AK-22-04_MiniSOW.docx

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

Cook Inlet Physical Oceanography: Synthesis and Modeling

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive and understandable reference of Cook Inlet oceanography datasets and data visualization tools that are readily available for environmental analyses. This study will collate physical oceanographic data since 2000 in Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. Researchers will synthesize the data into a regional framework and identify information needs for sampling and improved data and modeling tools to support future oceanographic modeling efforts.

BACKGROUND

The mission of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to manage the exploration and development of the nation’s offshore resources in a way that appropriately balances economic development, energy independence and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy development and environmental reviews and studies. Within BOEM, the Environmental Studies Program functions to implement and manage the responsibilities of research. In addition, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) Section 1346 calls for the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by offshore energy or other mineral development. OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA.

BOEM uses baseline physical oceanographic information, including their seasonal variation and how the baseline is changing, to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses in Cook Inlet. Teasing apart impacts to the environment from multiple stressors, including a warming Gulf of Alaska, requires historical and up-to-date physical oceanographic measurements. These measurements are also necessary to verify and validate general circulation model (GCM) output to assure quality products for use in BOEM’s oil spill trajectory analyses.

Cook Inlet oceanographic data depict relatively short-term deployments focused on specific features of Cook Inlet’s complex oceanography. These datasets are not synthesized into a regional framework and can be difficult to access. This dispersion of data, particularly for the most recent period, adds complexity for evaluating a changing baseline or for using it in GCM verification and validation. There is a need to assemble the data for accessibility and plan for coordinated focused sampling where information needs are identified to improve ocean circulation models.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Objectives of this study are to:

Improve access to and utility of existing oceanographic data in Cook Inlet.

Enhance the understanding of the large-scale surface and subsurface circulation and density fields and their interannual variation with focus on these four primary areas:

a. Fronts: Investigate the dominant physical forces governing circulation and the development of fronts in Cook Inlet and their spatial and temporal timescales.

b. Buoyancy-forced Coastal/Estuarine Circulation: Gain better understanding of the processes which enhance or inhibit transport and their seasonality in lower Cook Inlet including snowmelt and freshwater discharge.

c. Lateral Ocean Boundaries: Develop a better understanding of Gulf of Alaska boundary influences including the seasonality of Cook inlet outflow and the degree of infiltration and seasonality of Alaska coastal water into eastern Cook Inlet.

d. Offshore Boundary: Investigate processes that control exchange between the Gulf of Alaska and Cook Inlet.

Identify improved algorithms and data sources to support future development of ocean models, particularly for tide rips.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

The period of performance (POP) for this study is thirty-six (36) months. The POP will encompass all tasks from initial planning through and including BOEM’s final acceptance of all deliverables.

BOEM anticipates a funding level of up to $500,000.00 for this work.

This study will identify and gather existing, relevant, and readily available physical oceanographic datasets for the Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. The datasets will be organized into a common framework for review and identification of specific information needs to guide planning for future fieldwork. Researchers will identify areas with low resolution or dated sampling to develop recommendations for additional measurements needed to provide stratification, freshwater forcing, and higher resolution surface and subsurface current data to enhance the ability to model 3-D currents. When possible, researchers will leverage existing field efforts to collect additional data. Researchers will also evaluate a cross-section of ocean models that have been applied to Cook Inlet, as well as other areas, to identify algorithms and data sources to improve future Cook Inlet simulations. Existing data visualization tools will also be evaluated to identify which are most useful for supporting BOEM’s needs. Information from all project components will be synthesized to describe and discuss the physical oceanography of Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait within a regional framework. Data products and associated metadata will be disseminated through the AOOS web portal.

TASKS

Possible tasks to be completed shall include, but not necessarily be limited to:

1. Identify and gather available physical oceanographic datasets for the Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait. The datasets will be organized into a common framework for review and identification of specific information needs to guide development of field plans.

2. Develop recommendations for additional oceanographic measurements needed to enhance the ability to model 3-D currents, such as stratification, freshwater forcing, and higher resolution surface and subsurface current data.

3. When possible, leverage existing field efforts to opportunistically collect additional data.

4. Evaluate a cross-section of ocean models to identify algorithms and data sources to improve future Cook Inlet simulations. Evaluate data visualization tools to identify which best support BOEM’s needs.

5. Synthesize the information to discuss the physical oceanography of Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait within a regional framework.

MEETINGS, REPORTS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

A. Post Award Meeting and Summary: The Recipient shall participate in a post-award teleconference/webinar, within two (2) weeks following the award. The goal of this meeting is to ensure a clear understanding by all of study tasks, concerns, availability of relevant data and reports, deliverables, and timelines. The Recipient shall provide a draft agenda to meeting participants prior to the meeting and provide a Meeting Summary to participants within one (1) week after the meeting.

B. Quarterly and Annual Progress Reports: The Recipient shall prepare and submit status reports on a quarterly basis. The reports will briefly report on work done during the reporting period, as well as problems encountered or anticipated, their budget and scheduling impacts, and proposed remedies. Annual reports shall summarize information from Quarterly Reports and describe preliminary results, with particular focus on significant or unexpected findings. The documents shall be submitted to BOEM, in accordance with the Schedule of Deliverables.

C. Logistics, Cruise, and Sampling Plan: As needed, submit a logistics, cruise and sampling plan three (3) months prior to field seasons.

D. Field Report: As needed, submit a field report within one (1) month of completion of the field season.

E. Annual Presentation Slides Sets: Prepare annual collections of approximately 10 high-resolution digital photographs or equivalent computer slide show for BOEM’s use in publications and presentations. The photographs should document the fieldwork, clearly show the nature of the work and show scientists at work. The photograph names should be clearly identified by the nature of the picture (i.e., not with a numbering scheme).

F. Presentation at Regional Science Meetings: The Recipient shall make at least one (1) presentation at a regional science meeting, as requested by the Project Officer, to communicate the procedures, methodologies, and/or results of this study. The Project Officer shall be provided with a copy of any abstract prior to submission, as well as the presentation materials.

G. Journal Publication(s): A scientific article or multiple articles shall be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Drafts of manuscripts must be provided to BOEM prior to journal submittal. Articles will summarize major objectives, methods, significant results, conclusions, and implications of the work. Submission of multiple journal articles dealing with auxiliary subject matter is encouraged but not required. If published, reprints shall be provided to BOEM. All journal articles must include contain an acknowledgment of support from BOEM under this Agreement.

H. Draft Final Report with Draft Technical Summary: The Recipient shall submit a draft Final Report for BOEM review within 32 months after award. The report shall summarize the results of the literature searches and present the working group’s suggestions for addressing identified information needs. The documents shall be submitted to BOEM, in accordance with the Schedule of Deliverables, for scientific and editorial review in a format as specified at the BOEM website: http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Studies-Program-Report-Specifications/.

I. Revised Final Report with Revised Technical Summary: The Recipient shall revise the draft Final Report and Technical Summary per BOEM review comments, in accordance with the Schedule of Deliverables.

J. Letter discussing how BOEM comments were addressed: The Recipient shall provide a letter explaining the reasons for any review comments on a draft report not accommodated, in accordance with the Schedule of Deliverables.

K. PowerPoint Presentation: The Recipient shall prepare a PowerPoint Presentation that portrays:

SCHEDULE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLES

Deliverable products shall be submitted to the addresses shown below in accordance with the following schedule:

CO – one (1) copy* Chief, DES – one (1) copy

Within two (2) weeks of award. Summary Report due within one (1) week after meeting.

CO – one (1) copy* Chief, DES – one (1) copy The 15th of the month following the end of each calendar quarter. Shall be submitted by email.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) copy The 15th of the month following the end of each project year. May be submitted by email.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) copy At least three (3) months prior to each field season.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Within one (1) month of completion of each field season.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) digital copy Within one (1) month of completion of each field season.

When requested by PO.

During the Period of Performance

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) digital copy At least four (4) months before End of Performance.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) digital copy 30 days after receiving BOEM review comments.

CO – one (1) digital copy* Chief, DES – one (1) digital copy With revised final report.

CO – copy of cover letter only* Chief, DES – one (1) digital copy With revised final report.

* Deliverables for CO to be submitted via upload to the Grant Solutions system.

ADDRESSES FOR DELIVERABLES

Project Officer [PO] Heather Crowley Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 3801 Centerpoint Drive, Suite 500 Anchorage, AK 99503 heather.crowley@boem.gov 907-334-5281 Contracting Officer [CO] Dominique Bruce-Morton U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Acquisition Operations Branch 45600 Woodland Road, MS VAE-AMD Sterling, VA 20166-9216 dominique.bruce-morton@bsee.gov 703-787-1342

Chief, Division of Environmental Sciences [DES] U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Division of Environmental Sciences 45600 Woodland Road, MS VAM-OEP Sterling, VA 20166-9216 EnvironmentalStudiesProgram2@boem.gov

SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

Scientific integrity is vital to Department of the Interior (DOI) activities under which scientific research, data, summaries, syntheses, interpretations, presentations, and/or publications are developed and used. Failure to uphold the highest degree of scientific integrity will result not only in potentially flawed scientific results, interpretations, and applications but will damage DOI’s reputation and ability to uphold the public’s trust. All work performed must comply with the DOI Scientific Integrity Policy posted to http://www.doi.gov, or its equivalent as provided by their organization or State law.