SOW_Smalltooth_Sawfish.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Outreach for the Endangered Smalltooth Sawfish

Background: The Protected Resources Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is charged with administering the agency’s responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These responsibilities include conservation of federally-listed protected species and their critical habitats, with the ultimate goal of species recovery. Section 4(f) of the ESA directs NMFS to develop and implement Recovery Plans for threatened and endangered species, unless such a plan would not promote conservation of the species.

The smalltooth sawfish (STSF) was listed as an endangered species under the Act in 2003. A Recovery Plan was developed in 2009 and is currently being updated. While that effort is underway, NMFS must continue to implement actions of the current Plan in order to conserve the species. Several actions of the Plan involve educational outreach targeted for boaters, anglers, and divers—those user groups most likely to interact with the species.

Objective: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking a qualified contractor to participate in a variety of public outreach activities. These activities will continue the efforts of NMFS to conserve smalltooth sawfish based on the criteria and actions laid out in the Recovery Plan.

Scope of Work: The contractor shall: (1) attend and provide educational materials at fishing, boating, and/or diving trade shows; (2) schedule and provide presentations to the public; (3) author articles about sawfish research, ecology, and conservation needs; and (4) develop and distribute educational sawfish signs at boat ramps, fishing piers, marinas, or other areas with fishing access.

Technical Requirements: The contractor must have and be able to prove technical expertise and experience with smalltooth sawfish research and conservation. The contractor must also be familiar with regulations of the Endangered Species Act. In order to be responsive, the contractor must provide the following information with their quote:

1. Documentation showing authorship of at least three research or conservation publications pertaining to smalltooth sawfish including, but not limited to: scientific publications, technical reports, or media reports.

1. Documentation showing participation in the drafting of and/or an understanding of ESA related documents such as 5-Year Reviews, Status Reviews, Recovery Plans, Rulemakings, etc.

Tasks:

1) Upon award announcement (August 2018) coordinate with the smalltooth sawfish species coordinator at NMFS, SERO regarding the planned effort and timeline for achieving each Task.

2) Attend and distribute sawfish materials at a minimum of two trade shows, outdoor festivals, or conservation events in southern Florida. Options include, but are not limited to, the Annual Florida Sportsman Expos in Fort Myers, Tampa, and Fort Pierce; the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Earth Day event in Naples, the WFLA Outdoor Expo in Tampa, and the Saint Petersburg Science Festival.

a. Purchase/reserve a booth for the event.

b. Attend the event(s) to display and distribute educational sawfish materials provided by NMFS, SERO. Discuss smalltooth sawfish research, ecology, current threats, management topics, and conservation needs with attendees.

c. Collect data on any public encounter records of sawfish sightings/captures and provide them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

d. Document information about the event(s), the quantity of distributed materials, and any notable interactions to the smalltooth sawfish species coordinator at NMFS, SERO.

3) Give at least four public presentations on sawfish.

a. Schedule public presentations at locations such as schools, parks, expos, fairs, club meetings, etc.

b. Display and distribute educational sawfish materials provided by NMFS, SERO (wallet cards, keychains, sunglass straps, etc.), and discuss smalltooth sawfish research, ecology, current threats, management topics, and conservation needs with attendees.

c. Collect data on any public encounter records of sawfish sightings/captures and provide them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

d. Document information detailing each of the events, the quantity of distributed materials, and any notable interactions to the smalltooth sawfish species coordinator at NMFS, SERO.

4) Write a minimum of four sawfish news articles that detail topics such as sawfish research, ecology, current threats, management, and conservation needs.

a. Distribute to magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc.

b. Share published material on social media when applicable

c. Document details about each of the articles, including when and where they were published

5) Develop, print, and display educational signs at locations where boaters, anglers, or divers are likely to interact with the species.

a. Sign should include a brief overview of the species’ biology and status, current threats, safe release guidance, and reporting information at a minimum.

b. Signs should be a minimum of 12 inches wide by 18 inches tall, constructed of either 0.063 inch aluminum or 0.118 inch DiBond (with aluminum face on both sides), and digitally printed with a UV laminant.

c. Provide a draft design file to the smalltooth sawfish species coordinator for message and design approval.

d. Identify locations, receive permission, and install signs in at least 40 locations throughout at least 3 cities coinciding with high smalltooth sawfish density (e.g., south and southwest Florida).

e. Document the number, size, and location of all signs installed and provide to NMFS, SERO as part of Task 5.d.

6) Provide a final report detailing all outreach events, presentations, and articles as required under Tasks 1-4.

Delivery: The contractor shall deliver products (as outlined under Tasks) to the smalltooth sawfish species coordinator according to the details outlined in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Details for product delivery

Period of Performance: The period of performance will commence following the award of the contract (August 2018) and terminate after receipt of the final product to be delivered by August 30, 2019. Invoices may be submitted to NMFS SERO as needed but the final invoice must not be submitted until the final report is provided as outlined in Deliverable 2.