Underwater Surveys QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.pdf

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

NFFKPR00-20-03154

1. QUESTION: As far as the minimum number of transects requiring survey, the scope of work states a minimum of 2 transects per site (each 20-50m in length) are required. Is a “site” defined as a single MRS or do the sub-areas within a particular MRS each count as a “site”? For example, MRS 2 contains multiple cayos in need of survey. May we assume each cay is a “site”?

GOVT ANSWER: Yes, each cay where surveys need to be done is a site within the MRS. As stated in the SOW, there are specific cays in MRS 2 (the one pertaining to the offshore cays) that will need surveys.

At the beginning of Section 4 of the SOW, the list of MRSs also has parenthetical references to each general area in each MRS where surveys are required.

So, for MR3 it is the coral habitats off the coast seaward of the public beach and campground;

for MRS 12 it is the in-water coral habitats from coast seaward from Carlos Rosario Beach and the northern area of the coast of Tamarindo Grande seaward toward Carlos Rosario; etc.

2. QUESTION: Since this is a streamlined solicitation, I would like to kindly confirm that only the following documents/information are required in addition to the CLIN pricing sheet: The Request for Quote (RFQ) number; The Name, Address, Telephone Number, and DUNS Number of the Offeror; A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the RFQ; A list of Key Personnel, names, titles, and contact information;

Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments (SF-30), if any, and; Completed Past Performance Reference form.

Therefore, a technical approach for the survey or written qualifications of our firm should be NOT be included?

GOVT ANSWER: Your technical approach for the survey must be included. As this is a best value/tradeoff, the technical approach will be evaluated.

3. QUESTION: Are there multiple areas within the different MRS to be surveyed? Or is it one location where we will need to do the surveys?

GOVT ANSWER: In regard to the question about multiple areas within MRSs, it depends on the MRS. The vendor should see the list of MRSs and the parenthetical references to the actual locations where surveys will be needed in section 4.0 of the SOW.

4. QUESTION: Also, in the requirements, it mentions that all divers need to have appropriate certifications in keeping with NOAA dive policies. What are those certifications?

GOVT ANSWER: In terms of diving requirements, divers must be certified (PADI or other certification); properly trained in the use of equipment such as lift bags, light hand tools, photography; and in compliance with OSHA commercial diving standards, as applicable.

5. QUESTION: In regards to the proposal, what are the requirements for the vessel and Captain used during the surveys? Does it have to be a Commercial Vessel with an US Coat Guard Certified Captain or is there more flexibility like using a private boat and experienced seamen?

GOVT ANSWER: There is no requirement that it be a commercial vessel. However, all small boats, including those operated by contractors, must comply with the requirements in NOAA's small boat standards manual (https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media/documents/small-boat-standards-and-procedures-manual-41-edition). This includes having appropriate floatation and other safety devices onboard.

6. QUESTION: Please, specify what will be the minimum number of replicate transects per location. Some of the polygons (i.e., Culebra) have different coral reef systems. Should we look at different coral reefs within the larger polygons? Or in cases such as Carlos Rosario Beach in Culebra, this is a very extensive, continuous (linear) coral reef system. In such a case, should we sample different locations (with at least 3-4 replicate transects per location) in areas that contain very large systems? The number of replicate transects/location is important because most of the time ESA-listed species distribution tends to be very patchy. Spatial sampling design is critical to be representative

GOVT ANSWER: As stated in the SOW, at least two 20-50 m transects will be required at each MRS in the areas identified in the SOW. For instance, the reef area off Flamenco public beach and campground. Also as stated in the SOW, NMFS and the USACE will coordinate the exact locations with the selected vendor. For security reasons, the areas where potential unexploded ordnance cannot be shared broadly. It is also important to note that this is not a scientific research project. This is a project to assess presence/absence of ESA-listed corals and their habitat where underwater cleanup will occur.

7. QUESTION: What about different types of habitats? Some locations will have within survey polygons a combination of multiple habitats (i.e., linear reefs, patch reefs, colonized pavement, rock reefs, seagrasses, algal plains, etc.). Should stratified sampling designs be implemented in such cases to address different types of habitats?

GOVT ANSWER: No. Please see response to question 6. The purpose of the surveys is to determine whether ESA-listed corals are present and/or the PBF of elkhorn and staghorn corals in areas where underwater cleanup will take place. At least two 20-50 meter transects should be done at each location. We do not expect vendors to tell us the exact locations of transects at this time because these will be coordinated with NMFS and USACE with the selected vendor based on where ordnance will be removed but cannot be shared broadly at this time. In addition, as noted in the SOW, it is expected that the final transect location will vary in the field.

https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media/documents/small-boat-standards-and-procedures-manual-41-edition https://www.omao.noaa.gov/find/media/documents/small-boat-standards-and-procedures-manual-41-edition

8. QUESTION: What about depth? Some locations have high spatial variation in depth profiles.

Different ESA-listed species will occur at different depth zones. What should be the appropriate approach? Should we target this following a stratified sampling design, making sure we target all specific subhabitats across different depth zones? The same happens with seagrasses. Some of the seagrass habitats also show a wide range of depths. What would be the recommendation for this?

GOVT ANSWER: This SOW does not require surveying seagrass. Transects can be designed to include various depths in areas with coral habitat but final locations will also be based on the location where underwater cleanup will occur. See previous responses.

9. QUESTION: What would be the minimum recommended metrics for seagrass habitats?

Percentage cover by species? Any metrics about density? Maximum canopy height?

GOVT ANSWER: As stated in the scope of work, this project is focused on the identification of presence/absence of ESA-listed corals and the PBF essential to the conservation of elkhorn and staghorn corals as specified in the designation of critical habitat for this species. There is no requirements for surveying seagrass so not clear why the vendor is asking these questions.

10. QUESTION: Do we need any specific metrics about marine turtles (i.e., density)? Or only determine DCHs?

GOVT ANSWER: The reporting requirements for observations of sea turtles, Nassau grouper, and/or marine mammals are stated in 4.1.2 and 4.2 and is expected to be opportunistic rather than targeted as explained in the SOW.

11. QUESTION: What type of minimum metadata is required to include with each individual replicate transect per location?

GOVT ANSWER: As stated in section 4.1.2, weekly progress reports will be required as transects are completed with data on the final location of transects and preliminary data regarding presence/absence of corals and the PBF, and any sightings data for sea turtles, Nassau grouper, and/or marine mammals. See 4.2 for details of data to include in the final Excel spreadsheet, including transect number and location, GPS location of observed ESA-listed coral colony, species, colony size, percent of live versus dead tissue, and condition (such as bleached, disease).