20-01634 SOW RFQ.docx

Statement of Work (SOW) Cook Inlet Beluga Photogrammetry

Background The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) intends to conduct scientific research on beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK. This study is part of a broader effort to understand the lack of recovery of the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales in order to propose conservation actions to promote recovery. To conduct this photogrammetry research, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) will be launched from a small boat and be used to take high-resolution photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales in Cook Inlet, AK from July to September 2020.

Objectives To provide the rental of a boat and the services of the captain to assist scientists to conduct a photogrammetry project, involving the deployment and retrieval of a VTOL UAS to take high-resolution photographs of Cook Inlet beluga whales, as part of the scientific operations as required by MML to study beluga whales in Cook Inlet. Under the NEPA and the ESA, these data are needed by MML and the Alaska Regional Office (AKR) to manage the endangered population of Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Scope Between July and September 2020, MML plans to conduct small boat operations out of Anchorage, AK, to collect high-resolution photographs of beluga whales using a UAS aircraft. The work will be conducted by boat during three 8-day periods: 31 July-7 August, 16-23 August, and 29 August-5 September. In total, we will spend up to 24 days on the water conducting UAS operations.

Task 1 During each of the three survey periods, the captain will assist the three (3) or four (4) scientific crew members with the launching and retrieval of the UAS. Each day will consist of eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of work during daylight hours with one (1) trip between the boat launch and the field operation locations. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek boat launch ramp in Anchorage, AK. Work will be conducted in the upper Cook Inlet; specifically, off the Beluga River, the Susitna Delta, the Little Susitna River, in Eagle Bay and other potions of Knik Arm, and in Chickaloon Bay, weather permitting. The timing of the launch will be determined by the captain and chief scientist, taking into account the tidal cycle, daylight hours, and weather. Typically, the boat will be launched during a falling tide in order to work with whales at low tide, and the boat will be retrieved on the rising tide once there is enough water at the boat ramp to pull the boat out. Each day, the captain will take the scientific crew from the Ship Creek boat launch to the field operations area, assist with launching and retrieving the UAS aircraft, and return the crew to the Ship Creek boat launch.

Option Year 1 The Marine Mammal Lab intends to continue photogrammetry research, using an UAS aircraft to take high-resolution photographs of beluga whales in 2021. Each day will consist of eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of work during daylight hours with one (1) trip between the boat launch and the field operation locations. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek boat launch ramp in Anchorage, AK. Work will be conducted in the upper Cook Inlet; specifically, off the Beluga River, the Susitna Delta, the Little Susitna River, in Eagle Bay and other potions of Knik Arm, and in Chickaloon Bay, weather permitting. The timing of the launch will be determined by the captain and chief scientist, taking into account the tidal cycle, daylight hours, and weather. Typically, the boat will be launched during a falling tide in order to work with whales at low tide, and the boat will be retrieved on the rising tide once there is enough water at the boat ramp to pull the boat out. Each day, the captain will take the scientific crew from the Ship Creek boat launch to the field operations area, assist with launching and retrieving the UAS aircraft, and return the crew to the Ship Creek boat launch. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based on the availability of funds and the existence of a government need.

Option Year 2 The Marine Mammal intends to continue photogrammetry research, using a UAS aircraft to take high-resolution photographs of beluga whales in 2022. Each day will consist of eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of work during daylight hours with one (1) trip between the boat launch and the field operation locations. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek boat launch ramp in Anchorage, AK. Work will be conducted in the upper Cook Inlet; specifically, off the Beluga River, the Susitna Delta, the Little Susitna River, in Eagle Bay and other potions of Knik Arm, in Chickaloon Bay, weather permitting. The timing of the launch and mooring work will be determined by the captain and chief scientist, taking into account the tidal cycle, daylight hours, and weather. Typically, the boat will be launched during a falling tide in order to work with whales at low tide, and the boat will be retrieved on the rising tide once there is enough water at the boat ramp to pull the boat out. Each day, the captain will take the scientific crew from the Ship Creek boat launch to the field operations area, assist with launching and retrieving of the UAS aircraft, and return the crew to the Ship Creek boat launch. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based on the availability of funds and the existence of a government need.

Option Year 3 The Marine Mammal intends to continue photogrammetry research, using a UAS aircraft to take high-resolution photographs of beluga whales in 2023. Each day will consist of eight (8) to twelve (12) hours of work during daylight hours with one (1) trip between the boat launch and the field operation locations. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek boat launch ramp in Anchorage, AK. Work will be conducted in the upper Cook Inlet; specifically, off the Beluga River, the Susitna Delta, the Little Susitna River, in Eagle Bay and other potions of Knik Arm, and in Chickaloon Bay weather permitting,. The timing of the launch and mooring work will be determined by the captain and chief scientist, taking into account the tidal cycle, daylight hours, and weather. Typically, the boat will be launched during a falling tide in order to work with whales at low tide, and the boat will be retrieved on the rising tide once there is enough water at the boat ramp to pull the boat out. Each day, the captain will take the scientific crew from the Ship Creek boat launch to the field operations area, assist with launch and retrieval of the UAS aircraft, and return the crew to Ship Creek boat launch. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based on the availability of funds and the existence of a government need.

Delivery

Task 1 The Contractor is responsible for providing an appropriate boat for working in the upper Cook Inlet and an experienced captain to conduct the work for up to 24 days between and including 31 July and 5 September 2020. The Contractor is responsible for providing all the safety equipment (life jackets for all crew, survival suits for all crew, flares, E.P.I.R.B., VHF radio, and first aid kit).

Option Year 1 The Contractor would be responsible for providing an appropriate boat for working in the upper Cook Inlet and an experienced captain to conduct the work for approximately 24 days between 1 June and 31 September 2021. The Contractor is responsible for providing all the safety equipment (life jackets for all crew, survival suits for all crew, flares, E.P.I.R.B., VHF radio, and first aid kit). Maintenance on the boats may be performed until December 31, 2021. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based om availability of funds and the existence of ta government need.

Option Year 2 The Contractor would be responsible for providing an appropriate boat for working in the upper Cook Inlet and an experienced captain to conduct the work for approximately 24 days between 1 June and 31 September 2022. The Contractor is responsible for providing all the safety equipment (life jackets for all crew, survival suits for all crew, flares, E.P.I.R.B., VHF radio, and first aid kit). Maintenance on the boats may be performed until December 31, 2022. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based om availability of funds and the existence of ta government need.

Option Year 3 The Contractor would be responsible for providing an appropriate boat for working in the upper Cook Inlet and an experienced captain to conduct the work for approximately 24 days between 1 June and 31 September 2023. The Contractor is responsible for providing all the safety equipment (life jackets for all crew, survival suits for all crew, flares, E.P.I.R.B., VHF radio, and first aid kit). Maintenance on the boats may be performed until December 31, 2023. The Option Period may or may not be exercised at the sole discretion of the government, based om availability of funds and the existence of ta government need.

Government‐Furnished Property, Material, Equipment, or Information (GFP, GFM, GFE, or GFI) The Government will provide the UAS aircraft, cameras, and all scientific equipment required to launch and redeploy the UAS aircraft.

Security No security requirements.

Travel No travel requirements.

Special Material Requirements Boat specifications:

· Minimum overall length of the boat of 21 feet.

· Maximum overall length of the boat of 28 feet.

· A Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB), preferably with foam-filled collar/sponson for reliability and safety.

· A twin-engine system of at least 115 HP (each) for redundancy and safety, and sufficient power to deal with tidal currents.

· Able to go 20 knots in up to 3 foot chop.

· A shallow hull able to navigate waters 3 feet deep, preferably a V shaped hull.

· Deck space forward of the console clear of any tall structures (antenna, railings, et cetera) allowing for the deployment and recovery of the VTOL aircraft over the bow.

· An elevated platform that can support a single person while taking photographs.

· A carrying capacity of 1500 lbs.

· Vendor must supply all fuel needed to operate the vessel for the duration of the work proposed (24 days).

· Vendor must be able to trailer the boat, providing an adequate trailer for towing.

· Vendor must launch and retrieve the boat at the proposed launch site, Ship Creek.

Other Unique Requirements Cook Inlet, AK experiences extreme tidal cycles and tidal currents. The area around Anchorage, AK has a high level of shipping traffic and limited areas for launching or docking small boats. Many parts of Cook Inlet, including the Susitna Delta region, Chickaloon Bay, and parts of Knik Arm, have an extensive network of mudflats and channels which can make navigation challenging. In addition, many mudflats are exposed at low tide and submerged at high tide. This is especially true when the region experiences negative tides. Because beluga whales are unable to swim onto the mudflats during extreme low tides, they often congregate at the edge of the mudflats until the water rises high enough to make access possible. Thus, the ideal time to photograph whales is while the tide is dropping but before the water rises far enough to cover the exposed mudflats. This period is also the most challenging time to navigate between mudflats and channels as the risk of becoming stuck on the mudflats is the greatest. Due to this unique and very complex environment, an experienced captain is required.

· Captain must have multiple years of experience navigating boats for the purpose of scientific research in Alaskan waters, and at least two years’ experience navigating boats in the upper Cook Inlet.

· Captain must have USCG Master’s license.

· Captain must have at least one field season’s experience driving in close proximity (less than 15 meters) of whales.

Place of Performance This work will be conducted in upper Cook Inlet, AK. The boat will be launched from the Ship Creek boat launch ramp in Anchorage, AK. UAS aircraft operations will be conducted in operational areas which include the Susitna Delta region, Knik Arm, and Chickaloon Bay.

Period of Performance Work will be conducted during three 8-day field periods: 31 July-7 August, 16-23 August, and 29 August-5 September 2020. Maintenance on the boat may be performed until December 31, 2020.

Option Year 1, work would be conducted for up to 24 days between 1 June 2021 and December 2021. Exact dates are TBD by the Marine Mammal Lab, and contingent upon a government need and funding still existing.

Option Year 2, work would be conducted for up to 24 days between 1 June 2022 and December 2022. Exact dates are TBD by the Marine Mammal Lab, and contingent upon a government need and funding still existing.

Option Year 3, work would be conducted for up to 24 days between 1 June 2023 and December 2023. Exact dates are TBD by the Marine Mammal Lab, and contingent upon a government need and funding still existing.

IT Requirements This order will not require assignment of a user account and access to the DOC data systems. This contractor will not have access to or use Government hardware, application software, system software or sensitive data. This service will not be performed on federal government property.