DRAFT Attachment 1 - Statement of Work REQUIREMENTS-26-3377 (1).pdf

DRAFT

STATEMENT OF WORK

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), Great Lakes Environmental Research

Laboratory (GLERL), and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

(AOML)

Filtering Instrument for DNA Observation (FIDO) for NOAA Research eDNA Sampling

1. Introduction

1.1. Mission

NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) conduct scientific research, collect critical ecological data, and develop advanced technologies across marine and Great Lakes ecosystems. These activities support the agency’s mission of scientific understanding, service, and environmental stewardship to help society address ongoing and emerging environmental challenges.

1.2. Background:

NOAA’s PMEL, GLERL, and AOML leverage advanced omics technologies, such as analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) collected during hydrographic cruises and monitoring activities, to evaluate marine and aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem function. To support these agency-wide sampling initiatives, NOAA requires the procurement of specialized eDNA sampling instrumentation and technical development services.

This procurement provides critical infrastructure required to execute scientific research and fulfill NOAA mission objectives to modernize surveys and sustain long-term ocean observations. Acquiring this advanced, autonomous eDNA sampling system will enable high-throughput sample collection while maximizing agency efficiency and resources. PMEL, in collaboration with GLERL and AOML, requires the customization and enhancement of MBARI’s Filtering Instrument for DNA Observations (FIDO) system to meet specific NOAA operational requirements.

1. 3. Scope of Work:

This PWS covers the development of an automated multi-sampler module compatible with MBARI’s FIDO system, the procurement of three FIDO systems equipped with these modules, and associated system demonstrations and training. To meet NOAA requirements, the project will incorporate at least three sampling channels capable of drawing directly from Niskin bottle samplers and/or multiple bulk sample sources. The contractor must provide NOAA staff with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and hands-on training for the FIDO system and multi-sampler module. Data from collected samples will support NOAA’s eDNA goals associated with fisheries, harmful algal blooms (HABs), invasive species, and biodiversity management actions, as well as broader human and ecosystem health initiatives.

2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise contractor employees nor control the method by which the contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that may be deemed as personal services.

2.2. Contract Administration and Management

The Contractor shall establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer the requirement. The Contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion. The Contractor shall have a single point of contact between the Government and contractor personnel assigned to support contracts or task orders. The Contractor shall assign work effort and maintain proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work on the requirement.

2.3. Project Management

The contractor shall attend coordination and project meetings and provide oversight throughout the performance of this project, ensuring that Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is involved in project planning and meetings.

2.4. Location of Work

Work required by this PWS will be performed at one of the NOAA Research Laboratories (Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), or Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)) for training and demonstrations on how the multi-sampler module and FIDO system operate.

2.5. Travel

Travel to mission deployments and training efforts is required. For travel required by the Government that is outside the local commuting area(s), actual travel costs will be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 31.205-46 and Federal Travel Regulations. COR approval must be obtained by the contractor (electronic email is acceptable) for all reimbursable travel in advance of each travel event. Profit shall not be applied to travel costs.

If travel and/or ODCs are required under this contract, they shall be requested and approved in advance and (except as otherwise authorized herein) in writing by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

All travel hereunder shall be accomplished in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and the Department of Commerce Travel Handbook (DOCTH), available online respectively at:

FTR – https://www.gsa.gov/policy-regulations/regulations/federal-travel-regulation

DOCTH – https://www.commerce.gov/ofm/publications/handbooks-and-manuals/travel-management

All travel requests shall be pre-authorized, submitted to the COR at least five business days prior to the departure date and shall include:

● The purpose of the trip

● The destination

● The duration (and times of initial departure and return)

● The number of personnel traveling, and their respective names and titles

● The estimated cost per person, including a breakdown of the costs for transportation (airfare, car rental, parking) and Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE).

Travel invoices shall include an affirmation signed by an authorized corporate representative stating that the costs submitted are compliant with the FTR and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31—Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.

Reimbursement shall not exceed the rates and expenses allowed by the Federal Travel Regulations to a government employee traveling under identical circumstances and shall not exceed Federal Travel limits without prior approval from the COR. The contractor shall make a good faith effort to obtain the lowest standard coach or equivalent airfare.

The contractor shall take advantage of travel discounts whenever possible. Except as otherwise provided herein, payment will be made for actual common carrier fares plus cost of travel between the contractor employee’s home (or regular duty station) and the carrier terminal and temporary duty points for travel by the most reasonable and economical means.

3. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

3.1. Automated Multi-Sample Module and System Integration Services.

3.1.1. The contractor shall design, fabricate, and deliver an automated multi-channel water sampling module engineered specifically for integration with the FIDO system. To prevent cross-contamination between consecutive sampling events, the module must incorporate automated flushing and/or cleaning protocols prior to sample delivery to the FIDO system. The multi-sample module shall support sequential sampling from at least three (3) Niskin bottles or bulk water sample sources. The module must feature automated positioning mechanisms to transition between sample containers, and its software controls shall be fully integrated into the existing FIDO program interface to ensure intuitive operation.

The integrated FIDO system shall collect, filter, and preserve a minimum of 100 eDNA samples. The system must support two-way remote communication and include a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) for sample scheduling and instrument diagnostics. Additionally, the system must generate and report metadata in compliance with Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable eDNA (FAIRe) guidelines, Better Biomolecular Ocean Practices (BeBOP) standards, and Darwin Core frameworks.

Reported metadata shall include, at a minimum, sample volume, date-and-time stamps, flow rate, unique filter identifiers, and applied operational protocols.

3.1.2. The contractor shall integrate the automated multi-sample module into the FIDO platform. One fully functional and integrated multi-sample module and FIDO system shall be tested at a NOAA

Research facility, ensuring the specification and system training. The contractor shall provide a SOP and provide training of the integrated system to NOAA Research personnel.

3.2. Automated Multi-Sample Module – FIDO Hardware Services.

3.2.1. The contractor shall deliver three (3) fully integrated automated multi-sample modules and FIDO systems to PMEL, AMOL, and GLERL. All software and system programs will be supplied. The contractor shall assist with any coding or error issues and troubleshooting of the system for at least one year after delivery of the system.

4. Deliverables

PWS

Ref.

Deliverable Due Date Medium Submit to

3.1.1. Automated multi-sample

module

March 2028 Physical Delivery

Contracting Officer Representative

(COR)

3.1.1. FIDO system March 2028 Physical

Delivery

COR

3.1.2. Delivery of one (1)

automated multi-sampler module fully integrated into the FIDO system.

No later than 15 days prior to field test

Physical Delivery

COR

3.1.2. SOP No later than 15

days prior to field test

Physical Delivery

COR

3.1.2. Training at NOAA

facility

No later than 24 hours prior to field test

COR

3.2.1. Fabrication and delivery

two (2) additional FIDO systems integrated with automated multi-sampler modules

September 28, Physical Delivery

COR

5. Performance Requirement Summary (PRS)

PWS

Ref.

Performance Standard Quality level

Method of Surveillance

Incentive/Disincentive

3.1.1. An automated multi-sampler

module capable of collecting a minimum of three (3) consecutive samples, featuring fully integrated software controls operated through the primary FIDO control interface.

100% Inspection and acceptance

Incentive – Favorable

CPARS

Disincentive -Corrective action plan submitted to COR for review;

unfavorable CPARS

3.1.1. A FIDO system capable of

collecting, filtering, and preserving a minimum of 100 eDNA samples. The system must feature two-way communication via a web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI), capture metadata in accordance with FAIR/FAIRe data principles, and support direct data downloads.

100% Inspection and acceptance

Incentive – Favorable

CPARS

Disincentive -Corrective action plan submitted to COR for review;

unfavorable CPARS

3.1.2. A comprehensive Standard

Operating Procedure (SOP) manual that fully details all operational protocols for the FIDO system, the automated multi-sampler module, and associated software. The SOP shall include step-by-step instructions for routine operations, data downloads, system maintenance, and troubleshooting.

100% Inspection and acceptance

Incentive – Favorable

CPARS

Disincentive -Corrective action plan submitted to COR for review;

unfavorable CPARS

PWS

Ref.

Performance Standard Quality level

Method of Surveillance

Incentive/Disincentive

3.1.2. Conduct operational training for

NOAA personnel covering the FIDO system, automated multi-sampler module, and associated software. Training shall include hands-on instruction on configuring and setting up the system for field deployments tailored to NOAA’s specific research objectives.

100% Inspection and acceptance

Incentive – Favorable

CPARS

Disincentive -Corrective action plan submitted to COR for review;

unfavorable CPARS

Continued support of the FIDO system, automated multi-sampler module, and associated software for up to one (1) year following the final system acceptance and delivery.

100% Inspection and acceptance

Incentive – Favorable

CPARS

Disincentive -Corrective action plan submitted to COR for review;

unfavorable CPARS