Amendment 02.pdf

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

30-105-04EXCEPTION TO SF 30

APPROVED BY OIRM 11-84

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83) Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

This amendment answ ers questions and modif ies solicitation.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE PAGE OF PAGES

J 1 30

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)

16C. DATE SIGNED

BY 16-Jan-2020

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA15C. DATE SIGNED15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

(Signature of Contracting Officer)(Signature of person authorized to sign)

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., Street, County, State and Zip Code) X N6247020R2000

X 9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

12-Dec-2019

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

X The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offer is extended, X is not extended.

Offer must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning 8 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted;

or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN

REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS.

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE

CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(B).

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not, is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

10A. MOD. OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO.(If applicable)

6. ISSUED BY

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

16-Jan-2020

CODE

COMMANDER NAVFAC ATLANTIC

6506 HAMPTON BLVD

NORFOLK VA 23508-1278

N62470 7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than item 6)

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.

CODE

See Item 6

FACILITY CODECODE

EMAIL:TEL:

N6247020R2000

SECTION SF 30 BLOCK 14 CONTINUATION PAGE

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

SECTION A - SOLICITATION/CONTRACT FORM

The number of offeror copies required has decreased by 1 from 9 to 8.

SECTION C - DESCRIPTIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The following have been modified:

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

SECTION C – PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

C1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

C1.1 GENERAL

The purpose of this contract is to obtain services for performance of marine resources monitoring and program management in support of U.S. Navy environmental compliance and reporting requirements. The primary geographic area covered by this contract encompasses the Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic and Pacific Areas of Responsibility, Worldwide. The contractor may also, on occasion, be tasked to provide services described herein to any DoD or other Federal Agency Worldwide. The firm selected will provide the required services through the issuance of individual task orders for up to five years (base period plus four one-year option periods, if exercised). The maximum value of the total task orders issued under this contract is $75,000,000.

C1.2 TASK ORDER SOLICITATION

Task order solicitations will be performance based, describing the requirement in terms of desired outcome with provision of precise details and/or scientific objectives of work to be done. The contractor shall provide access to professional expertise, research facilities, equipment, tools, instrumentation, materials, labor, supervision, and transportation to provide marine resources monitoring and program management services described herein. These services may include marine resource and biological services in accordance with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulations as well as regulations from other federal and state agencies, to include, but not limited to, field surveys, consultations, and general studies related to the following resources: marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, marine invertebrates, marine habitats, shorelines, coastal zones, threatened and endangered species, and other marine resources. Specialized services may include, but are not limited to, aerial, shipboard, and land-based visual surveys, passive acoustic monitoring, tagging and tracking, behavioral monitoring, biopsy sampling, photo identification, data management, and coordinating/managing complex research projects and programs related to these services and requirements. The services may also include preparation of management plans and reports such as Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) authorization requests and Endangered Species Act (ESA) Biological Assessments. Any or all of the above services may be required during the term of this contract.

C2 SCOPE OF WORK

C2.1 GENERAL

The general scope of work is to conduct marine species monitoring services and implement components of the U.S.

Navy’s Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (ICMP) within the NAVFAC Atlantic and Pacific areas of responsibility (AOR). Baseline data collection and monitoring needs vary by region depending on the current level of knowledge and data availability. Monitoring studies may include aerial and shipboard, and land-based surveys, passive acoustics in the form of moored, autonomous devices, and towed arrays, tagging, photo identification, biopsy sampling, and behavioral studies. Monitoring activities may be implemented in coordination with Navy training and testing activities, as stand-alone scientific studies, or as ongoing baseline data collection. The contractor must be capable of providing, procuring, or sub-contracting all personnel, permits, equipment, materials, facilities, and management services necessary to support multiple concurrent field studies (typically ten or more) across several geographical areas; performing data analysis and reporting of results; and conducting program administration, budget tracking, sub-contractor management, and general program oversight. Successful candidates will possess high levels of experience in both project management and technical field skills, as well as have significant experience with and access to a broad pool of researchers and equipment to meet the program needs.

C2.2 MARINE AND BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES MONITORING AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

SERVICES

C2.2.1 Background

The U.S. Navy’s Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (ICMP) provides the overarching framework for coordination of the Navy’s marine species monitoring efforts. It has been developed in direct response to Navy training and testing permit requirements established in various MMPA Final Rules, ESA Consultations, Biological Opinions, and applicable regulations. As a framework document, the ICMP applies by regulation to those activities in range complexes and operating areas for which the Navy receives incidental take authorizations.

The ICMP is intended for use as a planning tool to focus Navy monitoring priorities pursuant to ESA and MMPA requirements. Top priority will always be given to satisfying the mandated legal requirements across all range complexes. Once legal requirements are met, any additional monitoring-related work will be planned and prioritized using guidelines provided by the ICMP, consistent with availability of both funding and scientific resources. Marine species monitoring investments under this program are intended to accomplish one or more top-level goals as described in the current version of the ICMP (DoN 2010):

(a) An increase in our understanding of the likely occurrence of marine mammals and/or ESA-listed marine species within range complexes or in the vicinity of a specific training/testing activity (i.e., presence, abundance, distribution, density).

(b) An increase in our understanding of the nature, scope, or context of the likely exposure of marine mammals and/or ESA-listed marine species to any of the potential stressors associated with the action (e.g., sound, explosive detonation, or expended materials), through better understanding of one or more of the following:

(1) the nature of the action and its surrounding environment (e.g., sound-source characterization, propagation, and ambient noise levels); (2) the affected species (e.g., life history or dive patterns); (3) likely co-occurrence with the action; (4) the likely biological or behavioral context of exposure to the stressor for the marine mammal and/or ESA-listed marine species (e.g., age class of exposed animals or known pupping, calving, or feeding areas).

(c) An increase in our understanding of how individual marine mammals or ESA-listed marine species respond (behaviorally or physiologically) to the specific stressors associated with the action (e.g., at what distance or received level and in specific contexts, where possible,).

(d) An increase in our understanding of how anticipated individual responses to individual stressors or anticipated combinations of stressors may affect either: (1) the long-term fitness and survival of an individual; or (2) the population, species, or stock (e.g., through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival).

(e) An increase in our understanding of the effectiveness of mitigation and monitoring measures, including increasing the probability of detecting marine mammals to better achieve the above goals through improved technology or methods.

The ICMP, Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) report (Science Advisory Group 2011), and Strategic Planning Process for Marine Species Monitoring establish overarching goals and intermediate scientific objectives, as well as provide a process for refinement, evolution, and guidance of the overall monitoring program. The Strategic Planning Process serves three primary purposes: 1) to facilitate the U.S. Navy in developing specific projects addressing one or more intermediate scientific objectives; 2) to establish a more structured and collaborative framework for developing, evaluating, and selecting monitoring projects across all areas where the U.S. Navy conducts training and testing activities; and 3) to maximize the opportunity for input and involvement across the research community, academia, and industry. Furthermore, this process is intended to integrate various elements including:

• Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program top-level goals

• Scientific Advisory Group recommendations

• Integration of regional scientific expert input

• Ongoing adaptive management review dialog between NMFS and Navy

• Lessons learned from past and future monitoring at Navy training and testing ranges

• Leverage research and lessons learned from other Navy funded science programs

This contract is intended to support the ICMP and Strategic Planning Process by providing a means to develop, manage, and coordinate the wide range of monitoring efforts that are necessary in order for the Navy to meet regulatory obligations and provide sufficient information and data to address primary objectives of the ICMP.

C2.2.2 Services Required

The contractor shall complete all marine resource monitoring and program management services in compliance with laws such as the Sikes Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Legacy Resource Program, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Executive Order 12114—Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, Executive Order 13089—Coral Reef Protection, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2005, and other applicable marine and environmental protection laws and regulations. Work must also be in compliance with Department of Defense regulations OPNAVINST 3150.27b, U.S. Navy Diving Program, and OPNAVINST 5090 Environmental Readiness Program Manual, as appropriate. Additional client-driven regulations and procedures may also apply. Services and investigations performed outside the United States or its territorial waters shall be conducted in accordance with international and host nation laws and regulations, as well as the Department of Defense Final Governing Standards for the country involved. Additionally, appropriate state laws and regulations governing cultural resources management shall be taken into account in completing biological resources investigations and reports.

Tasks will involve species and habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other applicable laws, regulations and executive orders involving marine mammals, sea turtles, essential fish habitat, coral reefs, and other marine resources. The tasks may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Literature review and data searches

• Aerial, shipboard, and/or underwater visual surveys

• Passive acoustic monitoring

• Assessments to determine potential impacts from military activities

• Behavioral studies and controlled exposure experiments

• Biopsy sampling

• Tagging and tracking

• Analysis of data and technical assistance to ensure legal compliance

• Preparation of necessary reports, consultation packages, and permit applications

• Management and coordination of complex projects with other Federal agencies, institutions and organizations spanning a wide range of geographic locations.

The contractor will ensure that all individuals conducting fieldwork possess or are authorized to work under applicable required permits (MMPA, ESA, etc.).

The following are major categories of tasks required under this contract, but are not intended to represent all of the types of services which may be requested. The specific services and objectives will be detailed in the performance work statement (PWS) contained within each task order.

1. Program Management and Coordination

The primary contractor will be responsible for management, coordination, and oversight of Navy-wide monitoring efforts. In support of this initiative the contractor should be prepared to establish, manage, and coordinate multiple monitoring efforts simultaneously across broad geographic regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans where the U.S. Navy conducts training and testing activities. To successfully accomplish the objectives of the ICMP and meet requirements of Navy permits and authorizations, the contractor is expected to assemble and/or have access to a large team of researchers and scientists with extensive experience developing and performing complex studies of marine species including bioacoustics, behavior, ecology, density/abundance, and habitat use. Expertise in identifying and working with species from both Atlantic and Pacific oceans will be required and previous experience conducting monitoring and research on Navy ranges is highly desired. The contractor is expected to maintain physical office locations in San Diego, California; Norfolk or Virginia Beach, Virginia; and Honolulu, Hawaii. In addition, the primary contractor must provide a single program manager responsible for oversight and management of this contract and all associated task orders.

a. Coordination of Monitoring Projects and Subject Matter Experts

The scope and magnitude of marine species monitoring tasks under this contract requires significant collaboration among universities, research institutions, and other regional marine scientists, as well as potential leveraging of efforts and resources from a variety of federal and state agencies. The contractor is expected to effectively communicate and work collaboratively with various scientific organizations and individuals, and facilitate coordination among these groups to provide required services and products.

b. Data Management

Large quantities of data (visual observation, passive acoustics, ecological, and environmental) will be collected and generated through various monitoring efforts. It is essential that data be organized, cataloged, and stored in accordance with established protocols to facilitate analysis and meet reporting requirements. Data from visual and passive acoustic surveys may need to be processed and prepared in specific formats to be submitted to existing databases such as OBIS-SEAMAP. Tracking and movement data from tagging studies must be managed efficiently and contributed to the Animal Telemetry Network, or integrated into other systems developed specifically to manage marine resource and monitoring data. The contractor shall establish protocols to ensure all data and information generated under this contract is efficiently cataloged and managed in order to facilitate analysis and reporting as well as to ensure consistency among individual monitoring efforts. The contractor shall be prepared to supply copies of all data, products, and deliverables (MS Excel, MS Access, other databases, GIS, etc.) to Navy technical representatives involved with the monitoring program in a timely manner as required.

c. Analysis and Reporting Results of monitoring efforts will need to be analyzed appropriately and reported in a format (written reports, tables, figures, maps, databases, etc.) consistent with requirements established through coordination with NMFS and the MMPA authorization process. Data analysis may include, but is not limited to, the following: assessment of observation data for trends in species distribution and abundance; evaluation of acoustic, behavioral, and tagging data to examine potential changes in animal behavior; assessments of mitigation and monitoring effectiveness; as well as addressing other questions that may be raised as part of the Navy’s environmental compliance and monitoring program.

Periodic short-timeframe reports may include summaries of monitoring effort and preliminary data/results immediately following individual monitoring events such as “quick-look” summary reports. In addition, the contractor may be responsible for preparing the Navy’s annual monitoring program report summarizing progress and results from all current monitoring projects. All reports and deliverables will be prepared in standard MS Office format for both draft review and final version, as well as in Adobe pdf for final distribution. These reports will be prepared for audiences including the Navy and regulatory agencies such as NMFS as well as the general public.

2. Scientific field work and associated analyses

The contractor shall be responsible for performing and/or coordinating multiple monitoring elements designed to support the Navy’s short and long-term monitoring objectives. Specific monitoring activities under this Contract may include, but are not limited to:

a. Visual surveys

The primary purpose of visual surveys is to monitor, locate, and report on the distribution, numbers, and behavior of marine species. Surveys may support active Navy training exercises by providing before, during, and/or after monitoring and may also be conducted for more synoptic purposes such as establishing spatial-temporal distribution, abundance, and habitat associations. Surveys may be conducted from vessels, aircraft, UAVs, and land in a number of formats appropriate to the specific purpose including systematic line-transects and focal follows. It shall be the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that all necessary safety regulations are followed and appropriate permits have been obtained.

b. Marine Mammal Observers

Monitoring obligations may require that trained observers be stationed onboard Navy ships during a sampling of training exercises for the purpose of providing detailed data on encounters with marine species including species identification and behavioral observations. Observers shall meet specific minimum qualification standards as established through individual task orders under this contract.

c. Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Passive acoustic monitoring will be performed either in coordination with other monitoring techniques or as a primary means of monitoring for the presence of marine mammals, as well as anthropogenic sound sources such as sonar and explosives. Acoustic monitoring may be accomplished through a variety of real-time and archival methods including deployment of moored autonomous instrument packages/buoys, towed passive acoustic arrays, free-floating sensors such as sonobuoys, autonomous underwater vehicles and gliders, and instrumented ranges. Acoustic monitoring may be used as a means of complementing visual observation data by providing real-time monitoring capabilities below the surface and/or during poor sighting conditions (weather and daylight limitations) or provide continuous longer-term monitoring capabilities through post-analysis of recordings at specific fixed locations.

In addition to collecting passive acoustic data, access to individuals with extensive experience in developing analysis protocols, detection, classification, and localization algorithms, and conducting sophisticated, complex analysis of passive acoustic data will also be required. Primary investigators with considerable previous experience reviewing and identifying recorded marine mammal vocalizations, underwater acoustic propagation, digital signal processing, automated detection, programming, and potentially means to work with classified data, are also required.

d. Marine Species Tagging and Tracking

Marine species tagging and tracking will be performed either in coordination with other monitoring techniques or as a primary means of monitoring movements and behaviors of marine mammals and sea turtles. Tagging data can provide information about dive profiles, habitat utilization, large- and fine-scale movements as well as many other aspects of an individual’s life history and ecology. Experts that have experience in the application of various tagging methods will be required, as well as individuals who are trained in the processing and analysis of data streams generated by various tag technologies.

Specific expertise using a variety of tag types and associated attachment methodologies is necessary to evaluate the best use of tagging assets.

e. Photo Identification

Photographic identification of individual animals may be performed in coordination with other monitoring techniques as a means of cataloging the presence of marine mammals and creating a photographic database to analyze population parameters. Undertaking photo-identification studies will require the use of experienced photographers who have worked with wildlife or other fast-moving subjects. Expertise in photo-matching, the use of automated photo-identification software, and photo catalog management may also be required to analyze and report results.

f. Behavioral studies

Behavioral studies may be performed in coordination with other monitoring techniques as a means of assessing the effects of exercises and other stressors on the normal behavior of marine mammals and sea turtles. Observations of behaviors will be made through analysis of visual, tagging, and passive acoustic data. Visual survey methodologies may include focal follows, continuous observations, and other standard surveillance techniques. A variety of platforms can be utilized to observe behavioral patterns such as shore-based, ship-based, and/or aerial observations. Tagging or passive acoustic data can also be used to interpret behavior (e.g., dive time or patterns, habitat utilization, swim speed and direction). Implementation of controlled exposure experiments and analysis of incidental exposures is expected to be a considerable focus of the monitoring program.

3. Supporting services and technical analyses

a. Event reconstruction and environmental data integration

In order to assess potential behavioral responses to active sonar and underwater detonations, it will be necessary to correlate marine mammal movements and behaviors with Navy training data including active sonar use and ship tracks. These data will likely be sensitive and may be classified. This analysis will provide a key component of interpreting the monitoring data in an operational context. Methods for this analysis and reconstruction will need to be developed with Navy operators and adapted as data needs require. Analysis will need to be crafted to integrate data from varied sensors used for monitoring including vertical and horizontal movements from tags, passive acoustic detections, behavioral observations from visual observers, and operational data related to the movements and actions of navy assets. Analyses involving operational data may be restricted to classified environments and will require an appropriate level of clearance for both facilities and personnel involved.

b. Ecological Analysis

In order to provide an integrated natural resources perspective relative to monitoring and management services, studies to enhance the understanding of ecosystem structure, function, and services may be required. These may include, but are not limited to, tropical coral reef and temperate ecosystem studies related to the following topics.

1) Habitat structure and mapping: Substrate type, water depth and current speed, and spatial and temporal complexity of physical habitat;

2) Water quality: Temperature, sedimentation, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, salinity, organic and inorganic chemicals, total suspended solids, and nutrients;

3) Flow regime: Water direction, volume, and flow timing;

4) Food (energy): Type, amount, and size of organic source particles entering the ecosystem;

seasonal pattern of energy availability; and light intensity;

5) Reproduction: Fecundity, settlement, recruitment, and persistence over time;

6) Biotic interactions: Changes in competition and predation stimulated by fishing, disease, parasitism, mutualism, and introduction of alien taxa;

7) Biological assessments: Surveys of the distribution, diversity and abundance of organisms;

assessments of community and assemblage structure, demographics, taxonomic identification and composition, individual condition, and biological processes;

8) Biochemical and genetic analysis: species identification, ecotype or biotype identification, detection of stress indicators, and eDNA analysis.

c. Public Outreach

In order to make the public and other stakeholders aware of the broad range of activities which the

Navy engages in on behalf of marine resource monitoring and management, presentations and graphic displays (brochures, pamphlets, posters, etc.) for various audiences may need to be prepared. The contractor may be required to prepare items such as, but not limited to, brochures, guides, slides, overheads, and computer presentations to support reporting requirements or facilitate dissemination of information and data. The contractor will also be expected to support maintenance of the monitoring program’s online web portal. This will include expertise with web design and programming, content management, social media management, and interactive data presentation that supports dissemination of data, information, reports, and other documents to the general public as well as regulators and specific stakeholders.

d. Miscellaneous marine and biological resource services

The contractor may be requested to provide miscellaneous biological resources planning, evaluation, management, and related services that may be required of the Navy as a condition of compliance with federal natural resources regulations and Navy natural resources policies. These services may include, but are not limited to, the preparation of assessments, evaluations, engineering evaluations, maintenance plans, management plans for conservation areas, baseline assessment surveys, training programs and workshops, and compliance assistance.

C.3 SPECIFIC PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall furnish or facilitate access to sufficient technical, supervisory, and administrative personnel at all times to ensure timely execution of the work for each task order or project. The Program Manager (PM) shall be responsible for maintaining a fully-staffed and equipped work force and for providing liaison between the contract personnel, and the Navy’s Contracting Officer (KO), Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and Contract Specialists (CS). All work shall be accomplished according to schedule and within the budget established by the COR and approved by the Navy’s Contracting Officer. It shall be the PM's responsibility to ensure adequate internal controls and review procedures which shall resolve conflicts, and minimize errors or omissions, as well as ensuring the technical accuracy and timeliness of all work required under each task order.

Agencies, institutions, corporations, associations, or individuals will be considered qualified when they meet the criteria given below. If, during the performance of this contract, the contractor must utilize Program Manager or

Technical Project Manager personnel other than those identified in the technical proposal, such substitution shall not be made without approval by the KO and COR. All principal and supervisory personnel, in addition to education and professional experience, must demonstrate a working knowledge of federal environmental laws and regulations.

When certification is established by the respective national societies, certification will be required for at least the specialist responsible for work under a specific task order (e.g. Professional Engineer)

1. Program Manager. This position shall be held by a principal officer or senior manager of the contractor with authority to represent the interest of the contractor in all matters relating to the contract or to a specific task order. The Program Manager may not be a subcontractor. The program manager shall be responsible for liaison between contract personnel and the contracting officer or COR, and for maintaining a fully-staffed and equipped work force. The program manager shall have a minimum of five years of full-time professional experience in biology, natural resources management, environmental science, or a closely related field, and shall have a minimum of five years of experience in a program management, project principal, or project director capacity. Substantial experience as both a program/project manager and technical expert with field experience conducting research on marine mammals and sea turtles is preferred.

The program manager must be able to demonstrate their success with meeting government timelines and previous experience managing contracts of similar size and scope. The program manager will be responsible for overseeing the administration of this contract and all associated task orders, as well as serving as the primary liaison with the COR.

2. Technical Project Manager. This position shall be held by staff with a minimum of a Master’s degree in the specific field and shall have at least three years of full-time professional experience with at least two years of experience in a project manager capacity. Technical Project Managers may not be subcontractors.

Technical project managers coordinate the efforts of the other disciplines (including sub-contractors) ensuring timeliness, forecasting delays, etc. Additionally, technical project managers will be the main points of contact for all required results and/or progress on projects. Technical project manager’s vitae must clearly demonstrate experience in conducting and/or managing field surveys and behavioral monitoring for government or industry that are similar to the goals of the Navy monitoring efforts. They must possess the professional expertise and rapport with colleagues that will enable them to assemble a credible team of experts to ensure data are collected, analyzed, and reported in a manner that will ensure legal and scientific credibility. Technical project managers must demonstrate success with meeting government timelines and have familiarity with regulatory requirements. The primary contractor will ensure a primary technical project manager is assigned to the contract for each major geographic region (Atlantic, CONUS Pacific, and Pacific Islands) with responsibility for overseeing and managing all monitoring tasks and program integration. Additional technical project managers will be assigned to individual task orders as necessary.

3. Marine Biologist: Each position shall be filled by someone with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marine biology or a closely-related field and 3 years specifically-related experience in marine biology, or an MS degree and 1 year specifically-related experience. Five additional years of documented experience in marine biology may be substituted in lieu of formal education requirements. Marine biologists must be chosen to represent the geographical span of this effort and include the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States, the Pacific islands, the Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska.

4. Wildlife Biologist/Zoologist. Each position shall be filled by someone with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology/zoology or a closely-related field and 3 years specifically-related experience in wildlife biology/zoology, or an MS degree and 1 year specifically-related experience. Five additional years of documented wildlife biology/zoology experience may be substituted in lieu of formal education requirements. Wildlife biologists must be chosen to represent the geographical span of this effort and include the Pacific Islands and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the United States. Gulf of Mexico and Alaska experts may also be required.

5. Marine Bioacoustician. Each position shall be filled with someone with a bachelor’s degree in biology/physics/engineering or a closely-related field and 5 years specifically-related experience, an MS degree and 2 years specifically-related experience, or a PhD degree focused specifically on practical applications of bioacoustics research in the marine environment. Specifically related experience includes biological sound production and reception mechanisms, performance evaluation of biological active and passive sonar systems, biological acoustic countermeasures and predator evasion techniques, physiological and behavioral impacts of anthropogenic sound, measurement and instrumentation systems used to monitor and study biological sounds, detection/classification and analysis techniques for biological sounds, fisheries acoustics, use of passive acoustic monitoring hardware and analysis software, and other industrial applications related to marine bio-acoustics.

6. Biostatistician. Each position shall be filled with someone with a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, wildlife biostatistics, or a closely-related field and 5 years specifically-related experience, an MS degree and 2 years specifically-related experience, or a PhD degree focused specifically on practical applications of statistics to the design and evaluation of research programs addressing topics such as species abundance, density estimation, and habitat modeling.

7. Marine species observer. Each position shall be filled by someone with a bachelor’s degree in marine biology or a closely-related field and a minimum of 1 year experience specifically conducting shipboard/aerial visual surveys for marine species. Three years of documented experience as a marine species observer may be substituted in lieu of formal education requirements. Individuals will preferably have training through NMFS-approved programs and have experience working from a variety of observation platforms. Observers with experiential knowledge of marine mammal and sea turtle identification from vessel and aerial platforms in the United States’ Pacific and Atlantic coastal waters, Hawaii, and Gulf of Mexico are essential.

8. Fisheries Biologist and Oceanographer. Each position shall be filled by someone with a bachelor’s degree in the scientific field or a closely-related field and 4–5 years specifically-related experience in the discipline, or an MS degree and 2–3 years specifically-related experience. Five years of additional documented work experience in the scientific discipline may be substituted in lieu of formal education requirements.

9. Biological/Laboratory Technician. This position requires someone with specific technical knowledge of the disciplines listed above (either through education or experience) to assist one (or more) of the professionals listed in paragraphs above in the project work, either in the field or lab/office.

10. Technical Editor. This position requires a person well-versed in editing skills with at least two years of specific technical experience as an editor. This person may be required to edit the work of a number of varying specialists. This position requires someone with word processing experience/knowledge and strong English grammar skills.

11. GIS Analyst. This position requires someone with 4-5 years of computer mapping experience with ESRI compatible products. The specialist shall have an in-depth knowledge of the principles of cartography and must be able to collect and interpret mapping data from a variety of sources including field survey data and aerial photography. Knowledge of relational database management systems (RDMSs) and structural query languages (SQLs) such as Oracle is required.

12. Web/app developer. This position requires expertise with development of web sites and content management including leveraging platforms such as Concrete5 and WordPress. Support with iOS/Android app development and maintenance may also be necessary. Formal education in computer science, web development, and app development is desirable although experience and expertise may be substituted. This position will assist with management of the monitoring program’s public web portal where information and data is disseminated to the public as well as stakeholders in both open and restricted access.

13. Database Manager - This position requires someone with specific training and technical knowledge developing and maintaining database structure and architectures, particularly those associated with various GIS software platforms and relational databases. The database manager is responsible for assisting the Program Manager and Technical Project Managers with QA/QC, standardization, archiving, and reporting associated with all monitoring data collected under the contract.

14. Clerical/Administrative Assistant - Responsibilities include setting up and maintaining files, answering phone calls and referring to appropriate staff, arranging meetings and conferences; scheduling appointments; making travel arrangements, reviewing drafts and finished documents for appropriate grammatical usage, distribute incoming correspondence such as mail, faxes, and email; create and modify documents such as invoices, reports, memos, letters and financial statements using Microsoft Office, QuickBooks or other programs. A qualified individual for this position shall have a high school diploma and three years’ experience.

C.4 REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

Written reports summarizing the results of the work performed under this contract shall be prepared in a format reflecting contemporary organizational and illustrative standards of professional scientific journals. Reports may include, but not be limited to, draft, pre-final, and final technical reports; data compendium and photographic notebooks; progress reports; work plans; and supplementary reports. Specific requirements for reports, electronic media, mapping, graphics, and related deliverables may be further defined in the individual task orders.

Progress reports shall be submitted monthly for each task order and shall contain an accurate account of progress and percentage completed. Progress reports shall be accompanied by invoices for services rendered. Work plans and other supplementary reports shall address the tasks identified in the scope of work accompanying the task order.

These shall be short, concise reports and will detail information requested in individual task orders. The contractor is responsible for recording minutes at any meetings with Government representatives, and shall submit minutes to the COR within 5 working days following the meeting.

Final reports shall incorporate review comments submitted to the contractor by the Government. The contractor shall provide copies of the final report as specified in each task order. Final reports shall be provided in electronic format via email, FTP, or other electronic means as specified by the task order using MS Office and Adobe PDF format.

C.5 DATA DELIVERY, USE, AND HANDLING

All data collected or generated under this contract will be submitted for archiving and integration into the Navy-wide monitoring program database and be made publically available through the Ocean Biogeographic Information System Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System Animal Telemetry Network (IOOS ATN) Data Assembly Center (DAC). All data and products collected and/or produced under this contract are subject to terms of the program’s Data Management Plan and Appendices, which shall be added to this solicitation by amendment.

C.5 has been deleted and replaced with the information below:

C.5 DATA DELIVERY, USE, AND HANDLING

All data collected or generated under this contract will be submitted for archiving and integration into the Navywide monitoring program database and be made publically available through the Ocean Biogeographic Information System Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System Animal Telemetry Network (IOOS ATN) Data Assembly Center (DAC). All data and products collected and/or produced under this contract are subject to terms of the contract clauses and Appendices A-D:

Appendix A – Electronic Information Management & Data Deliverable Specifications Appendix B – U.S. Navy Marine Species Monitoring Data Use Agreement Appendix C – Handling Procedures for Ocean Observing System Data from Navy-funded Marine Species Research and Development and Marine Species Monitoring Appendix D - Notification of Use of Integrated Ocean Observing System Animal Telemetry Network Data Assembly Center for Navy-funded marine species research and monitoring work

C.6 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES

No Government furnished facilities, equipment, or utilities are provided under this contract.

C.7 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS

The contractor shall furnish all facilities, equipment, materials, supplies, and tools necessary for the performance of the work under this contract unless otherwise specified in the task order. Unique or special equipment that may be required will be specified in the task order. The contractor may make recommendations as to any unique/special equipment, facilities, materials, or tools along with the respective cost estimates prior to award of a task order.

Necessary equipment to support marine species monitoring field work includes, but is not limited to, aircraft and shipboard survey platforms, digital still and video cameras, portable computers and data loggers, GPS units, binoculars, passive acoustic monitoring hardware, satellite telemetry and tracking hardware and deployment equipment, data storage and backup devices, and necessary safety equipment such as flight suits, personal floatation devices (PFDs), and Emergency Positional-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). The primary contractor is expected to have access to all equipment needed to complete the work required under this contract.

While the expectation is that the contractor shall furnish all equipment and supplies necessary to perform the work under this contract, non-expendable equipment and supplies acquired to meet the requirements of all task orders and funded directly through this contract may be required to be turned over to the Government upon expiration or termination of the contract as negotiated as part of the task order for which the equipment or supplies are required.

Non-expendable equipment and supplies such as computers, acoustic monitoring equipment, oceanographic equipment, cameras, radios, mapping equipment, and other items that are required to be turned over to the Government shall be identified by the contractor for each task order, cataloged and managed in an equipment inventory system, and turned in to the Government when this contract is closed out or as negotiated as part of the task order.

Office supplies and other expendables such as stationery, pens, printer ink/toner, and other items needed to adequately stock an office and produce reports shall be included in the contractor’s overhead costs.

SECTION G - CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

G.1 AUTHORIZED CHANGES ONLY BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER

a) Except as specified in paragraph (b) below, no order, statement, or conduct of Government personnel who visit the Contractor's facilities or in any other manner communicates with Contractor personnel during the performance of this contract shall constitute a change under the "Changes" clause of this contract.

b) The Contractor shall not comply with any order, direction or request of Government personnel unless it is issued in writing and signed by the Contracting Officer, or is pursuant to specific authority otherwise included as a part of this contract.

c) The Contracting Officer is the only person authorized to approve changes in any of the requirements of this contract and notwithstanding provisions contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely the Contracting Officer's. In the event the Contractor effects any change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment will be made in the contract price to cover any increase in charges incurred as a result thereof. The address and telephone number of the Contracting Officer is:

The Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) for this contract is:

Jennifer W. McDonald

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic 6506 Hampton Blvd.

Norfolk, Virginia, 23508-1278 757-322-8154

The Contract Specialist for this contract is:

Kimberly Pryor Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic 6506 Hampton Blvd.

Norfolk, Virginia, 23508-1278 (757)322-4594

The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for this contract is:

Joel Bell Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic 6506 Hampton Blvd.

Norfolk, Virginia, 23508-1278 (757)322-4854

CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENTS AND DUTIES

In order to expedite administration of this contract, the following delineation of duties is provided including the names, addresses and phone numbers for each individual or office as specified. The individual/position designated as having responsibility should be contacted for any questions, clarifications or information regarding the functions assigned.

1. PROCURING CONTRACTING OFFICER (PCO) is responsible for:

a. All pre-award information, questions, or data;

b. Freedom of Information inquiries;

c. Change/question/information regarding the scope, terms or conditions of the basic contract document;

and/or

d. Arranging the post award conference (See FAR 42.503).

2. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE (CAO) is responsible for matters specified in FAR 42.302 and DFARS 242.302 except in those areas otherwise designated herein.

3. PAYING OFFICE is responsible for payment of proper invoices after acceptance is documented.

Name: To be determined on individual task orders.

4. CONTRACTING OFFICERS REPRESENTATIVE (COR) is responsible for:

a. Liaison with personnel at the Government installation and the contractor personnel on site;

b. Technical advice/recommendations/clarification on the statement of work;

c. The statement of work for task orders placed under this contract.

d. An independent government estimate of the effort described in the definitized statement of work;

e. Quality assurance of services performed and acceptance of the services or deliverables;

f. Government furnished property;

g. Security requirements on Government installation;

h. Providing the PCO or his designated Ordering Officer with appropriate funds for issuance of the Delivery/Task order; and/or

i. Certification of invoice for payment.

NOTE: When, in the opinion of the Contractor, the COR requests effort outside the existing scope of the contract (or task order), the Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer (or Ordering Officer) in writing. No action shall be taken by the contractor under such direction until the Contracting Officer has issued a modification to the contract or, in the case of a delivery/task order, until the Ordering Officer has issued a modification of the delivery/task order; or until the issue has otherwise been resolved.

A Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) is NOT a…