DRAFT PWS.pdf

Purpose of the Contract Develop a contract mechanism that would allow the NOAA Marine Debris Program to provide timely and reliable funding or support to remove marine debris from critical areas within the coastal United States and territories.

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC

ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) FOR RAPID REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES

DOMESTIC AND TERRITORY MARINE DEBRIS

1. BACKGROUND

Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes (15 CFR Part 909) and has become one of the most widespread pollution issues in oceans and waterways worldwide. In 2006, the Marine Debris Act established the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) as the federal lead on marine debris issues for the U.S. government, with mandates to identify, determine sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on the marine environment (33USC1951 et seq.). The MDP achieves its mission through six priorities: removal, prevention, research, monitoring and detection, regional and international coordination, and emergency response. Since the passage of the Marine Debris Act in 2006, Congress has updated and refined the MDP’s mission through subsequent amendments to the initial authorizing legislation (the Marine Debris Act amendments of 2012), as well as the passage of the Save Our Seas Act and Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The Save our Seas 2.0 Act was signed into law on December 18, 2020 (P.L. 116-224), and enhances the United States’ domestic programs and international engagement to address and prevent marine debris. Most recently, funding was made available to the MDP through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (PL 117-58) to support marine debris removal efforts throughout the coastal United States and territories.

Consistent with the provisions of the MDP’s authorizing legislation, and central to the program’s core mission, is the ability to coordinate and respond to large scale marine debris events and chronic marine debris issues in a cost-effective and timely manner.

2. OBJECTIVE

NOAA MDP is requesting a contractor with the capabilities to coordinate and execute the rapid removal of marine debris targets in coastal areas on an as-needed basis, and as identified by the MDP, allowing the agency to provide reliable funding and support to such areas as quickly as possible.

3. SCOPE

The MDP coordinates and communicates across NOAA and with regional partners to address marine debris issues and identify in-situ removal targets in coastal communities of the United States and territories. The dynamic nature of marine debris and coastal environments often means that if not removed immediately, removal targets are at risk of being moved or broken down by storms and tides, which can cause localized habitat damage, navigational hazards, or threats to human safety. As a result, delayed removal and mitigation can also be more complicated and expensive.

There is a clear need for a funding mechanism that allows for rapid removal of marine debris. Currently, the MDP is only able to implement removal activities through grants and cooperative agreements, which can take up to a year to solicit, review, and award. It is critical that the agency has the ability to deploy financial resources toward the removal of marine debris targets identified by the program within weeks of being identified.

As a national program, and the federal lead for marine debris issues for the federal government, the program’s rapid removal capabilities must cover the coastal United States and its territories.

The contractor shall have expertise in the removal of marine debris of all types and sizes; the majority of removal targets are expected to consist of abandoned and derelict vessels, derelict fishing gear, storm/disaster related debris, shoreline debris, or other types as identified as necessary for removal by the MDP. Techniques that may be used include surveys and assessments, in-water removals involving vessel operations, debris removal by hand, debris removal using heavy equipment, environmental sampling, or other field experiments as needed.

The contractor shall respond quickly to marine debris removal needs and coordinate and collaborate with the NOAA MDP and relevant federal, state, and local partners to ensure removal is conducted in a timely manner.

The contractor shall be knowledgeable of and comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations and permit requirements relevant to the removal of marine debris.

This requirement is not meant to support research or other activities that do not encompass a removal action.

The contractor shall furnish all equipment, materials, and services necessary to conduct the project tasks as described below. The tasks shall be undertaken in active collaboration with NOAA MDP staff and its partners as needed, including open and scheduled communication through the most appropriate means (individual calls, conference calls, emails, etc.). The contractor may also utilize subcontractors to complete portions of the required work in this Statement of Work, and NOAA staff must be consulted on which group(s) are being used as subcontractors and what activities those group(s) are to complete.

4. TASKS

The contractor shall complete Tasks One through Four below as-needed over the period of performance and in accordance with their proposal. The contractor rapid marine debris removal needs within domestic (the United States, territories) and Great Lakes coastal, estuarine, and riverine areas. The contractor shall maintain readiness to respond to large-scale marine debris removal needs that are identified by the NOAA MDP, using safe and cost-effective techniques. Techniques that may be used are defined in Section 3 (Scope) above, whose appropriateness will be determined in coordination with the NOAA MDP. The identification of marine debris removal targets and the planning for all removal work will be done in coordination with the NOAA MDP.

TASK ONE. Maintain readiness for rapid removal of marine debris targets by:

- establishing removal capabilities to rapidly respond to large-scale marine debris removal needs throughout the coastal United States and territories

- developing and implementing safety plan(s) for removal activities

- maintaining any appropriate licensing and registrations within those jurisdictions where removals will take place

TASK TWO. Coordinate with NOAA MDP for assessment and planning for removal activities, individual removal cost estimates, environmental compliance requirements, and other pre-removal activities as-needed.

TASK THREE. Conduct marine debris removals.

- Removal metrics expected to be tracked include, at minimum: pounds of debris removed, the number and type of ADVs/DFG/other debris items removed, GPS coordinates, geographic area (in square miles or shoreline miles) surveyed, and others as-needed and identified by the NOAA MDP.

- Ensure best management practices and safety protocols are followed during removal operations.

TASK FOUR. Disseminate removal activity accomplishments, as requested by the NOAA MDP.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The places of performance for rapid removal activities will be identified on an as-needed basis and at the direction of and in coordination with the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Planning and coordination work may take place virtually, at the contractor’s facility, NOAA offices, or other venues as necessary.

6. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

Period of Performance (POP) will not exceed 60 months from contract award date. This is a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA)/Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a 24-month base period and three, twelve-month option periods.

7. TRAVEL

Contractor travel is subject to the agency’s operating status defined in the NOAA Reintegration Handbook.

At the time of publication of this requirement travel is limited to mission critical only, and will be adjusted accordingly as NOAA phases in return to on-site policies. The Contractor should consider the possibility that travel will not be approved for the full, or substantial portion of this requirement. If NOAA and the Contractor’s travel restrictions allow, the Contractor may be expected to travel to the Washington D.C.

Metro area for project planning purposes, and to disseminate results of removal activities.

8. DELIVERABLES

Deliverables include regular and timely reporting following the completion of each removal event. Reports must describe the removal activities conducted for each removal event, outcomes, and include any associated documents for removal activities or planning done during the reporting period (for example, permitting documentation, before/after photographs, metrics). The contractor may be asked to provide follow-on informational briefings and presentations to communicate and disseminate accomplishments, outcomes, and findings to interested parties on an as-needed basis. The products expected as part of this task order are outlined in the deliverable table below.

TASK ORDER DELIVERABLE LIST

TASK TITLE FORMAT REQUIRED

DATE

FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION

Tasks One - Three

Removal Reporting

MS Office or Adobe compatible, submitted via e-mail

As-needed Immediately following removal event completion

COR/CO/Progra m Manager

Task Four Informational briefings

Google Meet or Adobe Connect

Undetermined / as-needed

As needed Virtual

9. POST AWARD CONFERENCE

The Contractor shall attend a Post Award Conference with the Contracting Officer and the COR no later than 15 business days after the date of award. The purpose of the Post Award Conference, which will be chaired by the Contracting Officer, is to discuss technical and contracting objectives of this contract and review the Contractor's draft project plan. The Post Award Conference will take place via teleconference or video conference.

10. PROJECT PLAN

The Contractor shall provide a draft Project Plan at the Post Award Conference for Government review and comment. The Contractor shall provide a final Project Plan to the COR not later than 10 business days after the Post Award Conference.

11. PROGRESS REPORTS

The Project Manager shall provide a progress report to the Contracting Officer and COR via electronic mail within 14 calendar days of completion of every removal event. This report shall include a summary of all Contractor work performed and an assessment of technical progress, schedule status, any travel conducted, metrics collected as described in Task 3, and any contractor concerns or recommendations.

12. PROGRESS MEETINGS

The Project Manager shall meet with the COR no less frequently than on a quarterly basis to discuss progress, exchange information, and resolve emergent technical problems and issues. Planning for new removal activities, as well as periodic requests for status updates or other project information will be requested by NOAA on an as-needed basis. These meetings shall take place primarily via teleconference or video conference.

13. GENERAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with NOAA workstations (e.g., Windows and Microsoft Office Applications and Google Workspace).

14. PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

Contractor access to information protected under the Privacy Act may be required under this PWS.

Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with the law and Government policy and regulation.

15. SECTION 508 COMPLIANCE

Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by P.L. 105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998) all Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained and/or used under this contract shall be in compliance with the “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards” set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the “Access Board”) in 36 CFR Part 1194. The complete text of Section 508 Standards can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/ or at http://www.section508.gov.

16. GOVERNMENT TERMS & DEFINITIONS

COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative CO – Contracting Officer ALDFG - Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear. See ‘DFG’ below.

DFG − Derelict Fishing Gear, sometimes referred to as "ghost gear," is any intentionally or unintentionally discarded, lost, or abandoned fishing gear in the marine environment. Often DFG is fishery-or region-specific; sometimes characterized as fishing gear deployed during any closed season for the species, or any fishable gear during the open season that lacks a buoy, line, tag, identification, or other components critical for proper function.12 GESAMP - Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection GGGI - Global Ghost Gear Initiative MDP - Marine Debris Program Marine debris - any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes.

NOAA − National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

17. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will not furnish any resources to the Contractor in support of this contract.

18. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities, materials, equipment and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract.

19. GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

The COR will review deliverables prior to acceptance and provide the contractor with an e-mail that provides documented reasons for non-acceptance. If the deliverable is acceptable, the COR will send an e-mail to the contractor notifying it that the deliverable has been accepted.

a. The COR has the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the contract. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the contractor will be notified in writing by the COR of the specific reasons for rejection. The contractor shall correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

b. The COR will have 30 business days to review deliverables and make comments. The contractor shall have 90 business days to make corrections and redeliver.

c. All other review times and schedules for deliverables shall be agreed upon by the parties based on the final approved Project Plan. The contractor shall be responsible for timely delivery to Government personnel in the agreed upon review chain, at each stage of the review. The contractor shall work with personnel reviewing the deliverables to assure that the established schedule is maintained.

20. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

20.1 Compliance Documents

The following documents provide specifications, standards, or guidelines that must be complied with in order to meet the requirements of this contract:

● TBD

1 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ghostfishing.html 2 FL FWC Trap Retrieval and Trap Debris Removal Rule 68B-55.001

20.2 Reference Documents

The following documents may be helpful to the contractor in understanding this contract requirement and performing the work described in this document. This is a representative sample of the most current literature on marine debris removal relevant to rapid response:

● TBD