2024 Arctic Shield SOW.docx

April 2023

STATEMENT OF SERVICES

Environmental Planning and Permitting Efforts for USCG Arctic Shield U.S. Coast Guard District 17 Juneau, Alaska Project Number TBD

PROJECT START: 01 September 2023 PROJECT FINISH: 31 Aug 2024

1.0 BACKGROUND

The USCG conducts operational activities in the District Seventeen (D17) Alaska Area of Responsibility (AOR) every year.

In response, the USCG is proposing a strategy that will allow the USCG to comply with federal acts, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), (Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Further, the USCG requires the preparation of a Biological Assessment (BA) to support programmatic consultation under Section 7 of the ESA and MMPA (if necessary) and support seeking concurrences from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as necessary.

It is anticipated that the effort will provide programmatic environmental planning coverage for at least 5 years.

1.1. Assumptions:

· USCG will act as the agent for all consultations and Government-to-Government discussions and USCG will coordinate activities for the Programmatic Section 7 ESA, MMPA and EFH consultation. The Contractor’s Environmental Planner, Biologist and Cultural Resource Specialist will support these discussions and act as technical experts drafting consultation letters and primary documents and for their technical reviews.

· These documents enable the USCG to comply with the regulations mentioned in Section 1.0. This will provide coverage for USCG Arctic Shield operations from 2024-2029.

· All deliverables will be complete and delivered to USCG D17 365 days after award.

1.2. Applicable Documents/References:

· National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Executive Order (EO) 12114

· Endangered Species Act, 16 USC 1531 et seq

· Marine Mammal Protection Act, 16 USC 1361 et seq

· Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 USC 1801 et seq

· Migratory Bird Treaty Act 16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712

· DHS NEPA policy

· COMDTINST 16475.7, Protected Living Marine Resources Program

· COMDTINST 5090.1, Environmental Planning and Implementing Procedures

· USCG 2018-2023 Arctic Shield Biological Assessment

· 2019 Polar Security Cutter Acquisition Program Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

· REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor will complete tasking associated Environmental Planning and Permitting for the USCG annual operations in the Artic Alaska AOR under Arctic Shield.

The contractor shall provide all necessary, highly qualified personnel, materials, equipment, incidentals, and all other related services to perform the tasks and work delineated in the existing contract and this Change Order. Prior to submittal of each deliverable, the Contractor shall review the work to ensure that the submittals are complete, clearly written, all errors and omissions have been eliminated, all government and public comments have been adequately addressed, it conforms to this SOW, it meets the requirements of all applicable laws, regulations, and policies (including the Administrative Procedures Act), and all area technically accurate.

All key personnel shall have at least 10 years of experience working in their respective discipline and specific, demonstrable significant experience in the subject area in which they are working. Personnel with experience working in Alaska and the Arctic are strongly desired. Personnel must possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree related to the discipline that they are conducting the analysis in, unless otherwise approved by the USCG.

2.1 Review of USCG Requirements

The Contractor will review USCG proposed 2024-2029 Arctic Shield activities.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF TASKS

3.1 General Requirements

The Contractor will prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) pursuant the NEPA and USCG Environmental Planning Policy (CI 5090.1) and its implementing procedures. The Contractor shall also provide technical expertise in preparing a Biological Assessment (BA) and in supporting ESA consultation. The Contractor shall also coordinate soliciting and addressing comments from all interested parties and shall coordinate all consultation meetings with Alaska Native tribes. The Contractor shall provide the USCG with environmental regulatory procedural expertise and project management during the preparation of the PEA and BA for Arctic Shield for 2024-2029 in the D17 Alaska AOR.

3.2 Task 1 – Planning meetings

The Contractor will participate in a kickoff meeting and in continual planning meeting(s) to ensure that USCG District 17 expectations are met regarding the regulatory agency consultation schedule and deliverables. These planning meetings will take place telephonically. Prior to the kickoff meeting, the Contractor will review background materials provided by the USCG, review planning materials, conduct any initial background research, draft a meeting agenda and schedules for document deliverables. The Contractor shall revise the draft schedule based on review by the USCG and shall maintain the schedule for the duration of the project.

After all meetings, the Contractor shall prepare and distribute draft post meeting minutes promptly. The draft minutes will be subject to review by the Government. The Contractor shall incorporate any comments received on the minutes and redistribute them as necessary. Other meetings and/or teleconferences shall be scheduled and held throughout the duration of the project deemed as necessary.

3.2 Task 2 – Biological Assessment

The Contractor will prepare a biological assessment (BA) to comply with the format and contents listed in 50 CFR 401.12. The BA will identify all ESA listed and candidate species, and State of Alaska species of concern that are expected to be located in the project action area. The BA will assess the potential for effects on resources protected under the MSA, ESA, MMPA and MBTA. The Contractor should prepare this as a pre-draft, draft, and final BA for submission. The BA will be used to support consultation with NMFS and USFWS. It is assumed consultation will be informal.

3.3 Task 3 –Programmatic Consultation

The Contractor shall draft a 5-year programmatic consultation package, under Section 7 of ESA, as well as MSA, MBTA, and MMPA (as necessary), to support USCG D17 Alaska AOR Arctic Shield operations from 2024-2029. This task shall include drafting consultation letters for the USCG to send to the agencies. A final deliverable under this task will be used to seek concurrence from USFWS and NOAA regarding effects and mitigation measures for protected resources. The goal of this task is to satisfy the USCG’s compliance requirements under provisions of ESA, as well as MSA, MBTA, and MMPA (as necessary).

3.4 Task 4 – Tribal Consultation Support

The Contractor shall coordinate meetings between the USCG and Native Alaskan Tribes potentially affected by Artic Shield activities. This task shall include drafting consultation letters for the USCG to send to the Tribes, coordinating face-to-face meetings between the Tribes and the USCG, preparing materials for meetings, etc. Contractor is not expected to attend these meetings in-person, however, they will participate via phone to take meeting minutes. After the meeting the Contractor shall prepare and distribute draft meeting minutes promptly

3.5 Task 5 – Project Management and Administrative Record Support

The Contractor shall provide overall project management for the period of performance of this contract, including management and control of all project performance, monthly invoices, and preparation of the project schedule (and changes).

The Contractor shall also establish and maintain digital administrative record for the Proposed Action, including but not limited to materials related to compliance with other laws such as ESA, MMPA, MBTA, MSA, and BEPA. The management and compilation of documents and records will involve working with D17 staff and assisting with minor tasks other than those site-specific tasks listed above. Tasks may include the following:

· Developing and compiling all geographical information system data used for preparing images, graphs, and maps into a shareable file format. This format should be in ESRI GIS Shapefile formats.

· Revising the administrative record with new documents received between 2024 and 2029.

· Providing copies of historical documents.

· Researching information regarding specific sites or site related issues.

· Attending short meetings or teleconferences to discuss site related issues that may arise.

· Providing updates and quality control check on the Administrative Record and appropriate file maintenance activities as reports are generated. A revised electronic administrative record will be provided to the USCG.

The Contractor shall maintain records of all activity performed under this tasking and provide them to USCG District 17.

3.6 Task 6 – Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA)

The Contractor shall prepare a PEA to support Arctic Shield events from 2024 to 2029. The purpose and need and the description of the Proposed Action and alternatives will be determined in coordination with USCG staff. This task includes preparing a preliminary Draft PEA, a Draft PEA for public review, a Preliminary Final PEA, and a Final PEA and FONSI, and shall be prepared in accordance with CEQ regulations and CI 5090.1, and include all appropriate technical sections to analyze all the pertinent resources topics.

This task will include the contractor providing an in-house training for D17 staff and operators to understand how any environmental requirements, commitments or obligations arising from this work must be applied to Arctic Shield operations. This will include a presentation using visual aids and instructional materials to support the training. In support of this task assume one (1) trip to Juneau, Alaska, for 2 days with air fare, per diem, and a rental car for approximately three (3) people.

4.0 DELIVERABLES

31 AUG 24

01 OCT 23

The Contractor shall provide all final deliverables in MS WORD, PDF, and any native formats.

5.0 SCHEDULE

The Period of Performance for this is 31 Aug 2024.

6.0 POINTS OF CONTACT

· USCG Project Manager:

· Commander Molly J. Hayes

· Molly.J.Hayes@uscg.mil

· (907) 463-2208

End Scope of Services