DRAFT ProTech 2.0 Oceans (6April2023).docx.pdf

U.S. Department of Commerce

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (ProTech 2.0)

Oceans Domain

DRAFT Request for Proposal

RFP#: 1305M423RNAAA0011

Date: [insert]

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DRA

FT

Acquisition and Grants Office Corporate Services Acquisition Division

SECTION A

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

(see attached)

SECTION B

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICE/COST

SCHEDULE

ITEM

NO.

SUPPLIES/SERVICES QTY UNIT UNIT

PRICE

AMOUNT

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) is for Commercial - Fixed Price type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Commercial - Time-and-materials (T&M) type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Commercial - Labor-Hour (LH) type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial Fixed-Price type orders.

Ordering Period: date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial Cost-Reimbursement type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial T&M type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Base Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial LH type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Commercial - Fixed Price type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Commercial - T&M type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Commercial - LH type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial Fixed-Price type orders.

Ordering Period: date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial Cost-Reimbursement type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial T&M type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

1 LOT 0.00 0.00

Option Period: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Solution in accordance with the Performance Work Statement contained in Section C.

This CLIN is for Non-Commercial LH type orders.

Ordering Period: [date to be entered at award] through [date to be entered at award].

B.1 GENERAL

The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (ProTech) solution is a suite of multiple-award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts consisting of four Domains: Satellite, Fisheries, Oceans, and Weather. These Domains provide resources in support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to include its Line and Staff Offices. The ceiling dollar amount for all orders under all ProTech Domains is $8,000,000,000.

Each Domain has its own IDIQ contract with multiple awards. This contract provides professional, scientific, and technical services to the Oceans Domain (hereafter “ProTech Oceans”) under NAICS Code 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services.

The scope of work under ProTech Oceans is defined in Section C.

B.2 BASE AND OPTION PERIODS

The term of ProTech Oceans is a five-year base ordering period and one (1) five-year option ordering period, for a total ordering period of 10 years if all options are exercised. There is no guarantee that the option will be exercised on any or all of the awarded contracts. This is not a multi-year contract as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 17.103.

B.3 CONTRACT TYPE

ProTech Oceans is a multiple-award IDIQ contract that allows for task orders to be issued on a Fixed-Price, Cost-Reimbursement, Time-and-Materials (T&M), and/or Labor-Hour (LH) basis.

Task orders may also combine more than one pricing arrangement (e.g., FFP/LH, etc.), although separate contract line item numbers (CLINs) are required for each pricing arrangement.

B.4 TASK ORDER PRICING

ProTech Oceans provides the flexibility to determine fair and reasonable pricing tailored to the task order requirement dependent upon level of competition, risk, uncertainties, complexity, urgency, and contract type. The Task Order Contracting Officer (TOCO) has the authority and responsibility to determine cost or price reasonableness for task order requirements, normally not to exceed the contracted ceiling rates.

Competition at the task order level is expected to establish fair and reasonable pricing for task orders placed for all contract types. For those relatively rare instances when competition does not exist, these ceiling rates will be available for the TOCO to consider and use.

Exceptions where the TOCO has the flexibility to exceed contracted ceiling rates include the following: special security clearances (see https://www.state.gov/security-clearances), sea days (a period of 24 mean solar hours beginning at local mean noon), hazard pay (see https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/hazardpay), and/or other extraordinary circumstances, https://www.state.gov/security-clearances https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/wages/hazardpay as determined by the TOCO. In addition, the TOCO has the flexibility to exceed contracted ceiling rates when awarding cost reimbursement task orders.

Some task orders may require services that do not correspond to the labor categories included in ProTech Oceans. Accordingly, if permitted by the task order solicitation, the contractor may propose appropriate labor categories and labor rates necessary to meet the requirements of the solicitation despite their not being included in ProTech Oceans as awarded.

The TOCO must establish an appropriate CLIN structure, and identify both the applicable contract type and clear delineation of work at the task level, for all CLINs in each task order.

The labor rates contained in Attachment J-3 are ceiling rates for work taking place in locations within and outside the continental United States. They are not applicable to cost-reimbursement task orders.

B.4.1 Fixed-Price Orders

Fixed-price orders are defined under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 16.2, Fixed-Price Contracts, and other applicable agency-specific regulatory supplements.

B.4.2 Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour Orders

T&M and LH orders are defined under FAR 16.601 and 16.602, respectively, and Commerce Acquisition Manual (CAM) Subpart 1316.1.

The Contractor may provide separate and/or blended loaded hourly labor rates at the task order level for Prime Contractor labor, each Subcontractor/Team Member, and/or each Division, Subsidiary, or Affiliate in accordance with the provisions set forth in FAR 52.216-29, 52.216-30, and/or 52.216-31. The TOCO will identify applicable provision(s) in the task order solicitation and the Contractor shall comply with the provision(s).

B.4.3 Cost-Reimbursement Orders

Cost-Reimbursement orders are defined under FAR Subpart 16.3, Cost-Reimbursement Contracts, and CAM Subpart 1316.1. Cost Reimbursement task orders shall only be used for the acquisition of non-commercial items.

The Contractor shall have and maintain an adequate accounting system that will permit timely development of all necessary cost data in the form required by the proposed contract type. The Contractor may be required to submit a cost proposal with supporting information for each cost element including, but not limited to: direct labor, fringe benefits, overhead, general and administrative expenses, material handling costs, facilities capital cost of money, and other direct costs, consistent with their cost accounting system, provisional billing rates, and forward pricing rate agreements.

The TOCO will identify requirements for certified cost and pricing data and data other than certified cost and pricing data in the task order solicitation and the Contractor shall comply with the provisions set forth in the task order solicitation.

B.4.4 Other Direct Costs

Other Direct Costs (ODCs) established on a cost-reimbursement basis, including travel costs, shall be pre-approved by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) at the task order level and be allowable on the task order only if approved as outlined in the task order.

B.4.5 Program Management Costs

Program management support costs encompass support for management, reporting requirements, and related travel and meeting attendance costs associated with the Contractor’s program management staff as it relates to the overall management of the IDIQ contract. Program Management (IDIQ Contract-Level) Support Costs: Contract-level program management support costs shall not be proposed or billed as a direct charge to the ProTech Oceans IDIQ contract.

Project Management (Task Order-Level) Support Costs: Contract-level program management support costs are differentiated from individual task order project management support costs.

Task order project management support costs may be proposed and billed against individual task orders for direct support of the effort performed under those task orders.

B.5 COMMERCE ACQUISITION REGULATION (CAR) 1352.216-75 MINIMUM

ANDMAXIMUM CONTRACT AMOUNTS (APR 2010)

During the term of ProTech Oceans, the Government will place orders totaling a minimum of $250. The amount of all orders under the ProTech Domains will not exceed $8,000,000,000.

The exercise of the option period does not re-establish the contract minimum.

(End of Clause)

(End of Section B)

SECTION C: PERFORMANCEWORK STATEMENT

C.1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them. We provide environmental intelligence for the nation.

From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring, to fisheries management, coastal restoration, and maintaining marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product.

The people of NOAA use research and tools to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers, and other decision makers with reliable and timely environmental intelligence.

C.2 OBJECTIVES

The overall objectives of the ProTech program are to:

● Obtain high-quality professional and technical service

● Develop an industrial base of partners

● Develop and maintain performance-based contracts

● Contribute to the NOAA mission

Services not covered by the Oceans Domain scope of work include the following:

● Architect and Engineering (A&E) Services subject to the Brooks Act and FAR Subpart

36.6 acquisition procedures;

● Inherently Governmental functions – see the prohibition at FAR 7.503(a);

● Personal services as defined in FAR 37.104(a);

● Legal services;

● Requirements where the primary objective or the predominance of the work is to obtain information technology (IT) services; and

● Requirements for any IT products and services, except where (1) the IT cannot feasibly be separated from the non-IT requirements or (2) when the IT is incidental to contract performance.

o IT is defined by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum 15-14, Management and Oversight of Federal Information Technology, as: Any services or equipment, or interconnected system(s) or subsystem(s) of equipment, that are used in the automatic acquisition, storage, analysis, evaluation, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information by the agency;

where such services or equipment are 'used by an agency' if used by the agency directly or if used by a contractor under a contract with the agency that requires either use of the services or equipment, or requires use of the services or equipment to a significant extent in the performance of a service or the furnishing of a product. If delivering IT products or services, the contractor shall comply with government IT standards, such as those for IT security, and with requirements for sharing and efficiency at the federal, agency, bureau, and line office levels.

o IT is incidental to a contract when the IT services or products are neither contract deliverables nor create, modify, operate or maintain IT used by the government or on its behalf.

C.3 OCEANS SERVICES DOMAIN

The primary clients of this Domain will be the offices of the National Ocean Service (NOS).

NOS’ mission is to provide science-based solutions through collaborative partnerships with industry to address evolving economic, environmental, and social pressures on our ocean and coasts. NOS has identified three priorities that reflect the primary statutory and mission drivers and reflect NOAA’s commitment to navigation services, coastal research and observations, emergency response, and place-based conservation programs. Other NOAA offices may also use the contracts included within this Domain if their requirements are covered herein. The National Ocean Service provides data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy. NOS is dedicated to advancing the following priorities:

Safe and efficient transportation and commerce. Ships move $1.5 trillion worth of products in and out of U.S. ports every year. Every ship moving in and out of U.S. ports relies on navigation charts and water level information that NOS alone provides. All mapping, charting, and transportation activities and infrastructure are founded on a reliable, accurate national coordinate system. NOS is solely responsible for maintaining that system, which provides more than $2.4 billion in potential annual benefits to the U.S. economy. Businesses in the maritime community rely on NOS for a range of decisions, from how much cargo to load to choosing the safest and most efficient route between two points. They use NOS data, tools, and services to plan seasonally for ship schedules to service global trade more safely and efficiently as significantly larger vessels transit through U.S. ports as a result of the Panama Canal expansion.

Preparedness and risk reduction. Coastal communities represent a major economic engine for the United States. Immediate and potentially life-threatening events such as hurricanes, as well as long-term issues like high tide flooding, are real challenges to coastal communities. NOS brings a unique range of information and capabilities to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events. For example, NOS maintains the nation's network of coastal tide and water level sensors to provide real-time data that supports accurate weather forecasts, coastal storm and flood predictions, and tsunami warnings. NOS provides data and tools that enable businesses and coastal communities to better plan for and mitigate risk from changing conditions. The agency provides information and data to protect human health and coastal economies with early warnings of harmful algal blooms and other threats. Every year, NOS responds to natural disasters and more than 150 oil and chemical spills in U.S. and state waters, which damage environments and disrupt economies. As the authoritative resource for science related to marine debris, oil, and chemical spills, NOS provides responders with the information they need to understand the severity of a spill and where it will travel.

http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/

Stewardship, recreation, and tourism. The United States boasts some of the most important natural, cultural, and historical resources in the world—not just on land but under the water as well. The value of the U.S. coastal tourism and recreation industry in 2009 was $62 billion. NOS plays a critical role in protecting and promoting access to these special coastal and marine places.

NOS is entrusted with the responsibility to manage a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes waters. Across all national marine sanctuaries, about $8 billion annually is generated in local economies from activities like commercial fishing, tourism, and recreation. NOS also partners with states to manage national estuarine research reserves, a network of 29 coastal sites designated to protect and study estuarine systems. The reserves reflect the rich diversity of environments along our coasts and Great Lakes, and provide places for education, recreation, and boosting local economies.

See the NOS website https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ for more information on NOS programs.

The services provided under ProTech will support NOS worldwide. To support NOS, the Contractor shall provide the full range of program management, professional scientists, technical experts, consultants, and administrative support to provide professional and technical services, as well as all equipment, facilities, and travel needed to complete the work, on a timely basis in the broad areas described below and as specified by each individual task order.

C.3.1 Studies, Analyses, and Reports

The Contractor shall conduct studies, numerical modeling, assessments, analyses, and reporting, which focus on current and future programs in an effort to understand outcomes, define issues, or highlight problems and areas for improvement. Program studies and analyses will involve developing, evaluating, analyzing, and reviewing coastal and ocean programs and policies that develop strategies and contribute to the state-of-the-science assessments of the climate. Specific emphasis will be focused on identifying and mitigating any Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) concerns for any contractors that assist the Government in conducting special studies of NOS operations. The program studies, analyses, and reports will identify and promote the use of best practices in coastal and ocean habitat planning and may be used to inform program modification and redesign. The Contractor shall develop new analytical and quantitative tools, analyze data, and develop a final report of results and recommendations.

Program studies, analyses and reports may include, but are not limited to, the following:

C.3.1.1 Provide collection of coastal and ocean data and information products and perform time series, harmonic, spectral, and other statistical analyses of field data and model-generated data.

C.3.1.2 Perform routine or 24×7 real-time monitoring and quality control of oceanographic, navigation, and meteorological data collected by sensors deployed in nearshore, coastal environments, as well as offshore field environments (including marine, terrestrial, aerial, and space) to ensure the availability, accuracy, and quality of tide, water level, current and other marine environmental information.

C.3.1.3 Perform routine or 24×7 real-time monitoring and quality control of oceanographic, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ navigation, and meteorological data collected by sensors deployed in deep ocean environments and offshore field environments (including marine, terrestrial, aerial, and space) to ensure the availability, accuracy, and quality of tide, water level, current and other marine environmental information.

C.3.1.4 Provide services to investigate and report data problems (inconsistent or questionable readings, changes in sensor status, etc.) utilizing appropriate oceanographic principles, such as inter-comparisons (neighbor checks, observations vs. predictions, etc.).

C.3.1.5 Provide services to collect, analyze, evaluate, correct, and spectrally combine terrestrial, marine, airborne, and satellite gravity data and support creation of a geoid for use in geodetic control and other modeling. Support publishing terrestrial and airborne gravity data for use in geodetic control modeling.

C.3.1.6 Provide services to collect, analyze, evaluate, correct, and spectrally combine terrestrial, marine, airborne, and support creation and use of modeling. Support publishing data for use in other modeling.

C.3.1.7 Provide scientific support to analyze satellite data in support of Coastal and Oceanic programs.

C.3.1.8 Provide data entry, manipulation, verification, quality control, and evaluation of oceanographic, meteorological data, and nautical charting systems.

C.3.1.9 Process, analyze, quality control, and disseminate data (to include data categorized as sensitive) and derived products from oceanographic, navigation and nautical charting systems, and meteorological data collected by sensors deployed in the field or space.

C.3.1.10. Develop and support routine state-of-the-science assessments of the climate system for informed decision-making; and provide archeology support to coastal and oceanic programs.

C.3.1.11 Analyze and report on deficiencies in operational systems, evaluate system enhancements, and provide insight into new sensor behavior.

C.3.1.12 Provide scientific expertise support in ocean science, biology, physical science, science policy, science project management, and natural resource management disciplines.

C.3.2 Applied Research, Development, Engineering, and Operations

The Contractor shall provide scientific and engineering expertise to conduct applied research, development, engineering, consulting, and operations to support oceanic and atmospheric research for program managers and policymakers in developing state-of-the-science models, selecting new technologies for development, and determining if further program performance information is needed. The Contractor shall identify and apply appropriate methodologies and research designs needed to test particular technologies or answer a specific research question.

The Contractor shall analyze data and develop a final report of results and recommendations.

Applied research, development, engineering, consulting, and operations support may include, but are not limited to, the following:

C.3.2.1 Provide oceanic and atmospheric research coordination and support delineating regional ecosystems, promote partnerships at the ecosystem level, and implement cooperative strategies to improve regional ecosystem health to include scientific diving operations.

C.3.2.2 Provide oceanographic and hydrodynamic 3-D (layered) modeling and modeling systems to include: analysis, research and development, experiments and evaluation, data management, findings and interpretive products, coastal ocean assessments and reports, ocean observing, and technical feasibility studies for Coastal and Ocean programs.

C.3.2.3 Enhance partner development and system engineering to advance integration across participating federal agencies and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Associations.

C.3.2.4 Provide services for marine operations of Remote Operation Vehicles, including but not limited to: passive buoyancy or autonomous or uncrewed surface platforms, uncrewed underwater platforms, uncrewed airborne systems, drop cameras, benthic grabs, and other state of the art and advancing technology. These are to be used to: characterize the seafloor and associated biota habitats; observe and explore oceans; acquire and process field data for nearshore, coastal and deep ocean, as well as offshore field environments, including non-navigationally significant waters of both domestic and international/high seas; and assess habitat damage post natural disasters.

C.3.2.5 Provide services for aerial and space operations of Remote Operation Vehicles, including but not limited to: autonomous or uncrewed aerial platforms, uncrewed airborne systems, cameras, lidar, and other state of the art and advancing technology. These are to be used to: characterize the seafloor and associated biota habitats; observe and explore oceans; acquire and process field data for nearshore, coastal and deep ocean, as well as offshore field environments, including non-navigationally significant waters of both domestic and international/high seas; and assess habitat damage post natural disasters.

C.3.2.6 Provide services for terrestrial operations of Remote Operation Vehicles, including but not limited to: autonomous or uncrewed platforms and other state of the art and advancing technology. These are to be used to: characterize the seafloor and associated biota habitats;

observe and explore oceans; acquire and process field data for nearshore, coastal and deep ocean, as well as offshore field environments, including non-navigationally significant waters of both domestic and international/high seas; and assess habitat damage post natural disasters.

C.3.2.7 Provide scientific services for the coordination, development, and evaluation of new simulation and predictive models to predict species habitat utilization patterns and the advancement of understanding of ecosystems.

C.3.2.8 Provide advanced technology for monitoring and observing systems in deep ocean environments, as well as offshore field environments to expand and enhance the agency’s capabilities, such as: weather and oceanographic observations; ice forecasts and nowcasts;

geodetic, hydrographic and topographic surveys; habitat characterization; and to provide accurate, up-to-date information.

C.3.2.9 Provide advanced technology for monitoring and observing systems in nearshore and coastal environments, as well as offshore field environments to expand and enhance the agency’s capabilities, such as: weather and oceanographic observations; ice forecasts and nowcasts;

geodetic, hydrographic and topographic surveys; habitat characterization; and to provide accurate, up-to-date information.

C.3.2.10 Provide system-wide boat planning and use management, and assistance to the Government on new boat construction and acquisition.

C.3.2.11 Maintain a boat inventory and database; develop safe-operation guidelines and operation manuals; provide boat maintenance, repair, and services; and provide day-to-day boat operations in nearshore and coastal field environments.

C.3.2.12 Maintain a boat inventory and database; develop safe-operation guidelines and operation manuals; provide boat maintenance, repair, and services; and provide day-to-day boat operations in deep ocean and offshore field environments.

C.3.2.13 Provide vessel support, transportation services, and small boat operations for expeditions related to special science and exploration, data collection, ecosystem monitoring, and seafloor and habitat characterization. Expeditions will occur in associated biota in nearshore, coastal field environments for all field office operations and on-the-water operations.

C.3.2.14 Provide vessel support, transportation services, and large boat operations for expeditions related to special science and exploration, data collection, ecosystem monitoring, and seafloor and habitat characterization. Expeditions will occur in associated biota in deep ocean and offshore field environments for all field office operations and on-the-water operations.

C.3.2.15 Provide installation and maintenance of mooring buoys, boundary markers, instrument moorings, and instrumentation packages, and provide technical support to the team in preparation, field deployment, field maintenance and retrieval of ReCon System components.

C.3.2.16 Transfer ReCon data and integrate real-time sensor data into web displays; provide technical support to the engineering design process based on field and lab data analysis; and conduct sensor interoperability testing comparing ease of integration of existing software to interoperability software.

C.3.2.17 Provide Geographic Information System (GIS) services for coastal and ocean resource management and navigation and nautical charting systems.

C.3.2.18 Provide technical and analytical services for remote sensing support for coastal and ocean resource management and navigation.

C.3.2.19 Provide programmatic and technical support for marine debris projects and research for oceans and coastal hazards.

C.3.2.20 Provide Facilities support and operational services that may include but not limited to:

system-wide facilities planning and use management; assistance to the Government on new facilities design; maintenance of a facility inventory and database; maintenance and repair of facilities; and development of safe day-to-day operation guidelines and manuals for all field offices.

C.3.2.21 Provide remote engineering services to facilitate and coordinate the transfer of large amounts of data from nearshore and offshore field sensors to various data communication hubs (i.e. shoreside, shipside, or an uncrewed surface platform hub) using automated means and learning to transition data to the cloud or via telepresence in as near real time as possible, as it relates to the concept of operations.

C.3.3 Field Sampling, Data Collecting, and Surveys

The Contractor shall conduct field sampling, data collection, and surveys. These services will support program managers in evaluating and employing state-of-the-art-data collection technologies and determine if further sampling and collection is required. Surveys may require Contractors to identify and apply appropriate evaluation methodologies and research designs needed for a particular program or answer a specific research question. The Contractor shall analyze data and develop final reports of results and recommendations. Additionally, collection may require accessing databases from appropriate sources, constructing databases, and consulting with other experts as required.

Field sampling, data collecting, and surveys may include, but are not limited to, the following:

C.3.3.1 Provide nearshore and coastal field environments services in the design, installation, and maintenance of field data collection and field condition monitoring platforms and programs and the collection of marine and freshwater field data which may include, but is not limited to:

scientific diving (including SCUBA) in relation to work in marine archeology, research coordination, scientific research, buoy operations, environmental monitoring, seafloor and habitat characterization, and characterization of associated biota. All diving must adhere to OSHA Diving Regulations.

C.3.3.2 Provide deep ocean and offshore field environments services in the design, installation, and maintenance of field data collection and field condition monitoring platforms and programs and the collection of marine field data which may include, but is not limited to: scientific diving (including SCUBA) in relation to work in marine archeology, research coordination, scientific research, buoy operations, environmental monitoring, seafloor and habitat characterization, and characterization of associated biota. All diving must adhere to OSHA Diving Regulations.

C.3.3.3 Provide and assist in the design and implementation of coastal and ocean-related social science tools and methods, including, but not limited to, surveys, interviews, and focus groups.

C.3.3.4 Analyze (using both quantitative and qualitative methods) and report socio-economic data that results from coastal and oceanic social science-based inquiries.

C.3.3.5 Provide analytical and operational services to collect, process, and document full-scale coastal and oceanic data. Data will be included as part of literature to be published in scientific journals.

C.3.3.6 Collect, develop, integrate, map, and analyze geospatial data for use in coastal and oceanic resource management, navigation, and nautical charting systems, may include: creating, updating and maintaining geodetic models, classifying of shoreline elements and updating nautical charts.

C.3.3.7 Collect biological and physical samples for chemical characterization and histopathological analysis.

C.3.4 Consulting, Program and Project Management

The Contractor shall provide consulting, program and project management services to assist in program execution, improvements, and measurements. Services may include redesigning and improving the quality of the performance measurement process, performance data, and the system and method by which data is collected. Activities may include collection and analysis of program data; writing of field observation reports; advising on improvement of agency measurement systems; disseminating methods to other Government agencies and interested organizations; developing assessments, reports, and plans; and conducting logistics support, technical training, independent reviews, and education and outreach activities.

Consulting, program and project management services may include, but are not limited to, the following:

C.3.4.1 Provide services to the Government with strategic planning, policy development, project programming, congressional affairs, and budgeting system support to designated programs.

C.3.4.2 Provide assistance to the Government with planning, developing, and implementing Government quality assurance programs and/or Quality Management Systems. Develop strategies for improving the quality of climate observations, analyses, interpretation, and archiving.

C.3.4.3 Provide quality assurance support for acquiring, describing, and maintaining archived coastal and oceanic data and data products, metadata, and related information.

C.3.4.4 Provide assistance to the Government with developing and coordinating NOAA’s homeland security-related plans, programs, and policies to enhance NOAA-wide program response, risk management, continuity of operations, and other contingency planning and program infrastructure.

C.3.4.5 Provide assistance to the Government with environmental compliance may include:

evaluation, development of environmental impact assessments; analysis and review of Coastal and Oceans programs; management of policies and guidance; and provision of technical assistance, development, review, and comment for ongoing or planned environmental assessments, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other documentation to demonstrate compliance with environmental statutes and other environmental permitting activities.

C.3.4.6 Develop instructions, guides, procedures, and processes for operating, maintaining, and configuring oceanographic, navigation and nautical charting systems, and meteorological systems.

C.3.4.7 Develop, test, implement, and quality control of processes and procedures for collecting coastal and ocean data.

C.3.4.8 Support document development for requirements, business analysis, and design specifications for oceanographic, navigation, and meteorological systems.

C.3.4.9 Provide assistance to the Government with administrative and technical support to the formulation and management of multi-year budgets, development of budget strategies, collection and analysis of financial data, collection and estimation of costs, and development of spend plans, cost tracking and reporting systems.

C.3.4.10 Support the development and maintenance of software for the operation of budget formulation databases and for producing tracking and reports.

C.3.4.11 Provide assistance to the Government with financial services support to NOAA programs including but not limited to Interagency Agreements, grants, and other federal funding opportunities.

C.3.4.12 Provide assistance to the Government with coordinating, planning, and operating facilities, to include providing access and security requirements for visitors, coordinating all employee separation procedures, and cataloging/archiving issuance and receipt of keys to facilities, vehicles, and offices.

C.3.4.13 Provide communication, request for information, and outreach project support including document development, editing and graphic art services, and compliance with Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Services may include design, layout, word processing, copy-editing and photocopying of reports, materials, brochures, and other printed or electronic materials. Graphic services include graphic artists, preparation of graphs based on the analysis of technical data, and the preparation of flyers, [pictures, posters, bookmarks, meeting agendas, certificates, artwork, pamphlets, covers, logos, promotional materials, and end-to-end video services including producing, editing, managing, cataloging, and all associated technical matters.

C.3.4.14 Provide assistance to the Government with programmatic and financial technical assistance, and general administrative support services to Coastal and Ocean programs and program offices.

C.3.4.15 Provide assistance to the Government with the development of economic guidelines and standards, and in forecasting trends and formulating economic policy. Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to address economic problems or to interpret relevant markets.

C.3.4.16 Provide planning and logistics support for meetings, conferences, working groups, and hearings including, but not limited to, coordinating locations, participants, rapporteurs, exhibits, agendas, presentations and briefing materials, accommodations, speakers, travel, multimedia requirements and facilitation services.

C.3.5 Capacity Building

The Contractor shall provide products and services to support enhancing external audiences’ knowledge and skills of the mission of the National Ocean Service.

Capacity building may include, but is not limited to, the following:

C.3.5.1 Provide technical training for coastal professional audiences, including instructional design and materials to incorporate adult learning theory and technologies for topics which may include but are not limited to ocean acidification, sea-level rise, river-delta algae blooms, oil spills, and other climate-mitigation issues.

C.3.5.2 Provide education information focused on ocean and estuarine literacy related to NOS mission, for K–12, community members and teacher audiences, including learning networks, and instructional design to incorporate educational and instructional theory and technologies for topics which may include but are not limited to ocean acidification, sea-level rise, river-delta algae blooms, oil spills, and other climate-mitigation issues.

C.3.5.3 Provide technical assistance to address coastal and oceanographic management issues, providing support on the development and maintenance of coastal and oceanographic products and services and working directly with stakeholders in local communities including underserved communities, tribes, and non-governmental entities to identify the needs of these communities.

C.3.5.4 Provide logistical and programmatic support for designing and delivering collaborative processes and facilitation support.

C.3.5.5 Develop, implement, and coordinate NOAA fellowship programs.

C.4 IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Assessment and Authorization (A&A) requirements of Clause 48 CFR 1352.239-72 may apply, and a Security Accreditation Package may be required, but cannot be determined based on the stated PWS requirements.

C.4.1. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The Assessment and Authorization (A&A) requirements of Clause 48 CFR 1352.239-72 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

The Contractor shall comply with the following DOC Department Administrative Orders (DAO): DAO 200-0 Department of Commerce Handbooks and Manuals and DAO 207-1 Security Programs (available at: https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/dmp/daos.html). The Contractor shall comply with the following DOC Department Organization Orders (DOOs) DOO 15-23 Chief Information Officer (available at: https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/dmp/doos.html).

The Contractor shall comply with the NOAA Administrative Orders (NAO) NAO 212-13 NOAA Information Technology Security Policy and NAO 212-15 Management of Environmental Data and Information (available at:

https://www.noaa.gov/organization/administration/noaa-administrative-orders). DOC issues policies under DAO 200-0, DAO 207-1 and DOO 15-23. NOAA issues cybersecurity policies under NAO 212-13. The DAO, DOO, NAO and corresponding policies are sensitive controlled unclassified information (CUI) documents that shall be limited to use only on Government Furnished Equipment and will be provide after contract award.

It is a mandatory requirement for every NOAA IT user (e.g., government employee, contractor, associate, or temporary personnel) to complete the NOAA Cyber Security and Privacy Awareness Training course every year. Temporary personnel include visitors, guest workers, etc.

who plan to work at a NOAA site, access NOAA information and/or use NOAA IT resources.

Both new and temporary employees must take the course within three days after initial issuance of NOAA IT equipment and annually thereafter.

If the government provides GFE to perform the work on this contract, the contractor is responsible to adhere to bureau IT-security requirements. The contractor is responsible to contact the Contractor Officer Representative (COR) for any additional IT requirements (e.g. software, hardware) by providing documentation and information.

Contractor staff needing to perform work off-site using GFE shall sign all appropriate agreements and follow all appropriate regulations per NOS, NOAA, and DOC policies including NOAA and NOS property regulations. The Contractor shall comply with Help Desk and/or property requests to make the GFE available upon request to meet organizational property requirement and/or to maintain the GFE in accordance with the organizational defined security posture. All users who have been issued a Government furnished client endpoint computing device (e.g. laptop, cell phone, tablet, etc.) shall be accountable for the confidentiality, integrity and security of that device. The Contractor shall comply with existing and new policies and memorandums specifically covering issued GFE.

The Government has established time frames for addressing configuration management, vulnerability management, and inventory reconciliation activities. The Contractor will be notified of any changes to established schedule and shall work with the Help Desk in meeting the schedule changes. The Contractor must connect the GFE to the NOAA provided Virtual Private Network (VPN) at least three times per week to receive the configuration management updates and vulnerability management assessments. The current Government established times frames include:

a) Configuration management (normal updates and patching) occurs every Monday and Wednesday night at 10 pm,

b) Vulnerability Management and Remediation (vulnerability scanning and apply missing updates/patches) occurs every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 3 PM every week for both on site and VPN connected devices. Vulnerability Scanning only occurs when the GFE is directly connected to the NOS network or connected to the Government provided VPN service using Common Access Card authentication. The Government may shorten vulnerability management and remediation requirements for vulnerabilities designated as significant risk.,

c) Inventory reconciliation/management occurs monthly. Ad hoc inventory activities occur if GFE is issued, lost, stolen or upon request.

It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure GFE are scanned, patched, and updated during the specified times mentioned above by keeping the desktop and laptops turned on and connected to the network when the devices are not being used, or by connecting laptops to the VPN when the devices are being used remotely. If an issue arises and require onsite helpdesk support, the contractor shall obtain helpdesk support at the Silver Spring Main Campus (SSMC) location.

Any additional cost incurred with onsite helpdesk support will be reimbursed upon approval with the issuance of a modification to the contract. The associated cost shall be requested and approved in advance by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). The cost request shall include the name of the individual requiring onsite helpdesk support, the reason for onsite helpdesk support, the dates and location of travel if required, and the cost including a breakdown of cost (travel and additional labor hours). The Contractor shall submit GFE software/hardware changes (install/remove/modify) operating system, software or application to the government assigned Help Desk and receive approval of the appropriate change approval process prior any change being made to the GFE software/hardware.

In the alternative, if an issue arises the COR may choose to send replacement equipment instead of requiring the contractor to physically travel to the onsite helpdesk for support. The Government recognizes that said replacement equipment may need to be updated or upgraded with needed software, programs, etc. for the contractor to continue performing and schedules and time shall be addressed at the time an issue occurs. Any additional cost incurred with sending replacement equipment and time to get new equipment up and running will be reimbursed upon approval in advance by the COR. The cost request shall include the name of the individual requiring replacement equipment and time to catch up, dates, and location, and the submission must include a cost breakdown (additional labor hours).

The Contractor shall safeguard GFE assigned for the duration of the contractor unless returned to the Government prior to the end of the contract. Lost, misplaced, or stolen GFE issued to the Contractor through this contract shall be reported to the government assigned Task Manager and government assigned Help Desk within 4 hours of detection. The Contractor shall assist the COR with any security incident report filed related to the loss of the GFE. The Contractor or contractor staff assigned the GFE can be held accountable to reimburse the Government for cost of the GFE depending on the circumstance that resulted in the GFE loss. The Contractor shall comply with the NOAA Chief Administrative Officer’s Memorandum “What to Do When a Laptop Is Identified as Missing” issued January 27, 2009 and DOC Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Business Identifiable Information (BII), and Privacy Act Breach Response and Notification Plan issued July 2013. Memorandum and Breach Response and Notification Plan are sensitive documents will be provided upon request after GFE has been provided. The Contractor may be required to participate in completing the above requirements. In the event of a suspect computer security incident, the contractor is obligated to contact the COR and/or designated Information System Security Officer (ISSO) and report said activity.

C.4.2 CLOUD SERVICES

The Government does not permit the Contractor to store, process or transmit any information provided, obtained or accessed in the performance of this contract in a commercial cloud service without explicit approvals. The Contractor is not permitted to use a commercial cloud service(s) to conduct security assessment of Government resources on premise or in a commercial cloud service.

If the Contractor proposes the use of cloud services, NOS requires an integrated technical solution, which meets the security requirements below. An integrated technical solution requires all components, cloud services and middleware/solutions provided by all partners (including but not limited to: cloud provider, reseller and prime contractor) to address the appropriate security and privacy requirements. For any cloud services acquired by the contractor to support this acquisition, the Contractor shall meet the following conditions:

a) Shall comply with DOC and NOAA cybersecurity and privacy policies;

b) Shall avoid the inadvertent transmission of Sensitive PII, or other controlled unclassified information (CUI), through an embedded SaaS text within an email that automatically issue alerts or notifications unless explicitly authorized in writing. SaaS applications should only process information that is at or below the evaluated impact level of the SaaS application itself,

c) Shall leverage cloud services that are covered under the Federal Risk Authorization Management Program…