Rio Grande NF Macroinvertebrate Analysis

Rio Grande National Forest Macroinvertebrate Sample Processing and Analysis Statement of Work The Rio Grande National Forest, CO is seeking professional contractor services to process and analyze macroinvertebrate samples collected in lotic environments. Work shall be completed by an individual(s) in the field of entomology and focused on the Rocky Mountain region. Up to 24 quantitative samples collected in 2026 and 2027 need to be picked and analyzed and QA/QC measures must be taken to ensure that all insects are accounted for in the samples. The contractor will be required to process and analyze samples as described below at their own facility. No contractor work will be performed on USFS lands. Scope of work: (processing/analysis of up to 24 macroinvertebrate samples). The Contractor shall: • Sort, identify, and enumerate aquatic macroinvertebrate samples. One kick net sample (1 minute) taken from fast-water units make up each sample. • The contractor shall process the benthic macroinvertebrate samples to the standards of the method described in the Standard Operating Procedure for Laboratory Identification and Enumeration by Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment (2017). • Process Description: Samples are prepared for identification by sorting the macroinvertebrates from sediment and debris, and placing the organisms into labeled vials containing ethanol. Samples are rinsed to remove ethanol preservative and placed into processing trays. The processing trays are marked with a grid pattern totaling 15 cells that are the same size and are numbered. The sample is agitated in the tray to evenly distribute the material among the grids. • All 15 grids are processed (a whole sample) unless excessive numbers of organisms are present. If excessive numbers are found, one of the grids chosen at random will be picked (1/15 subsample fraction). If at least 300 organisms are found after picking the entire grid subsample, picking is considered complete. If less than 300 organisms are found, processing will continue by picking another randomly chosen grid subsample. Additional grids will be picked, if necessary, until the 300-organism count is reached. If the 300-organism count is reached during the sorting of any single grid subsample, picking is continued until that entire fraction has been picked. All material from each randomly selected grid is removed from the tray and transferred to a large picking tray for processing. • All organisms processed in the subsample are placed in a separate vial and labeled according to the number of grids picked. When sub-sampling, the entire sample is also processed for any large or rare organisms, which are placed in a separate vial labeled 100% Large/Rare. Vials are filled with an ethanol preservative. • The taxonomist empties a vial into a glass dish and places it under a dissecting microscope. All individuals are counted and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level using the most current taxonomic literature and returned to the vial containing the ethanol preservative. Both larvae and pupae Chironomids (midges) are identified to genus or species group using the appropriate taxonomic -- 1 of 3 -- references. In certain instances, early instars or specimens in poor condition may only be identified to subfamily or tribe. Oligochaetes (worms) are identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level using the appropriate taxonomic references. Identifications and counts are recorded on data benchsheets. • A QA/QC check is performed on 10% of the picked/sorted samples. This involves a second person checking over the processed/picked samples to ensure that no more than 5% of the total organisms originally picked from a sample are missed. If more than 5% of the total organisms that were originally picked are found, samples are then re-picked until less than 5% of the original total are missed. Identifications and organism counts are verified by another taxonomist to ensure data accuracy. When necessary, specimens of a particular taxonomic group are sent to recognized experts for taxonomic verification purposes. • Samples may be delivered to the contractor as available throughout the year but primarily will be between August-October annually. • Include shipping costs in the estimate. • Include cost per site for Colorado MMI metric at up to 24 samples over two years. (Cost per site). QA/QC MEASURES INCLUDED BY THE CONTRACTOR: A QA/QC check is performed on 10% of the picked/sorted samples. This involves a second person checking over the processed/picked samples to ensure that no more than 5% of the total organisms originally picked from a sample are missed. If more than 5% of the total organisms that were originally picked are found, samples are then re-picked until less than 5% of the original total are missed. Identifications and organism counts are verified by another taxonomist to ensure data accuracy. When necessary, specimens of a particular taxonomic group are sent to recognized experts for taxonomic verification purposes. Deliverables: • The sample data and QA/QC results will be submitted in by the contractor in three forms: 1) a spreadsheet on hardcopy 2) an electronic form of the spreadsheet compatible with Microsoft Access (i.e. Excel) 3) an electronic copy attached to an e-mail. Any appended data must be resubmitted in the previously described hardcopy and electronic forms. The contractor must provide follow-up technical communication to the USFS concerning results by phone or email. The turnaround time for this project will be 3 months or less from the final sample delivery of the current year. -- 2 of 3 -- • Picked organisms will be preserved by site and delivered to the Forest Service: RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST 1803 WEST HWY 160 MONTE VISTA CO 81144 -- 3 of 3 --