G15PS00089_Attch_2_SOW.doc

STATEMENT OF WORK

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A.

Introduction. We are requesting services for the development of an implantable ARGOS satellite linked location transmitter and deployment system for walrus.

B.

Background. The USGS walrus research program at the Alaska Science Center in Anchorage has been radio-tagging walruses for decades to better understand the species’ movement patterns, behavior, and habitat associations. Most all of the tags that are currently used for this research are satellite tags, which are attached to the walrus with a sub-dermal anchor and deployed remotely with a crossbow. Retention times, and consequently data collection times, of external tags retained by anchors imbedded in the blubber and skin of walruses tend to not exceed 3 months and average considerably less. One probable reason is the forces applied to the retention mechanisms by the external part of the tag as tagged walruses rub the tag against other walruses, ice and the ground at terrestrial haulouts. We believe a tag completely implanted in the skin and blubber layer will significantly increase retention times. A longer tag retention time would provide spatial use data for the winter, when tagging walruses is logistically challenging, as well as increase the amount of data gathered during the spring, summer and fall deployments and provide for increased tracking data on individuals.

C.

Scope. We are requesting services for the development of an implantable ARGOS satellite linked location transmitter for walruses. In conjunction with this, we are requesting optional services for a deployment method by a crossbow (preferably) or airgun (alternatively) from at least 10 meters. Ideally the tag will be less than 6 cm (excluding the antennae) in length, the approximate depth of the combined skin and blubber layer of the intended implantation location. Our primary goal is to significantly improve over the retention times we have achieved with externally attached tags that are retained with barbs in the skin and blubber layer. We are interested in achieving tag retention lasting at least 3 months, battery life, transmission schedules and transmissible data should accommodate this longevity and provide data to help determine the cause of tag failure. We expect the contractor will work closely with the USGS to develop the tag and are willing to undergo a few rounds of testing and development. We require two (2) mockups for development/testing of a tag deployment system by 15 February 2015, five (5) working tags for deployment (with optional tag deployment system) by 01 May 2015, and an additional five (5) revised (as necessary) tags for deployment on 15 August 2015. These dates are targets only and will be negotiated upon the receipt of quotations and before award.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS Prospective contractors should respond to each point below with sufficient detail for the USGS to evaluate the capability for the contractor to achieve stated specifications, for example using approximate calculations for battery life, current working tag designs that may be modified for a walrus application, rough descriptions of potential anchor designs, or pictures of current anchor designs that may be modified for a walrus application.

A.

Technical Requirements.

1.

A. General Dimensions and Design Specifications- Roughly, the thickness of the skin and blubber layers at the dorsal neck and shoulder region (our preferred deployment site) on adult females are 2.5 cm and ~3.0 cm, respectively. Ideally the entire tag (including anchor and cutting/penetrating tip) will be less than 6 cm long (excluding the antennae) as we prefer to not penetrate past the blubber layer into the muscle layer. The total length of the tag must include either a cutting or penetrating head that will be developed in conjunction with technical consultations with the USGS. The tag will need to be strong enough to survive the forces involved in the method of delivery, a stainless housing may be appropriate to provide structural integrity as well as a biologically inert exterior. We anticipate a conductivity sensor (with conductive elements external to the walrus) may be incorporated into the tag design to inform transmission duty cycles to maximize battery life, but realize this involves a trade-off in tag complexity, battery life and transmissible data.

B. Anchor designs- Anchor designs for the walrus tissue will be developed in conjunction with technical consultations with the USGS and we are open to a variety of designs. In addition, the tag must include a mechanism to prevent inward movement. We would prefer designs that avoid an external backing plate, though we realize such a plate easily solves two problems, to prevent internal migration and prevent over penetration during deployment.

C. Delivery designs-A deployment method (i.e. a projector system capable of deploying the tag onto the walrus) will need to be designed as either part of this contract or separately. If the contractor options not to develop a delivery method, the contractor will need to work closely with either the USGS or a contractor for the USGS, to develop the tag in close conjunction with the development of the delivery method. If the contractor options to develop a delivery method, the method should be remotely deployable at a distance of at least 10 meters, deployable from a terrestrial location or from a boat, and provide for a mechanism to prevent over penetration of the tag. We currently use crossbows to deploy our external tags and strongly prefer to use this method for a number of reasons, though we are open to the use of an air gun, which may however, render its application at large terrestrial haulouts impossible due to the noise created by the air gun and potential to cause the herd to stampede.

D. Battery Life and Data Transmission- USGS prefers a minimum functional transmitter longevity of 120 days based on an estimate of a transmission scheme capable of producing a minimum of one standard Argos location per day from a half-watt transmission of the minimum length Argos message (3-bytes). The 3-byte message is to be configured to transmit diagnostic information that may be used to infer the mode of tag failure, such as an index of the cumulative number of transmissions, tag internal temperature, battery status, or haulout chronology. Please provide details for a transmission strategy that could achieve the minimum transmitter functional longevity, including information on how tolerances on transmitter power and battery amp hours are selected for the estimation, given an average daily haulout schedule of 40% dry, 60% wet.

Regardless of the types and quantities of data to be collected, USGS requires that strategies for duty cycling will be developed openly through a technical liaison between the vendor and USGS. The vendor will provide clear documentation of the duty cycle scheme used onboard each tag and openly provide documentation of the estimated tag functional endurance. If data other than location is to be collected, such as conductivity for haulout behavior, strategies for constructing the sensor messages containing haulout chronology data will be developed openly through a technical liaison between the vendor and USGS. The vendor will provide clear documentation of the data processing conducted onboard the tag and will explicitly define the bitwise data encoding scheme.

2.

Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service. Compliance will be measured by adherence to delivery dates and delivered tag specifications in relation to guidelines stated in this document and those stated achievable by the contractor in response to this document and agreed upon by the USGS, including willingness of the contractor for continued development and testing of the tag over the life of the performance period.

B.

Deliverables.

1.

10 tags suitable for deployment on wild walruses, dependent on a design that meets specifications agreed upon by the contractor and USGS. Two mockup test units to test delivery method of the tag. Optional remote delivery system.

2.

Delivery dates for work/product to be completed (targets, negotiable prior to award)

February 15th 2015. Two mockups for development/testing of a tag deployment system

May 1st 2015. 5 tags for deployment on wild walruses and optional tag deployment system.

August 15th 2015. 5 revised tags for deployment on wild walruses.

III.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A.

Place of Performance. Vendor’s location of business.

B.

Period of Performance. Date of award to 15 October 2015.

C.

Government Furnished Property (GFP): None D.

Special Considerations.

1.

Key personnel qualifications. Brian Battaile, Chad Jay and Anthony Fischbach from USGS have expertise in tagging walruses and will contribute in consultations with the vendor in tag design and development.

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment. Data collected from the deployment of tags for testing or otherwise on wild walruses will be owned by USGS.

3.

Security/Privacy issues. None G15PS00089 Attachment 2, Page 2 of 3