NCND6012-18-01714_SOW_(1).docx

NCND6012-18-01714

Statement of Work Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Early Warning System for Mass Coral Bleaching

Background Coral bleaching is a stress condition in reef corals that involves a breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between corals and unicellular algae (zooxanthellae). These microscopic plants live within the coral tissue and provide the coral with food for growth and their normal healthy color. Affecting corals during the warm summer months, the symptoms of bleaching include a gradual loss of color as their algae are expelled from the coral tissue, sometimes leaving corals bone white.

Coral bleaching is preceded by the beginning of doldrum climatic conditions e.g. slick calm water, very little wind, and hot air temperatures, which increases sea temperature that in tum can lead to patchy bleaching or bleaching of more vulnerable species. If stressful conditions persist, widespread bleaching of a range of coral species can ensue, resulting in a mass bleaching event. The onset of each of these stages can be used to provide an early warning of a mass bleaching event.

The intention of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to develop and implement an "Early Warning System" to predict the onset of mass coral bleaching in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. This information shall allow managers to better assess, communicate, and respond to mass bleaching events.

To develop and implement the FKNMS Early Warning System for Mass Coral Bleaching, this SOW seeks to retain a contractor for the following tasks: I) Monitoring of environmental conditions (both climatic and sea temperature); 2) Coordinating volunteers to provide early warning of coral bleaching based on field observations; and 3) Coordinating involvement with relevant experts.

Data used to develop the reports shall be obtained from the following sources: http://www.ndbc.noaa.2:ov/maps/Flori du.shtml http://corulreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/bleaching5km

Scope of Work The contractor shall work with the FKNMS Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent for Science and Policy and Science Coordinator to perform the following tasks to provide early warning about the risk of mass coral bleaching:

TASK I - Monitoring Environmental Conditions (September 2018 - September, 2019) Routinely monitor/review near real-time remote sensing and in-situ data related to coral bleaching or relevant environmental conditions available for active monitoring of potential bleaching development. In addition, coordinate with the providers of all relevant remote sensing

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Page I of4 and in-situ data not readily available but that could be accessed when events suggest an increase in the risk of mass bleaching (see Table 1).

Deliverable I.A.- Current Condition Reports.

Provide data synthesis, in the form of “Current Condition Reports" to the FKNMS at the time intervals outlined in Table I with the information outlined in Table 2.

Environmental Conditions have accumulated to levels associated with a "moderate" or "high" risk of bleaching, and/or reports of coral bleaching are reported by volunteers Every two weeks

* Reports shall be provided to FKNMS Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent for Science and Policy and Science Coordinator. Reports shall be disseminated through the FKNMS and by the contractor.

Table 2. Information to be included in Current Condition Reports

Summary of status and trends in remotely sensed data, including NOAA HotSpot and NOAA Degree Heating Weeks data (http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/index.html)

Summary of status and trends in available in-situ data, including CREWS/ICON and SEAKEYS programs (http://www.coral.noaa.gov/index.sh tml)

Summary of volunteer monitoring network observational data

TASK II - Coordinate A Dedicated Volunteer Monitoring Network (September 2018 - September, 2019).

Maintain, and coordinate a network of volunteers to provide reliable, consistent reports of both bleaching and "no bleaching" observations for four reef regions: Upper Keys, Middle Keys, Lower Keys, and Tortugas region. Data to be collected shall include, at a minimum, those categories outlined in Table 3. The program shall be developed in partnership with the FKNMS and relevant industry, academic, governmental, and non-governmental partners. It is expected that volunteers shall be drawn from each of these groups to provide credible observations about the incidence of mass coral bleaching on meaningful temporal and spatial scales. In addition, in partnership with the FKNMS and relevant NGO partners, existing volunteer monitoring networks and communication mechanisms shall be utilized opportunistically to obtain observations of bleaching or "no bleaching".

Contact and train staff at Florida Keys dive shops and dive instructors in order to provide:

a) frequent and routine reporting from heavily visited dive locations (ie. SPA's) throughout the Keys

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b) provide outreach and education materials to both better inform the recreational diving community concerning the increasing risk of bleaching and it's implications for coral health.

Table 3. Information to be obtained through Volunteer Monitoring: Data

I. Observer information and contact info

2. Date and location of observation

3. Habitat type

4. Environmental conditions

5. Percentage and severity of bleaching (based on the protocol in Oliver et al., 2004)

6. Types and/or species of corals affected

7. Depth range of bleaching (minimum and maximum)

Deliverable II.A. Data Sheets, Training Materials, and Monitoring Aids. Products shall be produced and available to train volunteers and provided to the FKNMS for use in raising awareness among stakeholders and decision-makers.

Deliverable II.B. Disseminating Program Information. Information about the Coral Bleaching Volunteer Monitoring Network shall be disseminated through fact sheets, NOAA web sites, and the FKNMS outreach and education team. A one-page fact sheet about the program shall be provided to the FKNMS program in electronic form.

Deliverable II. C. Participation Tracking. A once a year report (December 31) listing dive shops and dive instructors contacted and those that provided reports.

TASK III - Coordinate with Relevant Experts Coordinate with relevant technical experts involved in coral bleaching research, existing remote sensing and in-situ data derived coral bleaching early warning products, and the development and implementation of the FKNMS Bleaching Response Plan. This coordination shall be in support of deliverable I A.

Coordinate with relevant researchers to provide enhanced "ground-trothing" of bleaching conditions to further improve the accuracy of coral bleaching early warning products by:

a) developing resources to ensure a high frequency of visual observations at key locations

b) utilizing volunteers to maintain in-situ temperature loggers at key locations

Deliverable I.A.- Current Condition Reports.

Provide data synthesis, in the form of "Current Condition Reports" to the FKNMS at the time intervals outlined in Table I with the information outlined in Table 2.

IT Security Requirements

The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements of 48 CFR 1352.239-73 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

The Contractor shall not be accessing US government computers or IT systems for this effort. The Contractor shall not be accessing any information that is not within the public domain for this effort.

The contractor shall not be processing, transmitting or storing privileged access information (i.e., non-public) in carrying out the tasks of this contract.

Knowledge Transfer The contractor shall provide, as necessary, periodic training whenever the contractor introduces new processes, new technology or when the contractor changes existing processes or technology. All processes and technology changes must be thoroughly documented. It is the responsibility of the contractor to mentor government identified personnel regarding the new or changed process or technologies. When there is a transition within the contractor's staffing, the contractor shall be responsible for ensuring the incoming personnel is fully versed on any outstanding project deadlines, roles and responsibilities before the new person arrives on the job. In the case of when the services of the contractor is no longer required, the contractor shall begin the knowledge transfer to government personnel or its designated representative at least three weeks before the final contract termination date.

Restrictions Against Disclosure The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep the information furnished by the Government and designated by the Contracting Officer or Government Contact Point in the strictest confidence. The Contractor also agree not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or part, in any manner or form, nor to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor's possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a "need to know" basis. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

The Contractor agrees that it shall not disclose any information described in Subsection A to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

Period of Performance: September 8, 2018 to September 7, 2019

Point of Contact: Lisa Symons 95230 Overseas Highway Key Largo, FL 33037 305-434-9370 Lisa.Symons@noaa.gov image1.png