143040-25-0074-Attachment 2-Statement of Need.pdf

STATEMENT OF NEED

ABALONE SURVEYS AND RESEARCH

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, CORTES BANK, AND TANNER BANK

NOAA/NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

WEST COAST REGION

13 August 2025

A. Background

The work described here within supports NOAA’s mission to implement and monitor the recovery of federally endangered white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni). Our desired actions are to: 1) continue to monitor trends in key demographic variables of abalone populations at San Clemente Island, Tanner Banks and Cortes Bank (e.g., abundance, density, size range); 2) determine the suitability of historic and existing habitat at San Clemente island, Tanner Banks and Cortes Bank for supporting white abalone populations; and 3) use the information collected to revise or amend existing recovery, restoration and management plans for abalone species. The information obtained from this study is essential for designing the lowest risk restoration program that yields the highest recovery potential for abalone species, especially the critically endangered white abalone, a species featured in the NMFS White Abalone Recovery Plan, the State’s Abalone Recovery and Management Plan (ARMP), and the Navy’s Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP).

B. Objectives

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West coast Regional Office (WCR) is seeking to collaborate with a particular entity that will provide a vessel to support underwater abalone surveys and research conducted by SCUBA divers at San Clemente Island, Cortes Bank and Tanner Bank. The vessel must be able to safely and efficiently provide transportation to these three destinations, accommodations for at least 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather divers for three, 5-day trips (one to each location), and air and nitrox for filling SCUBA tanks. NMFS shall conduct three 5-day trips to gather information on abalone abundance, distribution, habitat suitability, and disease susceptibility.

C. Scope

1. Itinerary (subject to changes):

This work will include three, 5-day cruises. One to San Clemente Island, a second to Cortes Bank, and a third to Tanner Bank (collectively referred to as survey regions). For each cruise, the research team will depart from Los Angeles county and transit to one of the three regions (see Fig. 1). The specific locality of survey sites within each region will be identified by the dive team in the days prior to the SCUBA operations. The total number of survey sites within each region will not exceed three (3) per day. Timing and duration of the cruise will be determined by optimal weather conditions and availability of the vessel for SCUBA operations. The Captain of the vessel and Chief Scientist will consult prior to each cruise on the feasibility of surveys in offshore waters.

SURVEY AREA:

Figure 1: SCUBA survey area including the three survey regions, San Clemente Island, Cortes Bank and Tanner Bank. SCUBA-based Transect surveys will be conducted between approximately 15 and 65 m depth.

2. Survey Procedures:

Survey operations for all locations will be coordinated with the US Navy's operational schedule at the various survey sites.

Cruise will begin with enough lead time to arrive at the targeted sampling region at dawn of the first survey day.

Duration of each SCUBA survey site will take approximately 2 hours to complete. Each survey will involve at least one SCUBA dive rotation (up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather divers for each dive rotation).

As many as 3 dive rotations may be completed in daylight hours.

3. Vessel Requirements Technical requirements:

Vessel shall be a commercial passenger vessel or research vessel; the length of the vessel shall be at least 60 ft. and carry fuel and provisions for at least five (5) days.

Required electronic equipment include a primary and backup GPS, plotter, radar, VHF, single side band radio, sonar, depth sensor, and water temperature sensor.

Vessel must have emergency oxygen first aid system with sufficient on-board oxygen to treat an injured diver for 12 hours or the time required to transport an injured diver to a higher-level medical care facility, whichever comes first.

Vessel must have a high pressure compressor that produces nitrox compatible air and is capable of filling high pressure steel SCUBA cylinders to 3000 psi.

Vessel must have the capacity to mix Nitrox breathing gas containing at least 32% oxygen and sufficient on-board oxygen to provide up to 3 fills for up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather divers for 5 days.

Vessel must have a small boat (sufficient to carry an operator and up to 3 divers) that can be used as a chase boat in the event that divers are separated from the main vessel.

Operational requirements:

The vessel should be located in Los Angeles county.

Skippers shall have a current license to operate a passenger vessel and have at least 5 years of experience conducting SCUBA operations.

During survey operations, the vessel must be capable of anchoring on specific GPS coordinates.

Vessel operator must also have experience running “live boat” diving operations (deploying and recovering divers from the boat while it is not anchored).

Vessel is required to have 2 main engines. The contractor is responsible for providing fuel

(reimbursable by Government).

Berthing requirements:

The vessel shall be capable of accommodating a minimum of (15) fishery scientists/observers in addition to crew (minimum crew of 2 licensed captains and 2 deck hands.) needed to conduct daytime SCUBA operations. No night time surveys will be conducted.

The vessel shall have a marine head (toilet) and shower facilities that are clean and sanitary.

Sleeping quarters, work spaces, and galley shall be adequately ventilated and free from tobacco smoke.

Vessel shall be capable of carrying provisions for at least five (5) days at sea for all personnel.

The charter is required to provide three (3) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks, and a light snack each day for all personnel.

4. Insurance:

During the full period of this contract the Contractor shall maintain the customary full form marine insurance coverage on the vessels including Hull and Machinery and Liability-P&I, taking into account scientific personnel employed on board. The expense of this insurance shall be covered by the contractor, and shall be deemed to be included in the hire payable under this contract. Copies of the insurance policy shall be provided by the contractor as technical information with the quote package.

D. Tasks

● Task 1: Supply air and nitrox fills of SCUBA tanks to support up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to San Clemente Island for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 2: Provide roundtrip transport for up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to San Clemente Island for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 3: Provide three (3) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks, and a light snack each day for all personnel.

● Task 4: Supply air and nitrox fills of SCUBA tanks to support up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to Cortes Bank for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 5: Provide roundtrip transport for up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to Cortes Bank from Santa Barbara for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 6: Provide three (3) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks, and a light snack each day for all personnel.

● Task 7: Supply air and nitrox fills of SCUBA tanks to support up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to Tanner Bank for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 8: Provide roundtrip transport for up to 10 SCUBA divers and 5 rebreather SCUBA divers to Tanner Bank for one, 5-day trip.

● Task 9: Provide three (3) meals, water and non-alcoholic drinks, and a light snack each day for all personnel.

E. Deliverables The contractor is responsible for providing to the Government’s scientific staff operational data relating to the survey sites. For each cruise, there will be a pre-cruise meeting before departure and a debriefing meeting with captain and crew on the final day of the charter.

F. Period of Performance Base Period: September 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026.

Target dates for surveys are: late summer, fall or winter during 2025 and 2026, with an emphasis on completing Tanner Bank surveys first, then Cortes Bank and then San Clemente Island (Fig. 1). These dates will be adjusted based on limitations associated with weather and availability of the vessel.

G. Place of Performance Southern California Bight with emphasis on: San Clemente Island, Cortes Bank, and Tanner Bank, all a part of Los Angeles County.

H. Non-Personal Service Contract Statement Contractor employees performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Contractor employees will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S.

Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Government will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

I. Reimbursable Expenses (Travel, Conference, Training, Equipment, Materials, Etc.): None required.

J. Other

SECURITY:

• Personnel performing work must wear visible identification at all times when physically within Government facilities or premises.

• Personnel performing work will work primarily offsite.

• Personnel performing work will not require access to NOAA facilities.

• Personnel performing work will not require a PIV or CAC.

• Personnel performing work will not require a NOAA email address.

• Personnel performing work will not require use of DOC owned IT Equipment

(Laptop, Desktop Computer).

• Personnel performing work will not require Non-Government IT equipment to interconnect to a DOC network.

• Personnel performing work will not require access to non-public DOC/NOAA data.

DATA PRIVACY:

Should work on this agreement require that personnel have access to Privacy information, personnel shall adhere to the Privacy Act, Title 5 of the U.S. Code, Section 552a and applicable agency rules and regulations. Data created, obtained and collected during the performance of this agreement is the property of NMFS. Data may not be released by any party without written consent from the NMFS POC. Data must be protected from unauthorized disclosure. Personnel must comply with all Federal, DOC, NOAA, and NMFS policies relating to IT and data security.

K. Government Project Officer Melissa Neuman National Marine Fisheries Service 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200 Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 Phone: 562-980-4115.