20-02777 SOW AdvSensor_FieldProtocol-AM-consult RFQ.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

ADVANCED SENSOR: FIELD PROTOCOL DEVELOPMENT AND

MULTISPECTRAL IMAGING CONSULTATION

INTRODUCTION / OBJECTIVE

The Eastern Pacific stock of northern fur seals (NFS) is listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and in 2018, reached the lowest pup production in over 100 years. It is NOAA Fisheries’ mission to monitor this protected species and use the best available information to make informed management decisions to help recover this population. The Marine Mammal Laboratory (MML) employs a traditional mark-recapture method for biennial pup production surveys in the Pribilof Islands. This traditional method is time and labor intensive, costly, poses potential risk to personnel, and causes disturbance of fur seals.

Since 2015 MML has been working towards creating an Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS; i.e., drone) based approach for conducting NFS abundance assessments which could reduce costs by 75%, and virtually eliminate risk to personnel and disturbance to NFS. The greatest hurtle to this effort is imaging fur seals with visual imagery is distinguishing individuals from the background as NFS blend in with the similar sized and colored rock background.

From 2017 to 2019, MML worked with small business vendors and NOAA groups and conducted an assessment on the efficacy of using multispectral imagery to better distinguish NFS from the background. During this assessment, imaging experts concluded that multispectral imaging is an ideal method and identified the specific parameters and equipment to conduct robust UAS surveys with this advanced sensor technology.

Harnessing what we learned in the multispectral imaging assessment and following guidance concluded in that study, MML is moving forward with developing the advanced sensor system. This statement of work describes our need for experts in remote sensing, specifically in multispectral imaging as it relates to UAS surveys. This is a new frontier for MML and we require experts to guide our efforts in developing field protocol to ensure collection of high quality image data and consultation for how to manage and review that data.

The advanced sensor observation system will be a heavy lift octocopter (unoccupied aircraft system or drone) mounted with a payload consisting of:

• Multispectral sensor customized to already determine optimal bands (three visible, two near infrared, short wave infrared, with a thermal sensor add-on) for identifying northern fur seals from the background. The visual, multispectral, and thermal imagery collected will be co-registered (Tetracam MCAW6 or similar with thermal sensor add-ons).

• The sensor will have an ILS unit for post-processing calibration options.

• MML will also have calibration tarps as a redundant option for calibrations to ensure we collect robust image data.

• A laser altimeter for accurate AGL altitude recordings associated with each image

• A stand-alone GPS for the sensor to ensure imagery is georeferenced.

The vendor shall have expertise and great understanding of the aforementioned sensors and field collection efforts.

Preference may be given to vendors that identify other important factors to consider for developing robust survey protocol with the aforementioned equipment and contribute further suggestions/protocols/needs.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

MML requires the vendors be experts—with at least 10 years’ experience working in remote sensing as it relates to multispectral imaging and spectral reflectance analyses. MML also requires that vendors be experienced with the concepts of multispectral calibration efforts. Preference may be given to bids from vendors with experience in applying multispectral remote sensing techniques for imaging wildlife and marine mammals. MML is just venturing into multispectral imaging and will rely heavily on remote sensing experts to ensure that we develop robust and adequate protocols for collecting sound data.

The observing system will be built over the first half of FY2021, prior to the Alaska field collection in July 2021. MML may need to consult with the Contractor for assistance with coordinating with these other vendors for ordering appropriate parts. The contractor shall also prepare for Alaska field collection protocol prior to the trip to Alaska. The estimated hours needed for this pre-field collection effort is approximately 20 hours.

MML biologists and the Contractor (maximum team of 2) will travel to Alaska for field collection with the advanced sensor observation system to conduct the image collection of northern fur seals hauled out on land. The Contractor shall be able to assist MML with identifying the optimal sensor settings, help assist with flight survey protocol for sensor calibration efforts, and understand how to us the ILS and calibration tarps to ensure we collect robust data.

The vendor shall have expertise and great understanding of the aforementioned sensors and field collection efforts. Preference may be given to vendors that identify other important factors to consider for developing robust survey protocol with the aforementioned equipment and contribute further suggestions/protocols/needs.

Vendors must submit a cost estimate for this work, including travel expenses (see travel details in the Travel section below. MML will consider the Contractor team be one to two people, maximum.

TIMELINE AND DELIVERABLES

This is an estimated timeline of Tasks MML anticipates for the Base Period. Timing of the Alaska field collection is to be specified for a seven day period towards the end of July.

BASE PERIOD (NO OPTIONS)

The Base Period will begin upon award of the contract to the end of FY 2021, September 30, 2021.

Task Description Projected Completion

Task 1 Kick-off Meeting (between MML and Contractor) Upon Award

Task 2 Consultation: Pre-field collection Upon Award, as necessary

Task 3 Alaska field collection: Seven-day travel to Alaska during UAS surveys July 2021

Task 1: Kick-off Meeting

Upon award of the contract, the contractor and MML biologists will have a coordination meeting to clarify goals and objectives so there is an understanding of needs and the project specifications.

Task 2: Consultation

The contractor and MML shall coordinate and keep in touch regarding pre-field collection consultation and Alaska field collection preparation. MML may need to consult with the Contractor for guidance on purchasing items for the advanced observing system.

Task 3: Alaska Field Collection

Specific dates of the trip will be determined by MML but is expected to be sometime between the last two weeks of July or the first week of August, 2021. The Contractor shall plan on a 7 day trip to St. Paul, Alaska (see Travel section below for further travel details). During this 7 days, the contractor shall work with MML biologists to develop survey method protocol in order to collect robust image data. This will include assisting and guiding with sensor calibration needs, image assessment and management, sensor setting adjustments, and any other details the Contractor deems necessary to assist MML to finalize effective protocol. After the trip, MML may have further inquiries or need to consult with the Contractor until the end of the Contract on September 30, 2021. MML estimates that the hours required for this effort shall not exceded 120 hours total (for a Contractor team of two).

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY, MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR INFORMATION (GFP,

GFM, GFE, OR GFI)

MML may share imagery and flight log data with the vendor. This data is not sensitive and is public information. The contractor understands that this data are the property of the Federal Government and are public information. These images are not to be shared with anyone outside of the vendor until the completion of the project.

SECURITY

There are no unique security requirements associated with this contract performance.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The contractor will be responsible for conducting consultation from their workplace and in Alaska during the field collection and protocol development efforts.

TRAVEL

The vendor shall provide the estimated costs for airfare and other travel expenses and provide as part of their quote based on the following site information:

Travel Site Location: St Paul Island, AK

Lodging on St. Paul, Alaska will be at no-charge since the vendors staff will stay at the NOAA Fisheries Staff Quarters. Additionally, MML’s standard per diem rate for meals and incidentals is located at https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm while on island. This is due to the remoteness of the island and lack or restaurants for meals. Food can be purchased at the local market or brought in. MML will require the vendor to travel for 7 days to St. Paul Island, Alaska.

Visitors to St. Paul can check a cooler of produce and perishable items when traveling to the island and ship all dry goods in advance. There is one store on-island to purchase other necessary items. MML biologists and the vendor will coordinate prior to travel for all the logistics including airline ticket scheduling. The contractor is responsible for booking their own airline tickets. As this contract will be firm fixed price, the quoted price will cover all travel costs and consultation efforts to develop survey protocol.

TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT: TRAVEL EXPENSES SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL COST

INCURRED NOT TO EXCEED THE FEDERAL TRAVEL REGULATION PER DIEM AND LODGING FOUND

AT HTTP://WWW.GSA.GOV/PORTAL/ CONTENT/104877. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE RECEIPTS FOR ACTUAL REIMBURSEMENT AND COPIES OF THE APPLICABLE GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

(GSA) WEBSITE PRINTOUT.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Base Period: Date of Award – September 30, 2021

The selected vendor will work with MML in regards to the project task timeline. The contractor shall consult with MML until the end of FY2021 (September 30, 2021).

CONTACT – TECHNICAL CONTACT

TO BE PROVIDED AT TIME OF AWARD

https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm http://www.gsa.gov/PORTAL/