Title
Consider recommendation from the Research & Technology Committee to approve an amendment to Contract No. 13-637-HCP with BIO-WEST, Inc., to conduct additional validation studies for the Predictive Ecological Model for the Comal and San Marcos Ecosystems Project, in an amount not to exceed $125,000.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt Resolution and Order No. 02-16-836 of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving a second amendment to Contract No. 13-637-HCP with BIO-WEST, Inc., to conduct additional validation studies for the Predictive Ecological Model for the Comal and San Marcos Ecosystems Project, in an amount not to exceed $125,000; for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,055,350, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the amendment.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Research & Technology Committee recommendation to amend Contract No. 13-637-HCP with BIO-WEST, Inc., to conduct additional validation studies for the Predictive Ecological Model project (EcoModel). During the two years the Eco Model has been active, the BIO-WEST team has constructed the fountain darter mortality component of the EcoModel utilizing mortality data based on other darter species. Although this data has been the best available data to date, the acquisition and use of in situ fountain darter mortality data will allow the BIO-WEST team to further refine the model specifically to fit the fountain darter, strengthening the validation and calibration of the model.
In addition, the fountain darter data (numbers, size-classes, habitat, etc.) collected for building the model were collected at “fixed,” non-random sites. This approach has been beneficial to developing the EcoModel; however, events that take place in the systems are random. To provide a more robust validation and calibration of the EcoModel, there is the need for in situ, randomly collected sample data. This data will provide the BIO-WEST team with the data necessary to validate and calibrate the model to reflect conditions found in the systems.
Finally, after scientific review by the National Academy of Sciences, similar recommendations to modify the sampling methods were made. Based on this information, BIO-WEST developed an amended scope of work to incorporate the recommendations.
Following are the estimated costs associated with these additional validation studies:
STUDY COMPONENT ESTIMATED COST
Fountain Darter Mortality Study $75,770
Fountain Darter Drop Net Validation Study $49,230
TOTAL AMENDMENT 2 COSTS $125,000
The draft contract amendment letter and Resolution and Order No. 02-16-836, which have both been reviewed by legal counsel, are attached.
At the January 26 meeting, the Research & Technology Committee voted to recommend the board adopt a resolution and order of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving a second amendment to Contract No. 13-637-HCP with BIO-WEST, Inc., to conduct additional validation studies for the Predictive Ecological Model for the Comal and San Marcos Ecosystems Project, in an amount not to exceed $125,000; for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,055,350, and authorizing the General Manager to execute the amendment.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
BIO-WEST, Inc., is not an M/WBE vendor.
STRATEGIC REFERENCE:
This contract is required of the Edwards Aquifer Authority to maintain compliance with the Incidental Take Permit issued by USFWS on March 18, 2013. Specifically, this contact meets the obligations of Section 6.33 of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding in the amount of $125,000 is available in the 2016 EAHCP budget.