SOW USVI Caribbean Lobster Project 02242024 05022024 update.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

SOUTHEAST FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER (SEFSC)

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES DIVISION, CARIBBEAN FISHERIES BRANCH

US VIRGIN ISLANDS SPINY LOBSTER FISHERY INDEPENDENT SURVEY

I. Background/Overview:

The NOAA SEFSC is seeking to develop a fishery independent lobster recruit survey in the US Virgin Islands to provide abundance and size composition data to inform fisheries management decisions. Implementing annual catch limits (ACLs) is hindered by the lack of adequate catch monitoring and biological information in these small-scale, multi-species, multi-gear fisheries which require complex methods and indices to assess.

Since the 2007 reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Act (MSA), shortcomings in the Caribbean stock assessments have become apparent. This region has more managed species than the continental United States (US) fisheries and insufficient support for monitoring has led to high uncertainty about landings. There is a lack of biological information and fishery-independent data for these stocks. These limits on the scientific information to support accurate and timely resource management decisions, threatens the economic and cultural vitality of these communities as well as the sustainability of the territorial fisheries. If these stocks are to be managed with confidence, as mandated by MSA, NOAA must make this focused investment in territorial fisheries science.

Without this investment, NOAA will continue to lack the scientific information needed to meet its regulatory mandates under MSA and Endangered Species Act (ESA), diminishing its reputation among stakeholders and its ability to manage stocks, continuing uncertainty, and unnecessary economic burdens on Commonwealth communities. The stock status of many Commonwealth fisheries populations will remain unknown, potentially leading to overfishing and closures, as well as possible ESA petitions and listings. Commonwealth communities, particularly those dependent on subsistence fishing, may experience the loss of vital near-shore resources with severe economic and cultural consequences.

The SEFSC Miami laboratory has previously been awarded funding through the Cooperative Research Program to complete a project utilizing a working relationship with commercial fishers to use low-cost methods to gain information regarding the size frequency of spiny lobsters in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this project is to expand into the US Virgin Islands the citizen science initiative begun in Puerto Rico. This project will develop a statistically robust survey design to collect accurate size composition data of spiny lobsters. All data collected will be used to provide guidance and management recommendations to the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) and the CFMC.

The project will utilize a consulting service to coordinate, obtain, and pay for the services of three (3) to six (6) separate commercial fishing vessels to conduct fieldwork in the US Virgin Islands, during the period October 1st, 2024 – September 30th, 2025. Fishing vessels with onboard observers will deploy standard lobster traps to collect the size composition of spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus and other Panulirus spp.). The project will develop working relationships with fishers, resolve logistical issues, test initial methods, and develop an initial survey design.

II. Scope of Work

The primary objective of this project is to conduct a paired trap study to develop methods to effectively collect Panulirus spp. spiny lobsters less than 89mm carapace length. This study will provide data for the development of a statistically robust survey to collect data necessary to develop an annual recruitment index for the US Virgin Islands spiny lobster fishery. Recruitment is defined as recruitment to the fishery.

The Contractor shall hire and provide vessels, captains, and observers that meet the specifications outlined in this document to NOAA Fisheries. The vessels will be used in performing deployment and retrieval of lobster traps of standard design to acquire size composition data of spiny lobsters. NOAA Fisheries is not responsible for fishing gear including lines, traps, nets, floats, or weights. In addition, the vessel's daily rate will include the services of the captain, observer on board, fuel for the commercial vessel to complete the scientific work, and cost of bait for the scientific work. The vessels will be required for 20-25 total days, but days do not need to be concurrent. The spiny lobster survey will be conducted around the islands of St. Thomas and St. John, US Virgin Islands during the period October 1st, 2024 – September 30th, 2025. Standard traps designed to capture small lobster (less than 89mm carapace length) will be constructed along with traps of a second trap design with mesh size typically used in the commercial lobster fishery. An observer will be required in order to collect length data, catch rate data, and location information, and to enter collected data into an electronic database. All work must be completed 12 months following awarded date.

III. Tasks As an overall guide, the lobster sampling program will utilize fisher and investigator expert opinion to determine standard trap designs and sampling locations. As more data are collected and analyzed, those data will be used to inform the survey design further. The following activities will be carried out:

Task 1 Initial trap design, sampling plan, and statistical design:

· The Contractor, participating fishers, and SEFSC personnel will discuss standard trap designs for the project, the program sampling plan, and other standard procedures. The outcomes of these meetings will be considered in the further development of trap design, sampling design, and protocols.

· The Contractor will work with SEFSC staff to develop an initial sampling design based upon the results of the meetings described above and within 30 days of the final meeting.

Task 2 Trap design and construction

· A total of 28 traps will be constructed following the standard design as developed in Task 1. Fourteen (14) of the traps will be designed to capture and retain spiny lobster less than 89mm carapace length. Another 14 traps will be built to a standard design, but will follow the fishery management regulations for commercial lobster traps in the US Virgin Islands.

Task 3 Collection of spiny lobster size composition data

· Permitting - Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) through NOAA National Marine Fisheries will be obtained by SEFSC staff if needed. Permission for Scientific Purposes Permit through the US Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources will be acquired by the Contractor as necessary.

· Sampling locations – The Contractor and participating fishers will collaborate to develop a comprehensive list of potential sampling locations in the coastal waters of the US Virgin Islands.

· Depth and habitat – This program will continue to investigate potential changes in size composition and catch rates at sampling locations with respect to depth and habitat (substrate characteristics).

· Sampling protocols – The Contractor, participating fishers, and SEFSC staff will collaborate to revise as necessary sampling protocols for obtaining and recording necessary information for estimating fishing effort, catch, and size composition of lobster. The protocols will define exactly what each captain and crew should do when on site. Protocols will address the following key aspects of sampling including, but not limited to: paired trap deployment and sampling, types of bait, soak time, trap design.

· Sampling equipment and supplies – The Contractor will purchase all necessary field sampling and supplies. Supplies may include, but not necessarily be limited to, materials for trap construction, calipers, measuring boards, measuring tape, clipboards, pencils, data sheets (on waterproof paper), camera, safety equipment (pfd with strobe light), foul weather gear, and tools and supplies for sampling gear repair at sea.

· Training of field personnel - The Contractor will train captains and crews in sampling methodologies.

· Data collection forms – The Contractor will work with SEFSC staff to develop data collection forms to record data as sea.

· Data entry system, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) measures – The Contractor and SEFSC staff will develop an initial database to record and error check data collected during the sampling project. The Contractor will train personnel in its use. The Contractor will serve as the local database manager. The Contractor and SEFSC will jointly develop QA/QC procedures.

· Oversight – The Contractor and the SEFSC will collaborate to develop oversight procedures for verifying that assignments are being conducted appropriately.

· Monthly progress meetings - Monthly progress meetings between Contractor and SEFSC staff will be conducted via conference calls. These meetings will serve to update SEFSC staff and discuss any modifications to procedures. Monthly progress report to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: accomplishments, issues encountered, travel (including purpose, significant outcomes, action items), and recommendations if applicable

Task 4 Analyses and Reporting of Data

· The project database will be developed by the Contractor and SEFSC staff.

· The project database will be provided to the SEFSC.

· Contractor will be responsible for timely data entry into the database.

· The Contractor will work with SEFSC staff to develop the statistical survey design.

· The Contractor will ensure that the survey design is followed.

· The Contractor will produce a final project report summarizing all project activities and findings within 90 days of the project end date.

· The Contractor will supply all raw data forms and the database fully populated with all data collected during the project to the SEFSC upon completion of the initial year of the project.

IV. Period of Performance The period of performance will be October 1st, 2024 – September 30th, 2025. Changes in the performance period may be allowed if agreed by the SEFSC project lead.

V. Place of Performance All project data collection will be completed in the US Virgin Islands territorial waters or in the adjacent EEZ. Data entry will be completed off-site only at the Contractor’s place of business or a location determined by the Contractor.

VI. Deliverable Schedule All Deliverables will be delivered to the SEFSC upon project completion.

a. A list of final sampling locations/strata and a summary of outcomes from the initial sampling plan and statistical design meetings. Sampling locations/strata will be provided in an Excel or CSV file. Text summaries will be provided as Word documents. Those files will be provided 30 days following the final meeting with the Contractor, SEFSC, and participating fishers. To be developed collaboratively between the Contractor and SEFSC staff.

b. A statistical design for implementation of the field study to investigate spiny lobster catch rate and size composition with respect to season and habitat. The design will be provided within 30 days following the final meeting with the Contractor, SEFSC, and participating fishers. The design will be provided in Word and Excel files. To be developed collaboratively between the Contractor and SEFSC staff.

c. Provide the study design for investigating aspects of the sampling protocols; e.g., bait types, soak times, trap design, etc. The study design will be provided in Word and Excel files.

d. The project database will be provided to the SEFSC.

e. The final project report is due as a Word document 90 days following the completion of the study.

VII. Government Furnished Resources The Government will provide all necessary information, data and documents to the Contractor for work required under this contract.

The Contractor shall use Government furnished supplies only for the performance of work under this contract, and shall be responsible for returning all Government furnished supplies in good working condition, subject to normal wear and tear.

The Government will provide to the Contractor the following supplies, and similar, necessary to conduct these services and anticipates facility and security access as follows:

VIII. Travel Travel is anticipated for this order. Travel on the island of the US Virgin Islands by private automobile will be necessary for the Contractor and for fishery observers hired by the Contractor. Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations. Consultant and fishery observer travel does not require approval by the COR, provided the travel occurs on the islands of the US Virgin Islands by private automobile.

IX. Security Requirements The contractor will not require access to Federal Buildings, DOC Systems.

X. Applicable Standards The Contractor must provide trained at-sea observers and ensure those observers have safe working conditions onboard commercial fishing vessels. Proper insurance must be provided.

XI. Special Requirements The Contractor must have working relationships with the US Virgin Islands commercial fishers and must be able to provide at-sea observers for cooperating commercial vessels.

Must have necessary permits for fishing in Territorial and Federal waters.

a. Confidentiality and Data Privacy This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Service contractors are responsible for maintaining the 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 an explicit release from the Government. Comment by Windows User: Is this standard language or can we amend – how will the contractor enter data if it must be a government-owned computer?

c. IT Security The contractor will not require access to Federal Buildings or DOC Systems and does not include an IT component.

d. 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.

XII. Inclusion of Clause 52.217-8 (Mandatory for services, do not remove) Inclusion of FAR clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services, is for use by the Government as outlined at FAR 37.111, Extension of Services. If an option is included, it will be exercised as needed at any time during the life of the contract using the rates applicable at the time of exercise. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

XIII. Required Knowledge and Experience:

The Contractor must have working relationships with the US Virgin Islands commercial fishers. The Contractor is responsible for training observers. The Contractor must have demonstrated the ability to collect fisheries data.

The contractor shall provide interdisciplinary expertise related to program and project management, business processes, best practices and procedures, database management, and meeting facilitation. The contractor shall have knowledge and expertise of NOAA Fisheries policies and programs, as well as experience with planning, and Federal financial management and operations.

XIV. 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:

Technical Evaluation Factors:

Factor 1 - EXPERIENCE. The offeror's background and experience working with US Virgin Islands commercial fishers 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.

Factor 2 - 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.

XV. Project Lead:

Kevin McCarthy kevin.j.mccarthy@noaa.gov 305-361-4492 COR: Charlotte McClendon charlotte.mcclendon@noaa.gov 601-207-4504