NFFR71002102574 Question and Answer.docx

Q&A

1. We understand the SWFSC has a long history of cooperative research with the commercial albacore surface fleet, but is there an established relationship between NMFS and the Central Pacific longline fleet for the Albacore Biological Sampling Services? If so, will NMFS provide the contractor with vessel name and contact information for the Central Pacific longline fleet, or will the contractor be responsible for determining which vessels participate, gathering contact information, and making the initial contact in order to collect samples throughout the season?

NOAA personnel will take all responsibility for communications and coordination with the Central Pacific Longline Fleet and/or processors. AFRF will only need to pay invoices submitted for the samples.

2. What are the approximate or expected dates for the three, 2-month sampling periods?

In further discussion, it appears that three 6-week periods would be better.

June 1-July 15/ July 16-August 31/ Sept 1- October 15.

If a shift from 8 to 6 weeks is problematic we can go with May 15 – July 15 / July 16-Sept 15/ Sept 16- November 15

3. During the three, 2-month sampling periods is this expected to be a full time or part time position?

Mike Cornman from Westport Seafood Inc. will assign someone involved in their processing to collect samples and AFRF will pay $25 per set of samples. There is no need for AFRF hire anyone.

4. If the position is expected to be less than full time, what is the estimated weekly time effort expected during each sampling period?

Mike Cornman from Westport Seafood Inc. will assign someone involved in their processing to collect samples and AFRF will pay $25 per set of samples. There is no need for AFRF hire anyone.

5. Outside of the sampling periods, but within the period of performance, is this position expected to be full or part time?

Mike Cornman from Westport Seafood Inc. will assign someone involved in their processing to collect samples and AFRF will pay $25 per set of samples. There is no need for AFRF hire anyone and there will be no work outside the sampling period.

6. Is the biological sampler expected to be on call 24/7 throughout the sampling season?

There is no need for anyone to be on call. All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor.

7. Are the samples expected to be collected at the port when the vessel delivers their catch, or will samples be collected at sea aboard the vessel?

All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor.

8. Will vessels or processors call the contractor/biological sampler to communicate the time and location they should arrive to collect samples?

All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor.

9. At what ports is the contractor expected to collect samples from?

All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor.

10. Will the contractor be reimbursed for mileage incurred traveling between ports and to SWFSC to collect and deliver samples?

All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor so there will be no mileage for collection or delivery.

11. In regards to the task “facilitate chemical analyses”- “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”. Will the responsibility of the biological sampler be to ensure the samples make it to the laboratory, the analyses are done by the lab team, and the biological sampler will ensure the analyses are completed, and ensure the results make it back to the SWFSC? The biological sampler will not be directly involved with performing the chemical analyses?

As with the central Pacific samples, all logistics and shipping will be coordinate by NOAA staff. AFRF’s only responsibility will be to pay the one invoice from the lab.

12. How many vessels are in the fleet, and is the biological sampler expected to randomly collect samples from all vessels that participate in the fishery, or a smaller subset that have agreed to participate in this sampling effort?

All sample collection will occur through the Westport Processor so there will be no need for AFRF to hire a sampler or to worry about which fish are sampled from whom.

13. What types of specific samples are expected to be collected?

Sample collection will include otoliths, a fin clip for genetic analyses/ a piece of tissue/ and the stomach. All sampling supplies will be provided to Westport from NOAA.

14. Will the contractor be expected to physically transport the samples to SWFSC or will all samples be shipped?

All samples will be shipped to NOAA.

15. Is there an incumbent contractor for this position?

There is no need for a contractor as Westport Seafood Inc will manage sample collections as a part of the operations.

16. What is the page limit for the technical proposal, and does it exclude title page, table of contents, list of tables and figures and acronym list? There is no page limit for the technical proposal.