3-3_Min_Professional_Quals.docx

MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Duties, Responsibilities, Experience and Education Requirements).

Principal This person(s) shall have a Master’s Degree or higher in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Science, or closely related field, and approved by the Contracting Officer. This person(s) shall also have a minimum of 10 years full-time demonstrated professional experience applying theories, methods, and practices of biology with knowledge in the Asia-Pacific region that enables them to make professional judgment about the identification, evaluation, and documentations of biological resources. The person must have knowledge of natural resource management, ecology, and laws to protect the natural environment. This person(s) shall be able to provide oversight, guidance, quality control; and be responsible for ensuring the professional quality and technical accuracy of all field work, report writing, laboratory analyses, graphics, and geographic information systems (GIS) conducted under this contract. This person shall verify the accuracy and integrity of all efforts by executing the signature page of each deliverable, and shall be responsible to make sure the electronic product meets the scope of work and is compatible with the Government systems.

Project Manager (Biological) Person(s) filling this position shall have a Master’s Degree or five (5) years working experience in Natural Sciences such as Biology, Botany, or Environmental Science, , or closely related field, approved by the Contracting Officer. The person(s) shall also have four (4) years full-time demonstrated professional experience working as project manager for natural resources studies, surveys, organizing projects, and environmental media areas in the Asia-Pacific region that enables professional judgments to be made. This person(s) must have demonstrated ability to manage and implement research design and sampling strategies; make strategic and professional decision in the field; and have oral and written communication skills as evidenced by their completed technical reports/publications. This person(s) shall provide direction in the field, execution of document development; and shall oversee all field or laboratory work, geographic information systems (GIS), statistical analysis, and shall analyze and interpret data, and present synthesis of findings in a written report and/or GIS, as required by the task order.

Environmental Scientist Person(s) filling this position shall have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Biology or related field, including Environmental Science, Botany, Ecology, or other natural sciences. The person(s) shall also have two (2) years full-time demonstrated professional experience working with environmental media. This person(s) must have knowledge and experience working with applicable U.S. regulations and experience in developing environmental plans and studies. Duties include analyzing and interpreting data, writing plans and studies, as required by the task order.

Marine/Technical Biologist At minimum this person(s) shall have a degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, Botany, Ecology, or related wildlife or biological field. A minimum experience of two (2) years in planning and conducting marine field inventories and monitoring studies, interpreting data, preparing wildlife management plans, survey reports, and recommending habitat management practices. This person must have demonstrated abilities in planning assessment surveys, follow scientific and standard survey methods, executing work in a marine field environment, and in adverse weather conditions and potentially remote locations. Marine Biologists may have experience in at least one or more of the following scientific techniques/methods: passive acoustic monitoring, marine species telemetry/tagging/tracking, photo identification, behavioral studies, quantitative benthic dive surveys, orthomosaic imagery, marine habitat restoration, coral translocation, visual/aerial/boat/line transect surveys, and aquatic invasive species management/biosecurity.

Commercial Diver All commercial divers shall be well versed in understanding and complying with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Safety Manual EM 385-1-1. Divers must be qualified for Surface-Supplied Air (SSA) in diving operations and training documentation compliant with the OSHA Diving Standards29 CFR 1910.410 and, including dive tenders, have successfully completed training to the appropriate level (e.g., SSA diver’s certificate, surface supplied mixed-gas diver certificate). Copies of all dive-related training certificates are required. Such training shall be provided by: a.) a commercial diving school, military school, Federal school (e.g., USACE), or an Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE) accredited school; or b.) an in-house training program that meets the requirements contained in ANSI/ACDE-01, or in the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) Consensus Standards. Proof of certification (a diploma and/or official transcript) as a commercial working diver from an accredited commercial dive school and other dive-related training certificates (e.g. chamber operator, saturation diver, etc.) are required as proof of a diver’s certification and/or experience. An ADCI card or similar certification from an internationally recognized commercial diving organization may be substituted as proof of training for divers demonstrating more than five (5) years of diving experience within the six (6) years preceding beginning of dive operations. Divers shall have completed at least four working dives with similar decompression techniques as in the dive plan, using the particular diving techniques and equipment.

Each diver shall have current certification in first aid and CPR from the American Red Cross (ARC), the American Heart Association (AHA), or from an organization whose training adheres to the standards of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, or from a Licensed Physician (LP). Additionally, each dive team member shall have current certification in the use of emergency oxygen systems, and, the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Training in the use of emergency oxygen systems shall be specific to underwater diving and shall meet the requirements of a nationally recognized training organization such as Divers Alert Network (DAN), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructor s (NAUI), the YMCA or other recognized sources. Divers shall receive an annual diving physical according to ADCI or similar standards preferably by a hyperbaric physician (MD or DO) or other licensed physician knowledgeable in the physiology of diving. Contractors shall submit physician’s “Fit to Dive” statement in accordance with Section 30.A.13 of the EM 381-1-1.

Scientific Diver All scientific divers shall be well versed in understanding and complying with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Safety Manual EM 385-1-1. Divers must be qualified for using compressed air (SCUBA) and may also be qualified for use of Surface-Supplied Air (SSA) in diving operations and training documentation compliant with the OSHA Diving Standards29 CFR 1910.410 and shall show that dive team members, including dive tenders, have successfully completed training to the appropriate level. Copies of all dive-related training certificates are required. Such training shall be provided by: a. a commercial diving school, military school, Federal school (e.g., USACE), or an Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE) accredited school; b. an in-house training program that meets the requirements contained in ANSI/ACDE-01, or in the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) Consensus Standards; c. Training for Scientific Divers using compressed air (SCUBA or SSA), shall be in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.410 and shall meet the above requirements or the training guidelines in the Standards for Scientific Diving published by the American Academy of Underwater Scientists (AAUS). Scientific divers shall have completed at least twelve scientific dives with similar decompression techniques as in the dive plan, using the particular diving techniques and equipment.

Each diver shall have current certification in first aid and CPR from the American Red Cross (ARC), the American Heart Association (AHA), or from an organization whose training adheres to the standards of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation, or from a Licensed Physician (LP). Additionally, each dive team member shall have current certification in the use of emergency oxygen systems, and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Training in the use of emergency oxygen systems shall be specific to underwater diving and shall meet the requirements of a nationally recognized training organization such as Divers Alert Network (DAN), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructor s (NAUI), the YMCA or other recognized sources. Scientific divers shall receive an annual diving physical according to ADCI or similar standards preferably by a hyperbaric physician (MD or DO) or other licensed physician knowledgeable in the physiology of diving. Contractors shall submit physician’s “Fit to Dive” statement in accordance with Section 30.A.13 of the EM 381-1-1.

Dive Supervisor The Diver Supervisor must meet all minimum qualifications of the Commercial and Scientific Diver as above. In addition, the Dive Supervisor shall hold current USACE training certification as Dive Inspector, Diver/ Dive Supervisor, Dive Safety Administrator, and/or Dive Coordinator. All personnel performing as dive inspectors must be approved by a Designated Dive Instructor (DDC) prior to performing inspector duties.

Marine Species Observer Marine species observers will have more than one (1) year of marine species observer experience in the field on their resume and able to provide detailed data on encounters with marine species including species identification and behavioral observations. In addition, marine species observers may be required to keep constant vigilance for the presence of Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act listed marine species during in-water construction activities, such as vessel operations, dredging, operating pre-drilling and pile driving equipment, and deployment of the silt curtain, anchors, or mooring lines. Competent observers will be able to identify marine species, at minimum, to type of animal (e.g. shark, seal, dolphin, whale, sea turtle, ray, etc.), if sightings are brief or viewing conditions are poor, or to species if positive identification is possible. The observers will understand marine species behavior enough to be able to observe direction of movement, know diving patterns, and be able to determine when an observed species has departed or remained close to the project area. The observers will know enough about evaluating group size to state with high certainty how many animals were observed when they are seen in a group.

NEPA Planner At a minimum this person shall have a Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, biology or related field. Have a minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in NEPA compliance and permitting. Have demonstrated experience managing Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), or Record of Categorical Exclusions (RCEs). Have experience working with regulatory agencies and the public. This person(s) would serve as the NEPA document writer that would prepare NEPA related compliance documents, legal and regulatory documents, and technical reports/deliverables. Duties would include environmental resource consulting and project management, especially in the preparation of federal, state, and overseas environmental guidelines.

GIS Specialist If the GIS Specialist is not also the Project Manager, Environmental Scientist, or Technical Biologist, this person must have a Bachelor's Degree or higher in geographic information systems, geography, natural resources, natural sciences, planning, engineering, or related field. This person shall be responsible to make sure the electronic product meets the scope of work and is compatible with Government systems. This person shall be able to demonstrate experience in Geographic Information System analysis, data organization, geodatabase maintenance and troubleshooting, and geospatial analyses; ability to utilize and import and maximize the accuracy of GIS data from a variety of GPS data sources (Terrasync, smart phone maps, Garmin, Trimble, etc.); ability to work with ERDAS, AutoCAD, or other locational information software and an ability to transfer files between different locational information software types. Ability to collect GPS data in a variety of settings including forests, steep slopes, adverse weather conditions and remote locations. They shall have certified training and professional experience in creating and maintaining geographic information systems that are compatible with Arc View 8 or later versions and using AutoCAD and Microsoft Access databases.

Hydrologist/ Wetland Specialist Person(s) filling this position must have bachelor’s degree in hydrology or related natural sciences; knowledgeable in the ramifications of requesting a Preliminary Jurisdictional Delineation (PJD) or approved JD (AJD) with Army Corp of Engineers. This person shall have extensive experience identifying wetland and non-wetland waters of the U.S. and Pacific Islands of both the 1987 Army Corps of Engineering wetland delineation manual or later versions, and the regional supplements appropriate to the Task Order area, and knowledgeable dealing with the delineation process. The person(s) must have experience getting delineations approved by the ACOE, and ability to correctly identify to indicator species, subspecies or variety (as appropriate) all vascular plant species that occur on project site as defined in Task Order using taxonomic keys if necessary. This person shall have formal documented training in the wetland delineation methods used in the US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (Environmental Laboratory, 1987) and regional supplements.

Site Safety Officer The SSHO, at a minimum, must have completed the 30-hour OSHA Construction safety class or have 30 hours of verifiable formal construction safety and health training covering the subjects of the OSHA 30-hour course applicable to the work to be performed and given by qualified instructors. The SSHO is also required to have five (5) years of construction industry safety experience or three (3) years of experience and possessing a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or safety and health degree. An SSHO or a Designated Representative, as identified in the APP/AHA and as deemed appropriate/equivalent to SSHO by the GDA, shall be on-site at all times when work is being performed. The SSHO shall be responsible for managing, implementing and enforcing the Contractor’s Safety and Health Program in accordance with the accepted APP. SSHOs shall maintain this competency through 24 hours of formal safety and health related coursework every four (4) years. For limited service contracts, (e.g. visual inspections) the Contracting Officer and Safety Office may waive the more stringent SSHP elements of this section. For complex or high hazard projects, the SSHO shall have a minimum of ten (10) years of safety-related work with at least five (5) years of experience on similar type projects.

Editor This person must have a bachelor's degree in English or related field and three (3) years of professional editorial experience with products and activities that demonstrate excellent writing, grammatical, and editing skills and ability to edit authors’ original manuscripts, including rewriting as necessary. Background in biology, natural resources or an environmental field is desirable.

Administrative Assistant Support This person must have a high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of general experience, or two (2) years of education above the high school level. Duties are to perform work of a general clerical or administrative nature for which computer skills and knowledge of such things as spreadsheets, word processing, data entry, and invoicing are required.