Attachment_A_-_Sample_Task_Order_A.pdf

USGS Contract #TBD Sample Task Order A

Statement of Work

1. Background The Integrated Modeling and Prediction Division (IMPD) of the USGS Water Mission Area (WMA) develops, maintains, and supports computer applications, including several that use daily streamflow and groundwater-level time-series data provided through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS). These programs are used for statistical analyses and to estimate groundwater recharge and the groundwater-discharge component of streamflow (base flow), among other tasks. These applications are used by hydrologists within and outside of the USGS. Under a previous contract, a number of the groundwater recharge and base-flow programs were combined into the Groundwater (GW) Toolbox;

the first three versions of this program (1.0, 1.1, and 1.1.1) were publicly released between January and October 2015. Version 1.2 of the GW Toolbox was released October 1, 2016 and included batch-file processing for hydrograph separation and improved functionality to work with time-series data. Two digital-filtering techniques for hydrograph separation were released with version 1.3 of the GW Toolbox in April 2017, as well as updated functionality for the RECESS process to estimate a basin-wide base-flow recession constant. During 2019, a version of the GW Toolbox was provided to the USGS under the previous contract that allowed for command-line execution of the software. This version allows for calculation and reporting of base flow on a weekly basis using data from a national network of USGS streamgages.

Separately, IMPD has developed a Surface-Water (SW) Toolbox, also under the previous contract. The primary purpose of the SW Toolbox is to compute low-flow statistics and flow-duration curves. An initial version of the SW Toolbox was released to the public on March 7, 2018. Under Task Order 1 of the current contract, a new version of the SW Toolbox was released in March 2020 that included a number of bug fixes and enhancements, such as compatibility of the software with the latest version (3.6) of the R software language and the addition of descriptive statistics and variables associated with frequency analyses to the batch-mode output.

The GW and SW Toolboxes were built on a similar mapping and graphical user interface and have complementary functionality. Because of this, it had been the intent of staff in IMPD to combine the two separate Toolboxes into a single software package after formal release of the SW Toolbox. Work was done to integrate the two Toolboxes into a single Hydrologic Toolbox within the DotSpatial geographic information system library under previous task orders and the initial version of the Hydrologic Toolbox was released in May 2022. No further development work is planned for either the GW and SW Toolboxes, and they will be sunsetted at a future, as-yet unspecified date.

USGS also maintains the PeakFQ software program for analyzing peak flow frequency. This software implements methods described in federal flood frequency guidelines (Bulletin 17C). It is intended to facilitate a reproducible workflow using reviewed computational code to process data from the USGS Peak Flow File and user specifications stored in an input file. User inputs and options are also documented in the output results. The software includes plots to help the user visualize inputs and outputs. The USGS and contractor have worked together in the development of PeakFQ and the current

Sample Task Order A / XXXXX version of the software (version 7.4.0) was completed under previous contracts and released in June 2022. The WMA recently discovered that the algorithm in the PeakFQ software has an error related to the computation of weighted skew. The WMA has worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate the magnitude and effect of these bugs related to at-site peak flow analyses, analyses performed for regional skew studies, as well as overall impact on regional skew studies. WMA and USACE have identified the revisions to the core mathematical procedures and new procedures that will be necessary to correct the errors.

Also under previous task orders, development began on standard integration testing procedures for the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ software. Establishing standard integration testing procedures is important for all WMA software and there is a need to develop procedures for additional WMA software beyond the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ.

2. Objectives

The first objective of this task order is to prepare a revision to the current version of the PeakFQ software to address minor bugs in the current version; the second objective is to then prepare a subsequent beta-release version of PeakFQ that addresses the errors in the software identified by WMA and USACE.

The third major objective is to complete standard integration testing procedures for the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ software and to begin development of testing procedures for other WMA software as needed.

The fourth major objective is to provide updates to the Hydrologic Toolbox and continued maintenance and user support for USGS software programs Hydrologic Toolbox, PeakFQ, and, to a lesser extent, the GW and SW Toolboxes. Updates to the Hydrologic Toolbox may involve documentation revisions or additions, bug fixes, software updates, and releases of updated versions of the software.

3. Statement of Work This statement of work consists of the following:

Task 1: Prepare a new PeakFQ release

A number of bugs and needed updates to the current version of PeakFQ (version 7.4.0) have been identified by the WMA. These bugs and updates will be provided to the contractor and the contractor will work with the USGS to implement the identified revisions into a new version of PeakFQ (version 7.4.1). Modifying/correcting the software and revising related documentation for the software will be an iterative process as the software is prepared for final distribution. Contractor will work with USGS at each step, with USGS testing the programs and providing review comments, and the Contractor addressing review comments and problems and providing updated programs. This task will be completed within the first six months of the task order.

Task 2: Prepare a beta PeakFQ software release to correct errors related to the computation and use of weighted skew

As noted above, the WMA has recently discovered that the PeakFQ software has errors related to the computation and use of weighted skew in the software. The WMA has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate the magnitude and effect of these bugs related to at-site peak flow analyses, analyses performed for regional skew studies, as well as overall impact on regional skew studies. WMA and USACE have identified the revisions to the core mathematical procedures and new procedures that will be necessary to correct the errors. These revisions will be provided to the contractor and the contractor will work with the USGS to implement the identified revisions into a new beta version of PeakFQ (version 7.5.0). This beta version of the software will be released publicly for testing by the hydrologic community. Preparing the beta version of the software, including any documentation related to the software will be an iterative process as the software is prepared for final distribution. Contractor will work with USGS at each step, with USGS testing the programs and providing review comments, and the Contractor addressing review comments and problems and providing updated programs. This task will be completed by the end of the Period of Performance of the task order.

Task 3: Complete standard integration testing procedures for the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ software; update procedures and begin development of testing procedures for other WMA software as needed

Complete the development of standard integration testing procedures to verify that updates to software have not resulted in unwanted changes elsewhere. This should include a standard set of inputs and outputs that are verified for each change. Update these testing procedures as needed in response to user feedback. Begin development of testing procedures for other WMA software as needed.

Task 4: Continued software maintenance, development, and support

Task 4A: Provide general support and participate in conference calls as needed to discuss progress and resolve problems. USGS will provide most user support. When the USGS cannot resolve a user issue, the problem will be forwarded to the contractor. This support will be provided as needed via telephone or email.

Task 4B: The Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ have been tested extensively. However, it is expected that whenever new versions of the programs are released to a broader audience, some bugs and deficiencies may be identified. Address software bugs, deficiencies, and other unforeseen problems (or requested enhancements) with all components of the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ as requested by IMPD staff.

Task 4C: Provide documentation for all new aspects of the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ developed in Tasks described above. Final documentation for the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ will be developed collaboratively by the Contractor and USGS staff, with USGS staff taking the lead role.

Task 4D: Explore and test options for hosting datasets used by the Hydrologic Toolbox and maintained on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency servers on the cloud.

Task 4E: Work with USGS staff to prepare all new versions of the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ for public release. This includes working with USGS to move all repositories for the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ into the USGS Git repository (code.usgs.gov).

4. Period of Performance The period of performance will commence on date of award and shall be completed within 16 months of the date of the award.

5. Deliverables Item No.

Description Due Dates

1 Prepare version 7.4.1 of PeakFQ within first six months of the start date of the task order.

Within first six months of task order

2 Prepare beta version 7.5.0 of PeakFQ by end of the task order.

By end of Period of Performance of the task order

3 Develop and update a set of standard integration testing procedures, including a standard set of inputs and outputs that are verified for each software change.

By end of Period of Performance of the task order

4A General support to include (1) responding to questions from USGS about problems using the software and (2) periodic participation in conference calls.

As needed during life of the task order

4B Address software bugs, deficiencies, and other unforeseen problems (or enhancements) as directed and provide updated software distribution packages.

As needed during life of the task order

4C Documentation including all methods currently implemented.

As needed during the life of the task order

4D Explore and test cloud options to host Hydrologic Toolbox datasets.

Within first six months of task order

4E Work with USGS staff to prepare new versions of the Hydrologic Toolbox and PeakFQ.

As needed during the life of the task order

5 Work with USGS to explore options for web versions of WMA software.

As needed during the life of the task order

6. Inspection and Acceptance See Contract #TBD.

7. Government Furnished Materials None.

8. IT Security Requirements See Contract #TBD and completed FISMA 18-Point Checklist.

9. 508 Compliance See Contract #TBD and completed Accessibility Requirements Tool (ART).

10. Travel Estimates No travel will be needed for this task order.