REVISED PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT 06-12-24.pdf

SECTION C – CONTRACT DOCUMENTS, EXHIBITS, OR ATTACHMENTS

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER, FISHERIES MONITORING AND ANALYSIS DIVISION ALASKA

MARINE MAMMAL OBSERVER PROGRAM

PILOT PROGRAM 2024

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis (FMA) Division collects high quality fishery-dependent information from fisheries off Alaska to manage groundfish, Pacific halibut and protected resources. Pursuant to the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS, which has the delegated responsibility and authority to manage marine mammals, is directed to assess the level and nature of marine mammal interactions with commercial fishing operations, including serious injury and mortality (SI/M). FMA will support this mission by gathering information on the effects of commercial gillnet fisheries managed by the State of Alaska on marine mammal stocks through the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP). The data will be used to produce statistically reliable estimates of bycatch to be included in annual marine mammal stock assessment reports and used to determine MMPA risk levels on the List of Fisheries.

While the main objective of the AMMOP is to obtain data to produce statistically reliable estimates of marine mammal bycatch, the 2024 scoping year will prioritize the development of monitoring methods, particularly electronic monitoring (EM). EM has the potential to be a cost effective technology that will allow the program to achieve target coverage levels. Prior to launching a full scale observer program, it will be important to ensure the capability of EM in documenting fishing effort and marine mammal interactions, and to develop efficient methods of EM implementation into the program.

The FMA Division desires to obtain sampling services and electronic monitoring technology support for the collection of fisheries data including fishing effort, gear characteristics and marine mammal and seabird interactions during an initial scoping phase in 2024 over 8 to 10 consecutive weeks during the duration of the fishery, on or about June 9th and September 29th on the commercial salmon drift gillnet fisheries operating in inland waters of Southeast Alaska.

In 2025 and 2026, the FMA Division anticipates operating the observer program each week from early June through September for a full 16 weeks.

1.2 BACKGROUND

The FMA Division plans to shift monitoring methods from a traditionally observer centric program to one that employs electronic monitoring (EM) methods. Direct observation of the fishery has historically been obtained from separate platforms requiring the program to procure vessels and boat operators in addition to fishery observers which is extremely costly. EM has been shown to be minimally intrusive to fishing operations and has the potential to document fishing effort and marine mammal interaction at a fraction of the cost of fishery observers, allowing the program to obtain higher coverage levels and more precise bycatch estimates.

While EM has been an effective method for monitoring marine mammal interaction in other gillnet fisheries, the application of EM in Southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet fisheries has not yet been proven effective. In 2023, FMA tested a prototype EM system over the course of several weeks. The unit was installed on a single gillnet vessel and deployed during fishing operations.

While installation was successful and target views were obtained, system operation at sea was unsuccessful and no image data was ultimately collected.

FMA desires to test at least two types of EM systems in 2024 and these units have already been procured from Archipelago Marine Resources. One is a hardwired system that remains on the vessel throughout the season. The second is a more portable option that is either battery powered or directly connected to vessel power via 12-volt connection. This system will need to be moved from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis. The hardwired system will limit the opportunity for user error and maximize the probability of obtaining high quality imagery while the portable system will help determine if weekly system movement will be feasible and help to develop best practices for weekly installs/uninstalls. The AMMOP will be hugely successful if EM can be incorporated into the program by random vessel selection and deployed on many different vessels rather than a select few permit holders willing to volunteer. Installation times for hardwired systems inhibit efficient weekly system changeovers.

In 2024, FMA will assess image quality quantitatively and subjectively, and in relation to other forms of data collection. Permit holders will be given log sheets for self-reporting information related to effort, gear, fishing behavior and bycatch. In addition, fishery observers will accompany EM outfitted vessels to document the same information. Fishing effort and marine mammal interaction data collected via fishery observer, via EM, and via fishers from the same trip will be compared.

AMMOP is anticipated to be fully operational in the subsequent two years (2025-26). If EM technology proves reliable in documenting marine mammal bycatch in 2024, the AMMOP would like to target at least a 10% coverage level with the majority of coverage achieved by EM systems. This may look like 8% coverage collected via EM systems and 2% collected by observers. Permit holders will be randomly selected for observation and therefore workload will fluctuate with the fluctuations in weekly fishing activity which peaks in mid July (Figure 2).

Alaska’s inland southeast gillnet fisheries are expected to hold roughly 9,500 24-hour days of active fishing. Past AMMOP years have shown that these fisheries overlap, and interact with, harbor porpoise stocks. In the 2022 Alaska Stock Assessment Report, stock structure was revised for the Southeast Alaska harbor porpoise stock, which was split into three stocks: the Northern

Southeast Alaska Inland Waters, Southern Southeast Alaska Inland Waters, and Yakutat/Southeast Alaska Offshore Waters harbor porpoise stocks (Young et al., 2023).

Obtaining coverage levels greater than the AMMOP’s previous effort of 7% is financially prohibitive through only fishery observers, even for subdivided sections coinciding with northern and southern harbor porpoise stocks. To reach target coverage levels, it will be crucial to harness new, more cost effective technologies through the implementation of EM into the program. Rather than attempting to vet EM in tandem with sampling at high coverage levels in this first year, FMA will focus on developing methods for EM implementation first to ensure a successful program that collects the data necessary for constructing statistically reliable estimates of marine mammal bycatch in future years.

1.3 SCOPE OF WORK

2024 Scoping Year - Contractor shall begin field work no later than July 7th of 2024 out of ports near Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Trials will be conducted out of Juneau because the areas of Stevens Passage, the Taku inlet and Lynn Canal in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) districts 11 and 15, experience the most gillnet participation (figure 1), and therefore have the greatest potential pool of volunteer vessels to test EM. The Government will seek volunteer participation from 10-30 volunteer gillnetters to carry EM equipment. All fishery observer work shall end by October 1, 2024. See table 1 for potential weekly workload schedule.

The objectives of the 2024 EM field trials are:

1. Obtain high quality EM imagery of gillnet hauls/sets at surface water break point that documents fishing effort and potential marine mammal and seabird interaction from several vessel/mounting configurations.

2. Document and assess the quantity of EM imagery obtained.

3. Determine the feasibility of moving (installing and uninstalling) EM units from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis and develop methods for improved logistics.

4. Determine the type of EM system best suited for the target application.

5. Assess the quality of EM data in relation to other forms of data collection.

6. Gain an understanding of fishing operations in a region of Southeast Alaska that has never been monitored under the AMMOP.

Contractor shall provide fisheries and boat operator support staff, vessels, supervision, transportation, insurance and quality control necessary to collect information on fishing effort, gear, biological samples, and marine mammal and seabird interactions. Contractor shall support installs, uninstalls, and basic maintenance of the electronic monitoring systems already obtained through AMR.

2025 - 2026 Observation Years - Contractor shall begin field work in early June on week 24 through September ending after sampling week 39. Operations will occur in Southeast Alaska ports that gain access to open drift gillnet fisheries occuring in inland waters (Figure 1). All fishing activity occurring within a 24-hour period over the course of a week beginning each Sunday at 12:01 pm will be sampled from randomly selected vessels/permit holders.

The objectives of the AMMOP are:

1. Obtain reliable estimates of incidental serious injury and mortality of marine mammals and seabirds

2. Determine the reliability of reports submitted by vessel owners and operators

3. Identify changes in fishing methods or technology that may increase or decrease incidental serious injury or mortality

4. Collect biological samples to support and promote scientific studies

5. Record data on by-catch and discard levels of all species

Contractor shall provide fisheries and boat operator support staff, vessels, supervision, transportation, insurance and quality control necessary to collect information on fishing effort, gear, biological samples, and marine mammal and seabird interactions. Contractor shall additionally provide electronic monitoring equipment, perform equipment installs/uninstalls, maintain equipment, and review/annotate imagery.

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

The Contractor’s performance shall be evaluated against the performance measures cited in this contract.

2.1 Program Staff Support – Fishery Observers

The Contractor shall provide and retain qualified personnel to act as fishery observers and perform sampling, data quality control checks, data submissions and equipment maintenance. The government expects two observers to be required in 2024. Observers will be required to have served as fishery observers previously and should be familiar with gillnet fishing operations. The government will provide fishery observers with a training that will not exceed 10-days in length (offered only once at the beginning of the fishing season) consisting of up to one week data collection training that may be virtual followed by up to one week of safety and water-based training in-person. Technical training on EM systems will be provided by the selected EM contractor (Archipelago in 2024) so that observers are capable of installing, uninstalling, and maintaining EM systems in addition to conducting fishery observer duties. Personal protection and safety equipment will be provided by the government and may be supplemented by the Contractor.

Observers will be responsible for liaison with fishers. Observers shall coordinate meet up times with fishers for EM installs at which time they will provide training on the use of EM equipment, provide fisher log sheets, and conduct an interview/questionnaire to obtain data on gear and fishing behavior. Upon return to port, observers will be responsible for uninstalling the EM equipment and conducting another interview/questionnaire and later uploading EM image data and scanning/uploading paper datasheets. Contractor shall be responsible for installing/uninstalling equipment each year. No equipment will be left on the vessels after the fishing season concludes and EM equipment may not be used for fisheries other than those being monitored by AMMOP. Facilities and computers will be provided by NMFS or by Pacific States

Marine Fisheries Commission. The contractor shall follow all sample protocols.

Contractor shall be responsible for active fishery observation on EM outfitted vessels for no more than 10- weeks from July through Septemberstatistical week 25 through 35 (see potential workload schedule in table 1). Each observer should expect to liaison with up to three permit holders and deploy on no more than one trip each week. Observer trips will be a maximum of three days each week and not exceed 12 hours in a single day including steaming time to and from the permit holder vessel24-hour period. A typical work week would begin Sunday when the fishery opens, and end on Tuesday after 3 12-hour days of observation. However, this may be different for each trip as gillnetters can go out or come in as they please. Each observer will therefore be on active observation duties 36 hours per week maximum. Liaison and data handling duties will require at least 4 hours each week and no more than 10 additional hours (averaging 12 hr days).

Contractors shall collect standard monitoring program data from fishery observations such as:

● Marine mammal and seabird interaction

● Specimen samples

● Fishing effort – set time, haul time, harvest

● Fishing gear

● Fishing behavior

● Environmental conditions

In 2024, the contractor shall additionally collect proper documentation to provide a means to assess EM image quality and determine the feasibility in moving EM units from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis, such as:

● Document intended hours of EM operation vs data gaps

● Document reasons for data gaps (e.g. battery power failure, lack of engine power, power cord disconnect, device failure, incomplete install, ect…)

● Document time for each EM install and uninstall and provide cost translation

● Document intended installations that are unsuccessful and why.

● Document time spent coordinating with fishers.

● Document length of time from install to uninstall (though we will target collecting the gear at the end of each fishery, fisher may not come in to port even after the gillnet fishery closes each week – they may go crabbing or something else so we will have to wait until they come in or retrieve if a vessel/boat operator is available; we have an extra FishVue Mobile for this occasion)

● Document fisher sentiment

● Photograph gillnet vessels observed incidental to daily activities and document names and ADF&G number to build a reference library of gillnet vessel configuration to be used for future EM install plans.

2.2 Program Staff Support – Boat Operators and Boats

The small size of gillnet vessels prohibits accommodation of onboard observers. The contractor shall procure vessels and staff boat operators to provide observers with separate platforms to view the fishery. The government estimates that two boat operators and two vessels will be required in 2024. At minimum, work vessels or skiffs must have a cabin to provide shelter/privacy, a 4-person capacity and be capable of navigating sometimes turbulent waters in Southeast Alaska.

Boat operators must be experienced operators with background operating boats for professional and/or recreational purposes throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Ideally but not necessary, boat operators would have prior experience operating small vessels to support a fisheries observer program. The government will provide boat safety training which will be required of all hired boat operators and consist of a 5-day training that includes a module for nighttime operations. In 2024, vessels shall be leased for up to 10 weeks starting as soon as early July coinciding with fishery observers. . Boat operators shall work a maximum of 12 hour shifts each day of an open fishery for a maximum of three days per week. During observation years 2025-2026, boat operation along with fishery observation will occur during the extent of weekly fishing activity occurring mainly during daylight hours but occasionally into the night. Hence, observer-boat operator teams will likely need to run in two shifts per day. In the occasion in-field technical assistance is needed to resolve equipment issues, boat operators may also provide transport for additional technical staff if available.

2.3 Electronic Monitoring Equipment Procurement

The Government seeks to contract an electric monitoring provider in 2025 and 2026 option years.

The Government would like to purchase additional EM systems to sample a minimum of 760 24-hour days (~8%) of gillnet fishing effort. Type of units purchased should be based on results of the 2024 EM system trials, decided in conjunction with FMA staff. The contractor shall ensure the EM systems are in working order and functioning properly prior to launching field operations.

Sufficient spare or back-up equipment/parts should be available and on-hand to quickly replace system components in the event of failure or malfunction.

2.4 Electronic Monitoring Imagery Review & Annotation

Contractor shall provide data review staff and review equipment and software. Contractor shall review and annotate EM imagery including details of marine mammal and seabird bycatch; fishing effort; gear characteristics; fishing behavior; as well as details of the review process and image quality. Contractor review team will work with FMA staff to determine specific metrics to record during the annotation process to tailor to their needs. Video clips and stills of all bycatch events will be shared with FMA.

While a minimum of ~18,000 hours of imagery will be collected, review speeds during net soak times (10-12x speed) may be much faster than review speeds during net hauls which should be between 4-7x speed. Previous data tell us that average net haul times are 22 minutes while average net soak times are 62 minutes, around a 1:3 ratio. The times are, however, highly variable.

2.5 Program Staff Support - Project Management

Contractor shall assign a Project Manager to be the focal point for communications between the Government, EM provider and fishery observers. The project manager shall provide regular updates with the Government. Contractor shall ensure observers are deployed and resolve observer related issues. Project management will include all field logistics oversight and regular biweekly check-ins with FMA staff to discuss project progress, as well as any other topics as needed throughout the project. Contractor is responsible for any necessary program management and staffing to ensure the deliverables are met.

3.0 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This contract includes a Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The PRS plays an integral role in the administration of the contract. In addition to any applicable inspection clauses or other related terms and conditions contained in the contract, the PRS shall serve as a primary tool for inspection and acceptance of services as facilitated by the Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). Evaluation of the Contractor’s overall performance shall be in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the PRS, and will be conducted by the COR. The PRS constitutes a material aspect of the contract and will not be changed or otherwise modified without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Service Output Performance Standard Method of Surveillance

Frequency Negative/ Positive Incentive

1. EM installation and performance

100% of selected vessels will have Contractor provided EM systems installed (or attempted installed) and functional prior to departure of fishing trips.

FMA will compare the number and dates of selected fishing trips with the number and dates of fishing trips properly equipped.

Weekly report

Non-payment for services that do not comply. Potential to exercise option periods.

2. Fisher liaison EM system performance

100% of selected fishers are professionally contacted and proper information and instructions are distributed.

No more than 30% of intended coverage shall be lost due to user error.

FMA will inquire directly with fishers when EM performance suffers and FMA will review sentiment forms..

examine EM data completeness compared to EM schedule and fisher log sheet and

Biweekly report

Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

Potential to exercise option periods.

3. Fishery observer deployment

100% of selected vessels will deploy fishery observers each day to the extent defined in the requirements.

FMS will compare the number and dates of selected fishing trips with the number and dates of fishing trips covered by fishery observers.

Weekly report

Non-payment for services that do not comply. Potential to exercise option periods.

4. Fishery observer

95% of expected data entry fields will be

FMA will examine observer data, assess

Biweekly report

Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

performance complete, accurate and clearly written.

completeness and perform quality checks.

Potential to exercise option periods.

5. Deadlines are met with agreed upon high quality products

Submission of detailed reports including field work progress following guidance and instructions in the FRMD Standard Operating Procedure documents

FMA will coordinate timelines and document submission dates.

As needed Poor performance evaluations and Corrective Action Plan. Potential to exercise option periods.

6. EM system performance (2025-2026 only)

No more than 10% of intended coverage shall be lost due to system malfunction or lack of maintenance.

FMA will examine contractor supplied summary reports.

Biweekly report

Withholding 10% of monthly invoice.

Potential to exercise option periods.

4.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PRIVACY

This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Service contractors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all subjects and materials and may be required to sign and adhere to a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA).

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will provide necessary sample protocols to the Contractor for work required under this contract. The Contractor shall use Government furnished facilities, property, equipment and supplies on-site at NOAA’s offices to upload data and datasheets when such spaces are available. The contractor shall be issued government safety and sampling equipment, and shall be responsible for returning all Government furnished property, and equipment in good working condition, subject to normal wear and tear. Any property that is damaged, destroyed or stolen due to Contractor/Observer negligence or fraud will be the responsibility of the Contractor. The replaced gear and equipment shall be equivalent to the gear and equipment the Government provided the Observer.

6.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All source code, documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this Task Order. Documents, files and other data are to be stored exclusively on Government owned equipment and at no point should be saved or archived on personal drives or devices. Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NMFS or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the NMFS Project Leader.

7.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work will be conducted primarily in the field. Data uploads may be conducted on-site at NMFS facilities. In cases of shutdown or furlough (or in other instances which cause the Government facility to be closed), contact the COR for guidance. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead.

8.0 TRAVEL AND TRAINING

Contractors may be required to travel to one (1) of the fishery agencies or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) for required training. Contractor shall adhere to all NOAA/NMFS Mandates and Policies for contractors and affiliates.

● Complete all required contractor/affiliate training in a timely manner and follow all DOC, NOAA, NMFS and AFSC safety protocols.

● Maintain an awareness of safety at all times and contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

● Maintain the protection of Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information and Business Identifiable Information, both physical and electronic.

The COR may authorize additional training that is necessary for the contract and not commercially available. Should additional training be necessary, the changes to the scope will be negotiated bilaterally through contract modification. Training is generally held in Seattle or Anchorage.

9.0 TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1. Gillnet effort among open ADFG districts and THAs occurring in inland waters of Southeast Alaska.

Figure 2. Average gillnet permit holder activity (± 1 standard deviation) occurring in ADFG districts 11 and 15, and in the Boat Harbor THA by week in 2024.

Table 1. Potential sample schedule for 2024. Minimum target sample trips per week for each EM system and configuration. Observers will accompany two randomly selected vessels each week during the first 10 weeks.

Week Start

Date Stationary

Units Mobile Units EM-Observer

Paired tripsBattery-powered Vessel-powered USBc

Total

25 16-Jun 6 0 0 0 0 26 23-Jun 6 1 1 2 0 27 30-Jun 6 1 1 2 0 28 7-Jul 6 1 1 2 2 29 14-Jul 6 1 1 2 2 30 21-Jul 6 1 1 2 2 31 28-Jul 6 1 1 2 2 32 4-Aug 6 1 1 2 2 33 11-Aug 6 1 1 2 2 34 18-Aug 6 1 1 2 2 35 25-Aug 6 1 1 2 2 36 1-Sep 6 2 37 8-Sep 6 2 38 15-Sep 6 1 39 22-Sep 6 1

Total Trips 90 10 10 20 22