B10_Attachement_1_SOW_1.docx

PERFORMANCE-BASED WORK STATEMENT

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction (general description of services).

The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) produces various hazard products that users (from emergency managers to the general public) rely on during large storm events. The USGS would like to be more efficient and flexible in their storm response workflow, enabling the rapid incorporation of post-storm data to improve real-time forecasting capabilities, and improve our ability to share forecasts and data externally. There is a need to update the existing CCH Timeline for Storm Forecasts and Response document and address the back-end challenges that are hindering our ability to make the data broadly accessible in real-time to inform emergency response efforts, as well as effectively share and visualize scenario-based forecast aid emergency preparedness. To address these needs a professionally facilitated design-focused workshop is proposed to identify and prioritize a list of opportunities and recommendations for improving USGS storm preparation, forecast and response products in the future.

B. Background (summarize past activity; history; mandates; how did we get to this point?; address unresolved problems from the past).

The USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) storm response has grown in scope since 2020. Data are collected to test and improve forecasts. Storm response is initiated with the convening of the USGS Storm Team and has expanded to events other than hurricanes (e.g., nor’easters, Pacific storms). The geographic area included in the response depends on landfall location and proximity to USGS offices to respond. The scope of the response depends on funding and working with collaborators within USGS and external to USGS. Two key products are generated in response to storms: the Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast viewer (TWL) and Probabilistic Coastal Change (CC) forecast. The end users of the TWL viewer and CC forecast have recognized the potential for errors due to old data in forecasts and asked for the model to be updated more frequently. The USGS collects additional storm response data (e.g. aerial photography), but does not have the capability to rapidly process it and make it available to emergency responders. USGS is also unable to handle/update forecast criteria when back-to-back storms make landfall in the same area (e.g., Louisiana in 2020, Florida in 2024). Importantly, the workflow breaks down if the USGS St. Petersburg location is impacted by a storm because the majority of personnel are based there. Additionally, there are several hurdles to effectively distributing data used by emergency responders for preparation, to make sure they are findable, directly usable (in a format that fits the user needs), or effectively visualized.

C. Definitions/Applicable Documents (define terms that have a different meaning to different people, esp. technical ones; list publications, directives, commercial standards affecting the work). If definitions are not required for successful performance, skip C and replace with D.

CCH – Coastal Change Hazards program focus https://www.usgs.gov/programs/cmhrp/science/coastal-change-hazards

TWL – Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer https://www.usgs.gov/data/total-water-level-and-coastal-change-forecast-viewer

Coastal Change Hazards Portal https://marine.usgs.gov/coastalchangehazardsportal/

Real-time storm response https://www.usgs.gov/centers/spcmsc/science/real-time-storm-response

D. Scope (state general purpose, objectives, magnitude).

General Purpose: Address the challenges that are hindering our capability to make our data broadly accessible, both in real-time and in preparation, for (to benefit) emergency management persona. Develop a plan for a workshop to update the 1) real-time storm response workflow and plan for future storm seasons, and 2) identify ways to improve data dissemination and shareability data that informs emergency preparedness.

Objectives: This effort will synthesize findings, identify patterns among needs and experiences to update the existing CCH Timeline for Storm Forecasts and Response document, and summarize a prioritized list of opportunities and recommendations that could benefit this effort in the future.

Magnitude: This work will have a direct impact on CMHRP operations before, during and after a storm event. The lessons learned in updating this workflow can be broadly applied to other Coastal and Marine Hazards Resources activities that rely on a streamlined back-end data management strategy to communicate data to external stakeholders.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. Describe specific work requirements and/or work products (broken down into phases or work elements, progress reports, etc.). Description must be in terms of WHAT we want done, not HOW we want to have it done.

Phase 1: Planning – attend planning meetings with core leadership team to establish baseline understanding and to define goals and objectives for the workshop. Design, schedule, facilitate, and synthesize interviews with key staff stakeholders to establish baseline understanding of challenges and opportunities.

Phase 2 – Meeting - Design and facilitate a 3-day workshop (24 hours total), including setup and breakdown. Facilitate a 90-minute debrief meeting with core staff team to inform synthesis.

Phase 3 - Synthesize key workshop outcomes into a high-level report.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service (how will contractor's compliance be measured).

The core leadership team will be involved in the planning and workshop execution to evaluate execution of requirements.

Phase 1 – performance and functionality: workshop plans are clear and consider the needs of the participants Phase 2- performance in workshop providing a clear structure for the process, a neutral stance, active listening, strong communication skills, and adapting to participant needs;

Phase 3 – usability – high-level report generated provides clear next steps.

B. Deliverables.

1. Characteristics for work product described in II.A.1., identified by name and quantity.

· Interview guide

· High-level summary of interview learnings

· Workshop agenda and PPTs

· High-level summary of workshop learnings

2. Delivery dates for work/product to be completed and point of delivery.

Phase 1 – April 2025 – June 2025 Phase 2 – July 2025 Phase 3 – September 2025

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Place of Performance.

Phase 1 – Remote workspace Phase 2 – In person workshop (with virtual option) location TBD.

Phase 3 – Remote workspace

B. Period of Performance (expressed as number of days, must include the time necessary to test, review, and/or install the deliverable).

Six months from March – September 2025.

C. Government Furnished Property (GFP): list property and its value.

None.

D. Special Considerations.

1. Key personnel qualifications (researchers, instructors, writers, project managers, programmers, etc.)

We are looking for a facilitator with a science background and in depth understanding of data management practices.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment.

3. Security/Privacy issues (ingress to Federal buildings, personnel clearances, computer security).

4. Place of Performance: USGS Woods Hole Coastal & Marine, 384 Wood Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA 02543.