver eDNA samples immediately upon completion to: Bureau of Land Management c/o Paul Scarr 3255 Fort Missoula Rd Missoula, MT 59804 The report can be emailed to pfscarr@blm.gov at a later date within the period of performance. 6.0 Government-Furnished Property -- 1 of 15 -- • If necessary, BLM can provide a Geotech pump and battery for eDNA collection. • 100 eDNA sample kits and sample envelopes. • If necessary, BLM can provide a lithium generator to charge batteries in the backcountry. 7.0 Security There are no security requirements related to this contract. 8.0 Place of Performance The place of performance is in the Dry Fork basin, near Ovando, MT. The downstream end of the project area is 6 miles by trail from the Hobnail Tom Trailhead. Completion of the summary report will be completed at the contractor’s facility. 9.0 Period of Performance The period of performance is from when the contract is awarded until September 30th, 2027. Dry Fork Blackfoot eDNA Sampling Information Packet Table of Contents Page 2……………. Background and Important Information 3……………. Project Map 4……………. Sampling locations 7……………. eDNA sampling protocol -- 2 of 15 -- Background and Important Information • eDNA sampling should be completed during relatively low-water conditions (i.e. July 15th to November 1st ). This will ensure greater accuracy in eDNA results. • BLM can provide a Geotech Geopump if necessary. The pump plus battery weighs 10- 15lbs. We only have one battery, so another battery should be acquired by the contractor or BLM can provide a portable lithium generator (approx. 50lbs) to charge batteries in the backcountry. • There is a backcountry Forest Service cabin (North Fork Cabin) located near the mouth of Dry Fork. This cabin can likely be used for food and gear storage for logistical purposes. The contractor can likely utilize the cabin facilities (kitchen, bunk beds, etc) if needed. BLM will coordinate with Seeley Ranger District to determine availability. However, because this cabin is at the mouth of the Dry Fork, it likely will not be a huge benefit as base camp. • BLM will provide 100 eDNA sampling kits. These kits are not heavy but they are bulky. Please retain and return all plastic parts from the kits because they are sterilized and reused. • Most of the sampling locations are accessible by trail and/or short bushwhack. The basin was surveyed by a BLM fisheries technician in 2025 to discern what trails were passable, locations of fish barriers, sightings of fish, etc. This report can be shared to provide contractors with recent status of trail conditions in the project area. Most of the sampling locations for this project was accessed during this effort, but the upper sampling extents of each stream are just past where the BLM fish tech made it to, so there may be relatively longer bushwhacks required to reach these locations. • We anticipate that many sampling locations will be dry, especially in the mainstem Dry Fork. Please record which sites were dry at the time of sampling. If there is surface water present upstream or downstream within 300m of the provided locations, please take a sample there with the same site ID and accurately record the alternate Lat/Long information. • The project area is in grizzly bear country. Please have available measures to properly hang or store food and carry bear spray. • The contractor is responsible for acquiring and coordinating any pack help required. There are outfitting businesses based in nearby Seel…