Attachment 002 SOW Benthic Analysis.pdf

NC-NM6300-22-01116

Performance Work Statement

Cordell Bank NMS Marine Research Services

1. BACKGROUND

NOAA’s Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary (CBNMS) requires the services of a contractor to assist with science activities at the site. The contractor will support and participate in data collection and provide data analysis and product development from data collected during research and monitoring activities in CBNMS and GFNMS.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Under guidance from the Technical Point of Contact, the contractor shall provide scientific and analytical support to CBNMS and GFNMS.

3. TASKS

Base Year

a. Assist with planning and preparations and participate in research cruises in 2022-

2023 (dependent on funded cruises).

b. Assist with management of data collected on multiple research cruises

(dependent on funded cruises), such as saving digital media, renaming files, providing metadata, creating backup files, copying files to the server, and archiving files with appropriate NOAA data archiving facilities.

c. Evaluate further use of SeaTube video archiving platform, or other platforms, and upload data as appropriate.

d. Organize and enter metadata into a database for photos and video taken on cruises.

e. Post-process underwater images collected during benthic characterization cruises to include: evaluating data quality, analyzing habitat, identifying fish and invertebrates to lowest taxa possible, describing species associations, and describing species health. Correlate species information with navigational data for geo-referenced records.

f. Query the database to inform data analysis, summaries, and management.

g. Conduct analyses of data collected during research and monitoring missions and produce summary maps, statistics and figures. Integrate new data into the existing data storage structure of biological, oceanographic, geologic, socioeconomic, and other thematic data.

h. Draft, review, and edit technical summaries of research activities and results.

i. Prepare figures, results, data summaries, and text for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

j. Produce maps, graphics, and other products to support resource protection and educational interpretation.

k. Support completion of CBNMS condition report.

l. Create inventory of benthic science needs and projects completed. Create database to include data for all projects.

m. Support scoping of science needs and development of science strategies for draft management plan.

Option Year 1

a. Assist with planning and preparations and participate in research cruises in 2023- 2024 (dependent on funded cruises).

b. Assist with management of data collected on multiple research cruises (dependent on funded cruises), such as saving digital media, renaming files, providing metadata, creating backup files, copying files to the server, and archiving files with appropriate NOAA data archiving facilities.

c. Upload data to online data storage platforms as appropriate.

d. Organize and enter metadata into a database for photos and video taken on cruises.

e. Post-process underwater images collected during benthic characterization cruises to include: evaluating data quality, analyzing habitat, identifying fish and invertebrates to lowest taxa possible, describing species associations, and describing species health. Correlate species information with navigational data for geo-referenced records.

f. Query the database to inform data analysis, summaries, and management.

g. Conduct analyses of data collected during research and monitoring missions and produce summary maps, statistics and figures. Integrate new data into the existing data storage structure of biological, oceanographic, geologic, socioeconomic, and other thematic data.

h. Draft, review, and edit technical summaries of research activities and results.

i. Prepare figures, results, data summaries, and text for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

j. Produce maps, graphics, and other products to support resource protection and educational interpretation.

k. Support development of science strategies for final management plan.

l. Update inventory of benthic science needs and projects completed. Update database of data for all projects.

Option Year 2

a. Assist with planning and preparations and participate in research cruises in 2024- 2025 (dependent on funded cruises)

b. Assist with management of data collected on multiple research cruises (dependent on funded cruises), such as saving digital media, re-naming files, providing metadata, creating back up files, copying files to the server, and archiving files with appropriate NOAA data archiving facilities.

c. Upload data to online data storage platforms as appropriate.

d. Organize and enter metadata into a database for photos and video taken on cruises.

e. Post-process underwater images collected during benthic characterization cruises to include: evaluating data quality, analyzing habitat, identifying fish and invertebrates to lowest taxa possible, describing species associations, and describing species health. Correlate species information with navigational data for geo-referenced records.

f. Query the database to inform data analysis, summaries, and management.

g. Conduct analyses of data collected during research and monitoring missions and produce summary maps, statistics and figures. Integrate new data into the existing data storage structure of biological, oceanographic, geologic, socioeconomic, and other thematic data.

h. Draft, review, and edit technical summaries of research activities and results.

i. Prepare figures, results, data summaries, and text for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

j. Produce maps, graphics, and other products to support resource protection and educational interpretation.

k. Update inventory of benthic science needs and projects completed. Update

Option Year 3

a. Assist with planning and preparations and participate in research cruises in 2025- 2026 (dependent on funded cruises)

b. Assist with management of data collected on multiple research cruises (dependent on funded cruises), such as saving digital media, re-naming files, providing metadata, creating back up files, copying files to the server, and archiving files with appropriate NOAA data archiving facilities.

c. Upload data to online data storage platforms as appropriate.

d. Organize and enter metadata into a database for photos and video taken on cruises.

e. Post-process underwater images collected during benthic characterization cruises to include: evaluating data quality, analyzing habitat, identifying fish and invertebrates to lowest taxa possible, describing species associations, and describing species health. Correlate species information with navigational data for geo-referenced records.

f. Query the database to inform data analysis, summaries, and management.

g. Conduct analyses of data collected during research and monitoring missions and produce summary maps, statistics and figures. Integrate new data into the existing data storage structure of biological, oceanographic, geologic, socioeconomic, and other thematic data.

h. Draft, review, and edit technical summaries of research activities and results.

i. Prepare figures, results, data summaries, and text for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

j. Produce maps, graphics, and other products to support resource protection and educational interpretation.

k. Update inventory of benthic science needs and projects completed. Update

4. DELIVERABLES

Deliverable Due Date

(a) Final draft of technical summary of 2021 ROV survey September 30, 2022

(b) Final Condition report content and edits complete November 30, 2022

(c) Exploratory draft of manuscript (CBNMS coral zonation manuscript or other subject TBD) December 30, 2022

(d) Completed draft of manuscript March 30, 2023

(e) Assist with planning Okeanos Explorer (or other vessel) dives, pending ship time allocation March 30, 2023

(f) Complete data analysis of newly collected (if available), or previously collected data and ensure data is archived and shared appropriately

May 30, 2023

(g) First draft of technical summary of data analysis June 30, 2023

(h) Final draft of technical summary of data analysis July 30, 2023

(i) Draft project inventory complete August 14, 2023

(k) Draft content for management scoping complete August 14, 2023

(l) Digital files through 2022 field activities properly duplicated, organized, and archived with metadata. August 14, 2023

(m) Maps and summary products of research completed for research interpretation and programmatic support August 14, 2023

(n) Assist with preparations and participate in 2022-2023 at-sea operations

August 14, 2023

(a) Final draft manuscript prepared for peer review (CBNMS coral zonation or other subject TBD)

September 30, 2023

(b) Complete data analysis of newly collected (if available), or previously collected data and ensure data is archived and shared appropriately

January 30, 2024

(c) First draft of technical summary of data analysis March 30, 2024

(d) Final draft of technical summary of data analysis April 30, 2024

(e) Final edits for draft manuscript complete May 30, 2024

(f) Content for draft management plan complete June 30, 2024

(g) Update project inventory and database August 14, 2024

(h) Digital files through 2023 field activities properly duplicated, organized, and archived with metadata.

August 14, 2024

(i) Maps and summary products of research completed for research interpretation and programmatic support

August 14, 2024

(j) Assist with planning and preparations, and participate in 2023-2024 at-sea operations August 14, 2024

(k) Final manuscript submitted to journal for publication August 14, 2024

(a) Complete data analysis of newly collected (if available), or previously collected data and ensure data is archived and shared appropriately

January 30, 2025

(b) First draft of technical summary of data analysis March 30, 2025

(c) Final of technical summary of data analysis May 30, 2025

(d) First draft of manuscript prepared for peer review June 30, 2025

(e) Final draft of manuscript prepared for peer review July 30, 2025

(f) Update project inventory and database August 14, 2025

(g) Digital files through 2024 field activities properly duplicated, organized, and archived with metadata.

August 14, 2025

(h) Maps and summary products of research completed for research interpretation and programmatic support August 14, 2025

(i) Assist with preparations and participate in 2024-2025 at-sea operations August 14, 2025

(a) Complete data analysis of newly collected (if available), or previously collected data and ensure data is archived and shared appropriately

January 30, 2026

(b) First draft of technical summary of data analysis March 30, 2026

(c) Final of technical summary of data analysis May 30, 2026

(d) First draft of manuscript prepared for peer review June 30, 2026

(e) Final draft of manuscript prepared for peer review July 30, 2026

(f) Update project inventory and database August 14, 2026

(g) Digital files through 2024 field activities properly duplicated, organized, and archived with metadata.

August 14, 2026

(h) Maps and summary products of research completed for research interpretation and programmatic support August 14, 2026

(i) Assist with preparations and participate in 2025-2026 at-sea operations August 14, 2026

5. PERSONNEL

4.1 Qualifications

a. M.S. in Marine Ecology or related discipline;

b. Experience on vessels and knowledge of safe vessel operations;

c. Excellent written and verbal communication;

d. Proficiency with statistical analyses and software;

e. Expertise with ArcGIS editing and the use of ArcGIS extensions such as Spatial

Analyst, 3D Analyst and Geostatistical Analyst;

f. Knowledge and expertise identifying, cataloging, and analyzing a variety of benthic data from ROV and submersibles missions off the northern California coast, including expertise in identifying from video and still images, fish and invertebrates to species or the lowest taxonomic level possible

g. Knowledge of a range of marine associated disciplines to include ecology, oceanography, and fisheries.

6. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Workspace provided by contractor

7. TRAVEL

Travel, lodging and meals for conducting field research and analysis are reimbursable with prior approval from the COR. The contractor shall maintain records to support all reimbursable travel costs, which shall be made available to the Government for inspection, acceptance, and approval. Invoices must contain one copy of all receipts for reimbursable lodging and airfare expenses, and for any other approved expenditure. Travel costs are estimated at approximately $1,000. Trip lengths may vary from two days to two weeks in length.

8. EXPENSES – REIMBURSABLE ITEMS

No expenses are anticipated for this contract.

LOCATION SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

Contractor is authorized after hours and weekend access to NOAA facilities and vessels provided they have been vetted per the procedures as outlined in master contract and have been authorized for such access by the COR in coordination with program managers.

Contractor may be authorized use of Government owned vehicles for the purposes of carrying out the deliverables in this task order provided they have been authorized by the COR in coordination with local program managers.

Contractor may be required to assist the Government in an orderly shutdown and restart of operations due to natural disasters, civil emergencies, lapse in appropriation or other event.

9. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023

September 1, 2023-August 31, 2024

September 1, 2024-August 31, 2025

September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026

10. IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of 48 CFR 1352.239-73 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required. The government will provide the necessary computer equipment and information to perform this contract. All work must be performed upon government furnished equipment and if addition hardware and/or software is needed, the Contractor must request the additional requirements from the COR. The contractor will be using government furnished equipment (GFE), which is currently covered by an existing government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) package.

11. TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)

Danielle Lipski

Research Coordinator Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries 991 Marine Drive, The Presidio San Francisco, CA 94129 Desk (google voice): 415-530-5357 Cell phone: 805-975-5414