DWH Commercial Shrimp TED testing MS River to Galveston SOW rev1 6.17.2024.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center Fisheries, Assessment, Technology, & Engineering Support Division Vessel Charter for Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Trawl Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Testing, Mississippi River to Galveston, TX PRISM Requisition # 143031-24-0142

I. Background/Overview:

This is a requirement for non-personal services for a Vessel Charter to support a fishery-dependent contracted commercial fishing vessel. The contractor will provide a trawl vessel with the equipment necessary described below under Vessel Requirements; captain and crew; and all other material necessary to complete catch comparisons for Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) with reduced bar spacing (2.5-inch spacing) in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) offshore (> 3 miles) shrimp fishery between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Galveston, TX.

This project is focused on reducing bycatch of small sea turtles (body depths < 4 inches) in trawls equipped with TEDs that target shrimp in the GOM. Optimal TED bar spacing that minimizes the risk of small sea turtle capture in the shrimp fishery is informed through review and analysis of fishery observer data. New TED prototypes developed to exclude small sea turtles need to be evaluated for target-catch shrimp retention and bycatch reduction on commercial fishing grounds.

Limited observer coverage of the offshore GOM shrimp fishery from 2008 through 2022 documented the capture of 68 sea turtles in the codends of TED-equipped shrimp otter trawls. These turtles were small enough to pass through TED grids with allowable 4-inch bar spacing. Once in the codend, turtles can no longer access the TED escape opening risking drowning due to forcible submergence. Review of size distribution data of all turtles observed in the offshore fishery indicate that sea turtles encountered in this portion of the fishery had Body Depths (BDs) greater than 2.5 inches.

Based on this information, TED prototypes with 2.5-inch bar spacing were developed and evaluated for sea turtle exclusion effectiveness through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) small turtle testing protocol. TED designs approved through the protocol were then tested aboard a NMFS research vessel to evaluate target catch retention and bycatch reduction performance. Designs with promising results are now slated for further evaluation aboard multiple contracted commercial vessels to gauge performance under commercial conditions on traditional fishing grounds in areas where small turtle interactions occur.

II. Scope of Work NOAA Fisheries has a requirement for one (1) vessel for work in the GOM offshore (> 3 miles) shrimp fishery between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Galveston, TX and intends to issue firm fixed price contracts based on these requirements.

One (1) vessel is needed to conduct comparative testing of an experimental narrow bar spacing (2.5-inch) and control standard bar spacing (4-inch) TED for 15 days. The NMFS, SEFSC, will construct TEDs for these efforts and perform initial installations and provide instructions for gear handling during testing.

III. Tasks The proposed Contractor(s) shall provide vessel charter services to support the following activities:

· For the vessel, the TEDs shall be towed for a minimum of 15 successful tows during 15 contract days anytime between the date of contract award through July 31, 2024. At least one successful tow is required per contract day. Multiple trips may be required to complete the work, but it is likely that the work may be completed successfully in one fifteen-day period. A certified NMFS shrimp fishery observer will attend each trip.

· Each Contractor will notify NOAA Fisheries staff regarding their availability to conduct testing based on shrimp catch availability and weather. Once notified, NMFS gear specialists and an observer will travel to the vessel and meet with the captain to review TED evaluation protocols, load equipment, and install the experimental and standard TEDs on outmost port and starboard nets.

· When weather permits, each Contractor shall depart for the fishing grounds with the NMFS observer onboard. A minimum of 15 successful tows will be required to complete TED evaluations for each vessel. Successful tows are defined as trouble-free tows with a minimum of 50 lbs. of shrimp per test net. With the assistance of the crew, the NMFS observer will collect total and sample weights from the experimental and control nets. Effort and environmental information will be recorded/collected for each tow. The captain and crew will be responsible for switching experimental and control TEDs from port to starboard daily during testing, which will be specified in the gear handling instructions to be provided to the Contractor by NOAA.

· The NMFS will not be responsible for paying for weather days that require the vessel to remain in port or steaming days required for transit to the fishing grounds. The completion of work for the vessel is defined by maximum of 15 contract days with at least one successful tow per contract day.

IV. Period of Performance For each vessel, the TEDs shall be towed for a minimum of 15 successful tows during 15 contract days anytime between the date of contract award through July 31, 2024.

V. Place of Performance Contract vessel selected to conduct this work is required to complete the tow on traditional shrimp fishing ground in the offshore (> 3 miles) area of the GOM between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Galveston, Texas.

VI. Deliverable Schedule

· For the vessel, the TEDs shall be towed for a minimum of 15 successful tows during 15 contract days anytime between the date of contract award through July 31, 2024. Successful tows are defined as trouble-free tows with a minimum of 50 lbs. of shrimp per test net. At least two successful tows are required per contract day. Multiple trips may be required to complete the work, but it is likely that the work may be completed successfully in one fifteen-day period.

· With the assistance of the crew, the NMFS observer will collect total and sample weights from the experimental and control nets.

· For the experimental and control nets, the observer will collect catch, effort, and environmental information for each tow including but not limited to: Depth, water temperature, sea state, tow start time and position (latitude and longitude), tow end time and position (latitude and longitude), average tow speed, total catch weight (kgs), total shrimp weight (kgs), sample weight (kgs), sample shrimp weight (kgs) by species, sample fish weight (kgs), sample non-shrimp crustacean weight (kgs), sample invertebrate weight (kgs), sample debris weight (kgs), description of TED handling highlighting any problems, TED damage if any, any other notable information regarding TED performance or handling.

· The captain and crew of each vessel will be required to switch experimental and control TEDs from port to starboard nets daily during testing.

· The observer will provide a log of successful tows and testing days. Designated NMFS staff will provide each captain with a receipt for the tow log, documenting the total number of successful tows completed.

VII. Government-Furnished Resources

· The government will provide experimental narrow bar spacing (2.5-inch) and control standard bar spacing (4-inch) TEDs and perform the installation on the contract vessels trawl.

· The government will provide an overview of the work expected and outline procedures to the captain and crew.

· The government will brief the captain and crew on recommended handling techniques and procedures with regard to switching TEDs between port and starboard nets.

VIII. Special Requirements

· Twin or quad rigged trawl fishing vessel 65 ft in length or larger.

· Federal GOM Shrimp Commercial Fishing permitted vessel.

· Vessel operator shall have experience in operating on traditional GOM offshore (> 3 miles) shrimp fishing grounds between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Galveston Texas.

· Sufficient bunk space to accommodate one NMFS staff.

· Three meals plus various snacks and non-alcoholic drinks should be provided each day for one NMFS staff.

· The vessel shall be equipped with the following:

a. Two or Four closely matched shrimp trawls

b. Fathometer

c. Radar

d. GPS vessel positioning unit

e. Computer with navigation software

f. Current U.S. Coast Guard Safety Inspection certification – to be obtained a minimum of two weeks prior to beginning TED testing

a. 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).

b. Intellectual Property Rights All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this purchase 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 Government.

c. Section 508 Compliance Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by P.L. 105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998), all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained and/or used under this contract shall be in compliance with the “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards” set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the “Access Board”) in 36 CFR Part 1194. The complete text of Section 508 Standards can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/ or at http://www.section508.gov.

IX. Required Knowledge and Experience:

· Captain and crew experienced in deployment, retrieval, and repair of shrimp trawl gear and TEDs.

· Captain with knowledge and experience targeting shrimp in the GOM offshore (> 3 miles) fishing grounds between the Mississippi River and Galveston, Texas.

X. Evaluation Factors:

The Government will issue an order resulting from this request for quotation to the responsible offeror whose quotation results in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations:

Factor 1--TECHNICAL APPROACH. The quotation will be evaluated on how the offeror intends to organize, staff and manage the contract and the means that will be used to accomplish the contract requirements. The degree to which the quotation demonstrates an understanding of the requirements will be evaluated, as well as the offeror's planned management of consultants and subcontractors, if applicable.

To include:

· Location of the vessel relative to the desired port and fishing grounds

· Vessel condition and ability to pass a USCG safety inspection Factor 2 -EXPERIENCE. The offeror's background, experience, and qualifications will be assessed to determine the likelihood that that offeror can successfully perform the contract requirements and the degree of the risk of non-performance. Specifically, professional experience running offshore vessels with a licensed captain with a minimum of three years’ experience and a deckhand capable of assisting observers with data collections.

To Include:

· Experience of the vessel captain with regard to fishing with shrimp trawls in the offshore (> 3 miles) GOM shrimp fishery

· Condition of trawl gear provided for use in TED evaluation tows Factor 3 - COST/PRICE. The proposed prices/costs will be evaluated. The cost evaluation will determine whether the proposed costs are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements. Proposed costs must be entirely compatible with the technical approach.

XI. Project Lead: To be assigned at time of award