140G0325Q0237_MOD_1_-_Revised_SOW_0001.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. Background The US Geological Survey - Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA (WFRC) is engaged in scientific research to support sound management and conservation of our nation’s natural resources, with an emphasis on aquatic ecosystems, fisheries biology, and fish health. The WFRC operates two research aquatic laboratories in Seattle, WA (freshwater), and Nordland WA (marine and freshwater). Approximately eight full-time principal investigators conduct in vivo studies in these laboratories addressing fish ecology, physiology, and health. The aquatic facilities are biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) biocontainment laboratories for managing disease experiments and have onsite effluent treatment. Only aquatic animal pathogens known to be endemic to western North America can be used in these laboratories. The WFRC houses an aquatic BSL-3 wet laboratory to work with exotic pathogens, but this facility is not currently in operation. The consultant is not expected to provide services related to the closed BSL-3 laboratory. The WFRC dry laboratories perform routine research on aquatic animal viruses, bacteria, and parasites (BSL-1 and 2), as well as basic molecular biology procedures (nucleic acid extraction, PCR and sequencing).

II. Purpose The WFRC seeks biosafety consultancy services to lead the Center’s biosafety management and act as the Center’s Biosafety and Laboratory Safety Officer and Institutional Biosafety Committee chair. The responsibility is to ensure that all research that involves pathogens and potentially hazardous agents are being safely handled and disposed of according all State and Federal regulations.

This includes monthly onsite support.

III. Specific Services Requested

Institutional Biosafety Committee Chair

• Chairing the Center’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) that is registered with the NIH Office of

Science Policy. This includes quarterly meetings of the IBC.

• Leading IBC members to review, regulate, and ensure that all research being performed with pathogenic agents and recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids is following the rules set for in the NIH Guidelines.

• Maintaining the IBC Charter, agendas, meeting notes, providing suggested edits to investigator’s research protocol, consulting directly with investigators on how to perform the research so it is consistent with biosafety requirements.

• The awardee will work closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) chair, help continue to distinguish roles and responsibilities of IACUC and IBC, help address relevant lab or biosafety concerns that arise from the IACUC, ensure biohazards agent use being proposed has been approved by the IBC, and ensure that IBC and IACUC protocol development and management are aligned.

Chemical and Hazards Management

• Implementing a Chemical Hygiene Plan that includes the inventory, storage and regular disposal of chemicals used in the Center’s laboratories.

• Updating and maintaining chemical and biological hazards signage.

• Developing and managing the chemical inventory.

• Managing chemical disposal contracts for Center’s stations.

• Ensuring that Chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are up to date and stored in readily accessible areas.

Laboratory Safety

• Overseeing annual biosafety training.

• Inspecting laboratories quarterly

• Maintaining standard operating protocol for safe and effective use and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

• Working with facilities manager to assess and maintain occupational safety measures in the laboratory spaces (washing stations, first aid kits, etc). Work with Principal Investigators to ensure their teams are using proper lab protective gear.

• Ensuring laboratory equipment is properly maintained and safely functioning. Working with facilities manager and staff to execute maintenance contracts.

Deliverables include:

1. Regular updates to the IBC Charter, agendas, meeting notes, edits to investigator’s research protocol (4-5 per year on average). Regular direct guidance to researchers via phone calls and emails.

2. Semi-annual chemical inventory inspections onsite at Seattle and Marrowstone.

3. Quarterly inspections of equipment, signage, SDS documentation onsite at Seattle and Marrowstone, including reporting results of inspections.

4. Frequent email communications with the Center Director, Facilities Manager, Quality Management Specialist, and Collateral Duty Safety Officer to coordinate Center safety.

5. Quarterly reports documenting inspection, training, chemical management, IBC and all other services provided by the consultant.

III. Qualifications Biosafety Officer contractor must possess:

• At least two years’ experience overseeing biosafety at an aquatic laboratory with BSL-2 level containment requirements.

• A minimum of five years of experience serving and leading institutional biosafety committees, conducting biosafety risk assessments, developing training materials, and working with institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC).

• Education in microbiology and animal pathogens.

• Familiarity with biosafety-related regulations at the federal, state, and regional levels. Our facilities are in King and Jefferson Counties, WA.

• Ability to operate as an independent biosafety officer and work with little direct supervision.

• Ability to be onsite in Seattle at least monthly and Marrowstone quarterly. Locations listed below.

IV. Term / Project Schedule

September 22, 2025 – September 21, 2026 (est.), with the option to extend for an additional year.

IV. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Locations:

• USGS - Western Fisheries Research Center, 6505 N.E. 65th Street, Seattle, WA

• USGS- Marrowstone Marine Field Station, 616 Marrowstone Point Rd, Nordland, WA

I. Background