Sci-Tech SAMPLE TASK I.doc

SAMPLE TASK I --Research-to-Operations for NOAA Coral Reef Watch

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INTRODUCTION

This task provides support for the NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) program. The intent is to enhance CRW operational products, develop new experimental products, support programmatic activities, and continue outreach and international collaboration activities.

The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) supports effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems. The CRCP is a Matrix program which meets the objectives of NOAA's mission under the Ecosystem Goal Program. This is partially in response to the President's 1998 Executive Order creating the US Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). NOAA's role is further developed in the "National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs.” These activities are influenced by resolutions of the USCRTF and increasingly by the international community through the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) and collaborations with the World Bank (WB), World Fish (ReefBase), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

The CRCP's coral reef monitoring efforts are implemented under the NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) program, which includes both satellite and in situ components. The NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) supports scientific research-to-operations activities to create, enhance, and maintain state-of-the-art data, products and services for decision-makers. The ongoing partnership between the CRCP and STAR, as an important satellite-monitoring component of the Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System (CREIOS), has developed the capability for near-real-time processing, communication, storage, and delivery of satellite-derived (primarily AVHRR) coral reef monitoring products to US and international government users.

CRW, as part of STAR'S Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD), works closely with NESDIS's Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (OSDPD) and the CRCP's Coral Reef Information System (CoRIS). This includes the provision of support to users in scheduling and ordering CRW acquisitions and processing, in accessing data from OSDPD, and in providing prototype operational products for applications demonstrations. Presently NESDIS maintains a growing suite of operational and experimental CRW products, including: coral reef bleaching HotSpot charts, Degree Heating Week (DHW) charts, Virtual Stations, Satellite Bleaching Alerts, and various reporting forms for exchange of data. There is a continuing need to evaluate these data and their products, to develop techniques to enhance the application of these data, and to include additional satellite data with relevance for our coral reefs.

To successfully implement the cross-NOAA effort that encompasses the CRCP and CREIOS, the CRW program must be to be coordinated to encourage the optimal performance of activities by STAR, OSDPD, CoRIS, and other NOAA line offices. Outside of NOAA, the successful coordination of CRW’s expanding partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on coral reef-related algorithms has opened additional collaborative pathways for research and product development. New products, and refinements of existing products, are envisioned for addition to the coral reef manager's toolbox based on feedback from workshops and reports from the field.

The CRW program requires staff support for 4 main subtasks:

1. Technical support for operational monitoring and product implementation.

2. Technical support for product development.

3. Program support for CRW, CRCP/CREIOS and NESDIS/STAR.

4. Program support for outreach and international activities.

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SCOPE OF WORK

The contractor shall provide technical and program support to the NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) program as follows:

Subtask 1: Technical support for operational monitoring and product implementation.

The objective of this subtask is to provide scientific support and assist in the oversight of the CRW research-to-operations algorithm and software development, software and product validation, operational implementation of display and product-production software, applications demonstrations, documentation of scientific algorithms and applications, and routine user interaction in support of systems for near-real-time CRW imagery and derived-product distribution and application.

Subtask 2: Technical support for product development.

The objective of this subtask is to provide scientific and technical support for NESDIS's coral reef monitoring and assessment activities, especially through advancing experimental product development, providing application demonstrations, documentation of scientific algorithms and applications, forging product relevant collaborative linkages both internal and external to NOAA, and routine user interaction in support of systems for near-real-time NESDIS derived-product distribution and application. Ongoing activities include assisting in the refinement and implementation of coral reef thermal stress and geochemical remote sensing research, application, and data/information services in NESDIS/STAR, working with other NESDIS offices and NOAA line offices as appropriate.

Subtask 3: Program support for CRW, CRCP/CREIOS and NESDIS/STAR.

The objective of this subtask is to provide scientific and technical support, and program coordination, for CRW coral reef monitoring and assessment activities, especially those related to the development and implementation of CREIOS. In order to successfully implement the cross-NOAA effort that encompasses the CRCP and CREIOS, the CRW program must be to be coordinated to encourage the optimal performance of activities by STAR, OSDPD, CoRIS, and other NOAA line offices.

Subtask 4: Program support for outreach and international activities.

The objective of this subtask is to program coordination for CRW coral reef monitoring and assessment activities related to outreach activities and international partnerships. CRW has a variety of outreach and education products for coral reef managers and stakeholders, as well as general science education products for elementary through high school students. Outside of NOAA, the successful coordination of CRWs expanding partnership with the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) on coral reef-related algorithms has opened additional collaborative pathways for research and product development. Additional products, and refinements of existing products, are envisioned for addition to the coral reef manager's toolbox based on feedback from workshops and reports from the field.

A portion of this work may include collaborative activities and/or modification of algorithms and products under development by other foreign scientific partner-agencies, such as those included within the Australia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NOAA - University of Queensland (UQ), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Administration (GBRMPA). In addition, other collaborations exist and need to be maintained between CRW and ReefBase (World Fish in Malaysia), James Cook University (JCU), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), NASA, and other U. S. agencies on the USCRTF. For this reason, two staff members designated below should be located in Australia.

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STAFFING

The level of effort is six full-time staff as follows:

1. Chief Programmer: Senior Scientist/Oceanographer/Programmer with background in both physical and biological oceanography, coral reef ecosystem processes, and knowledge of theory and applications of infrared and multi-spectral remote sensing is necessary. Experience with use and interpretation of satellite infrared and visible data, and in development of remote sensing products and/or applications in a research-to-operations setting, is mandatory. Computer skills needed to complete this task are a working knowledge of IDL and/or PV-Wave, FORTRAN and/or C, ARC/INFO, ARCView, Perl, databases, HTML, JavaScript, PhotoShop, and web-based tools in Unix and Windows environments.

2. Product Developer: Scientist/Marine Biologist/Analyst with background in marine science, physical and biological oceanography, and/or coral reef ecosystem processes is desirable. Experience with use and interpretation of satellite infrared and visible data aid in development of remote sensing products and/or applications, would be advantageous but is not required. Experience in the use of map servers, a mainstream GIS system such as ARC/INFO, and web based tools are highly desirable. Experience with databases and graphics programs such as PhotoShop would be advantageous. Experience with the use of UNIX and MS Windows computing environments is mandatory. Computer skills needed to complete this task are a working knowledge of one or more of IDL and/or PV-Wave, FORTRAN and/or C, HTML, Perl, and JavaScript. Strong oral and written communication skills are also necessary.

3. Operations Manager: Scientist/Marine Biologist/Analyst with background in marine science, physical and biological oceanography, and/or coral reef ecosystem processes is desirable. Some experience with use and interpretation of satellite infrared and visible data and in development of remote sensing products and/or applications is required. Computer skills needed to complete this task are a working knowledge of one or more of: IDL and/or MATLAB, FORTRAN and/or C/C++, an appropriate statistical and numerical package such as Origin 6.1, and HTML. Strong oral and written communication skills and administrative experience are also necessary.

4. Senior Scientist: Senior Scientist/Satellite Oceanographer with extensive experience in the use of and knowledge of theory and applications of most aspects of ocean remote sensing; and background in oceanography, use of hydrodynamic modeling, and coral reef ecosystem processes. Extensive experience with use and interpretation of satellite infrared and visible data and in development of remote sensing products and/or applications in a research-to-operations setting is mandatory. Knowledge and experience of the following is required: a) algorithms underpinning the NESDIS HotSpot suite of products; b) NOAA/NESDIS/OSDPD operational SST algorithms and procedures; c) all forms of environmental remote sensing, in particular sea surface temperature, solar radiation, wind and ocean color products. Knowledge of the application of the following is required: a) HF and VHF radar for monitoring currents, sea surface roughness and waves; b) design of high resolution hydrodynamic and wave models. This position will involve collaboration with Australian entities and should be located in Australia and will be funded for 12 months each year.

5. Scientist: Scientist/Oceanographer with background in oceanography, hydrodynamic modeling, coral reef ecosystem processes, and knowledge of theory and applications of most aspects of ocean remote sensing. Experience with use and interpretation of satellite infrared data and in development of remote sensing products and/or applications in a research-to-operations setting is mandatory. Knowledge of and some experience with the following is required: a) algorithms underpinning the NESDIS HotSpot suite of products; b) NOAA/NESDIS/OSDPD operational SST algorithms and procedures; c) environmental remote sensing, in particular sea surface temperature, solar radiation, wind and ocean color products; d) HF and VHF radar for monitoring currents, sea surface roughness and waves; e) building and operating high resolution hydrodynamic and wave models. This position will involve collaboration with Australian entities and should be located in Australia and will be funded for 12 months each year.

6. Staff Programmer: Programmer with background in computer science or general science. Experience with computer programming and algorithm development is mandatory. Computer skills needed to complete this task are a working knowledge of one or more of the following: IDL and/or PV-Wave, FORTRAN and/or C, ARC/INFO, ARCView, Perl, databases, HTML, JavaScript, PhotoShop, and web-based tools in Unix and Windows environments. This position will involve supporting collaboration with Australian entities and should be located in Australia and will be funded for 12 months each for 2 years.

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DELIVERABLES

The contractor shall provide Monthly Reports which shall include sufficient detail to allow progress on both projects to be monitored. In addition, the contractor shall provide the following deliverables that are due by the end of the Period of Performance (staff located in Townsville, Australia, are indicated in grey):

Deliverables Subtask 1: Technical support for operational monitoring and product implementation.

Staff (* indicates lead)

X

Deliverables Subtask 2: Technical support for product development.

E50: Global Enhanced 50-km Product Suite

HR: Global High-Resolution Product Suite

GBR: Great Barrier Reef 1-km Product Suite

LSD: Regional Light Stress Damage Product

DZ: Regional Disease Outbreak Product

VS: Virtual Stations

STT: Global Short-term SST Trend Product

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Deliverables Subtask 3: Program support for CRW, CRCP/CREIOS and NESDIS/STAR.

Staff (* indicates lead)

Deliverables Subtask 4: Program support for outreach and international activities.

Staff (* indicates lead)

X

X

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TRAVEL/TRAINING

The contractor shall conduct the following travel and training (staff located in Townsville, Australia, are indicated in grey):

X

X

X

X

X

X

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PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance is January 1, 2010 through December 28, 2011.

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