NFFR71002102574 SOW (RFQ).docx

NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Resources Division Statement of Work: Albacore Biological Sampling Base Year Period of Performance: December 1, 2021 – November 30, 2022 (option year December 1, 2022- November 30, 2023) I. Introduction The Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) has a long history of cooperative research with the commercial albacore surface fleet, which is the largest fishery for highly migratory species (HMS) on the U.S. West Coast. Over the years, projects have included archival tagging, biological sampling to support life history and ecology studies, electronic logbook development and onboard length sampling. The Albacore Working Group (ALBWG) of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC) conducts stock assessments of North Pacific albacore and has identified a number of key uncertainties and research recommendations to improve the assessment. Based on this, there are a number of research requirements to meet gaps in currently available data. 1) Re-examine the length-at –age curve for juvenile albacore landed off the U.S. West Coast, 2) Estimate sex specific length-at–age for the Central Pacific. 3) Quantify albacore foraging habitat and its relation to catchability.

II. Background As mandated by the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) is responsible for research and stock assessments supporting the sustainable management of HMS fish stocks. Albacore are managed nationally under the Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC) HMS Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) and the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WPRFMC) Pelagic Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP), and internationally by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). Off the U.S. West Coast, albacore support the largest commercial fishery for HMS with 7,471 mt of albacore tuna landed in 2017 worth $38.9 million (PFMC 2018). Tasks within this solicitation will directly impact the underlying data used in the assessment of Albacore. This solicitation is for collection of biological samples and transportation of Albacore tuna to the SWFSC.

III. Description of Work and Services This contract is a non-personal service contract. The contract goal is to facilitate sampling and transport to the SWFSC of albacore samples from commercial fisheries in the North Pacific as well as to facilitate chemical analyses.

Task 1: Albacore Biosampling 2022 Obtain samples from 180 juvenile albacore over prescribed size classes, 60 for each of three prescribed 2-month periods over the 2022 fishing season, as indicated in the table below. Ship samples to the SWFSC by the end of the performance period. NOAA will provide the supplies needed for sample collection as well as training.

Table of sample collections to be carried out in each of Three, 2-month periods over the course of the season.

Facilitate the acquisition of adult albacore (either heads or whole fish) from the Central Pacific longline fleet.

Have selected samples of albacore and prey analyzed for chemical composition by November 30, 2022. NOAA will select and send the samples to the lab.

Task 2: Albacore Biosampling 2023 Obtain samples from 180 juvenile albacore over prescribed size classes, 60 for each of three prescribed 2-month periods over the 2023 fishing season, as indicated in the table above. Ship samples to the SWFSC by the end of the performance period. NOAA will provide the supplies needed for sample collection as well as training.

Facilitate the acquisition of adult albacore (either heads or whole fish) from the Central Pacific longline fleet.

IV. Deliverables

1. Between the date of award and November 30, 2022, the vendor will provide biological samples from juvenile and adult albacore for the 2022 fishing season and will have selected samples analyses for proximal analyses.

2. Between the date of award and November 30, 2023, the vendor will provide biological samples from juvenile and adult albacore for the 2023 fishing season.

V. Non-Personal Service Contract Statement

Contractor employees performing services under this order will be controlled, directed and supervised at all times by management personnel of the contractor. Contractor employees will perform independent of and without the supervision of any Government official. Actions of contractor employees may not be interpreted or implemented in any manner that results in any contractor employee creating or modifying Federal policy, obligating the appropriated funds of the U.S. Government, overseeing the work of Federal employees, providing direct personal services to any Federal employee or otherwise violating the prohibitions set forth in Parts 7.5 and 37.1 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The Government will perform the inspection and acceptance of the completed work.

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