PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT.pdf

SECTION 3 – LINE ITEMS AND ATTACHMENTS

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NOAA FISHERIES, ALASKA FISHERIES

SCIENCE CENTER, FISHERIES MONITORING AND ANALYSIS DIVISION ALASKA MARINE MAMMAL

OBSERVER PROGRAM

PILOT PROGRAM 2024

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis (FMA) Division collects high quality fishery-dependent information from fisheries in Alaska to manage Alaska groundfish, Pacific halibut and protected resources. Pursuant to the goals of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries, which has the delegated responsibility and authority to manage marine mammals, is directed to assess the level and nature of marine mammal interactions with commercial fishing operations, including serious injury and mortality (SI/M). FMA will support this mission by gathering information on the effects of commercial gillnet fisheries managed by the State of Alaska on marine mammal stocks through the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP). The data will be used to produce statistically reliable estimates of bycatch to be included in annual stock assessment reports and used to determine MMPA risk levels on the List of Fisheries.

While the main objective of the AMMOP is to obtain data to produce statistically reliable estimates of marine mammal bycatch, the 2024 scoping year will prioritize the development of monitoring methods, particularly electronic monitoring (EM). EM is a cost effective technology that will allow the program to achieve target coverage levels. Prior to launching a full scale observer program, it will be important to ensure the capability of EM in documenting fishing effort and marine mammal interaction, and to develop efficient methods of EM implementation into the program.

The FMA Division desires to obtain sampling services and electronic monitoring technology support for the collection of fisheries data including fishing effort, gear characteristics and marine mammal and seabird interactions during an initial scoping phase in 2024 from June 9th through September 29th on the commercial salmon drift gillnet fisheries operating in inland waters of Southeast Alaska.

1.2 BACKGROUND

The FMA Division plans to shift monitoring methods from a traditionally observer centric program to one that employs electronic monitoring (EM) methods. Direct observation of the fishery has historically been obtained from separate platforms requiring the program to procure vessels and boat operators in addition to fishery observers which is extremely costly.

EM is minimally intrusive to fishing operations and has the potential to document fishing effort and marine mammal interaction at a fraction of the cost of fishery observers, allowing the program to obtain higher coverage levels and more precise bycatch estimates.

While EM has been an effective method for monitoring marine mammal interaction in other gillnet fisheries, the application of EM in Southeast Alaska salmon drift gillnet fisheries has not yet been proven effective. In 2023, FMA tested a prototype EM system over the course of several weeks. The unit was installed on a single gillnet vessel and deployed during fishing operations. While installation was successful and target views were obtained, system operation at sea was unsuccessful and no image data was ultimately collected.

FMA desires to test at least two types of EM systems in 2024. The type would be a hardwired system that remains on the vessel throughout the season. The second is a more portable option that is either battery powered or directly connected to vessel power via USBc. This system will be moved from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis. The first system will limit the opportunity for user error and maximize the probability of obtaining high quality imagery while the second will help determine if weekly system movement will be feasible and to develop best practices for weekly installs/uninstalls. The AMMOP will be hugely successful if EM can be incorporated into the program by random vessel selection and deployed on many different vessels rather than a select few permit holders willing to volunteer.

FMA will assess image quality quantitatively and subjectively, and in relation to other forms of data collection. Permit holders will be given log sheets for self-reporting information related to effort, gear, fishing behavior and bycatch. In addition, if funding allows, observers will accompany a few randomly selected EM outfitted vessels to document the same information.

Fishing effort and marine mammal interaction data collected via fishery observer, via EM, and via fishers from the same trip will be compared.

Alaska’s inland southeast gillnet fisheries are expected to hold roughly 9,500 24-hour days of active fishing in 2024. Obtaining coverage levels greater than the previous program’s 7% is financially prohibitive via fishery observers, even for subdivided sections coinciding with northern and southern harbor porpoise stocks. To reach target coverage levels, it will be crucial to harness new, more cost effective technologies through the implementation of EM into the program. Rather than attempting to vet EM in tandem with sampling at high coverage levels in this first year, FMA will focus on developing methods for EM implementation first to ensure a successful program that collects the data necessary for constructing statistically reliable estimates of marine mammal bycatch in future years.

1.3 SCOPE OF WORK

Contractor shall begin field work June 16th on week 25 of 2024 out of ports near Juneau, Alaska.

Trials will be conducted out of Juneau because the areas of Stevens Passage, the Taku inlet and Lynn Canal in ADFG districts 11 and 15, experience the most gillnet participation (figure 1), and therefore have the greatest potential pool of volunteers. The Government will seek volunteer participation from 30-40 volunteer gillnetters to carry EM equipment. All fishery observer work shall end by September 1, 2024. See table 1 for weekly workload schedule.

The objectives of the 2024 EM field trials are:

1. Obtain high quality EM imagery of gillnet hauls/sets at surface water break point that documents fishing effort and potential marine mammal and seabird interaction from several vessel/mounting configurations.

2. Document and assess the quantity of EM imagery obtained.

3. Determine the feasibility of moving (installing and uninstalling) EM units from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis and develop methods for improved logistics.

4. Determine the type of EM system best suited for the target application.

5. Assess the quality of EM data in relation to other forms of data collection.

6. Gain an understanding of fishing operations in a region of Southeast Alaska that has never been monitored under the AMMOP.

Contractor shall provide fisheries and boat operator support staff, vessels, supervision, transportation, insurance and quality control necessary to collect information on fishing effort, gear, biological samples, and marine mammal and seabird interactions. Contractor shall support installs, uninstalls, and basic maintenance of electronic monitoring systems.

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

The Contractor’s performance shall be evaluated against the performance measures cited in this contract.

2.1 Program Staff Support – Fishery Observers

The Contractor shall provide and retain qualified personnel to act as fishery observers and perform sampling, data quality control checks, data submissions and equipment maintenance.

The government expects two observers to be required. Observers will be required to have served as fishery observers previously and should be familiar with gillnet fishing operations. The government will provide fishery observers with a 10-day training consisting of one week data collection training followed by one week of safety and water-based training. Technical training on EM systems will be provided by an outside contractor so that observers are capable of installing, uninstalling, and maintaining EM systems in addition to conducting fishery observer duties. Personal protection equipment will be provided by the government.

Observers will be responsible for liaison with fishers. Observers shall coordinate meet up times with fishers for EM installs at which time they will provide training on the use of EM equipment, provide fisher log sheets, and conduct an interview/questionnaire to obtain data on gear and fishing behavior. Upon return to port, observers will be responsible for uninstalling the EM equipment and conducting another interview/questionnaire and later uploading EM image data and scanning/uploading paper datasheets. Facilities and computers will be provided by NOAA Fisheries. The contractor shall follow all sample protocols.

Contractor shall be responsible for active fishery observation on EM outfitted vessels for 10-weeks from statistical week 25 through 35 (table 1). Each observer should expect to liaison with three permit holders and deploy on one trip each week. Observer trips will be a maximum of three days and not exceed 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Each observer will therefore be on active observation duties 36 hours per week maximum. Contractors shall collect standard monitoring program data from fishery observations such as:

● Marine mammal and seabird interaction

● Specimen samples

● Fishing effort – set time, haul time, harvest

● Fishing gear

● Fishing behavior

● Environmental conditions

Electronic Monitoring Equipment Documentation - Contractor shall collect proper documentation to provide a means to assess EM image quality and determine the feasibility in moving EM units from vessel to vessel on a weekly basis, such as:

● Document intended hours of EM operation vs data gaps

● Document reasons for data gaps (e.g. battery power failure, lack of engine power, power cord disconnect, device failure, incomplete install, ect…)

● Document time for each EM install and uninstall and provide cost translation

● Document intended installations that are unsuccessful and why.

● Document time spent coordinating with fishers.

● Document length of time from install to uninstall (though we will target collecting the gear at the end of each fishery, fisher may not come in to port even after the gillnet fishery closes each week – they may go crabbing or something else so we will have to wait until they come in or retrieve if a vessel/boat operator is available; we have an extra FishVue Mobile for this occasion)

● Document fisher sentiment

● Photograph gillnet vessels observed incidental to daily activities and document names and ADF&G number to build a reference library of gillnet vessel configuration to be used for future EM install plans.

2.2 Program Staff Support – Boat Operators and Boats

The small size of gillnet vessels prohibits accommodation of onboard observers. The contractor shall procure vessels and staff boat operators to provide observers with separate platforms to view the fishery. The government estimates that two boat operators and two vessels will be required. At minimum, work vessels must have a cabin to provide shelter/privacy, a 4-person capacity and be capable of navigating sometimes turbulent waters in Southeast Alaska Stevens Passage, Taku inlet and Lynn Canal.

Boat operators must be experienced captains with background operating boats for professional and/or recreational purposes throughout Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Ideally but not necessary, boat operators would have prior experience operating small vessels to support a fisheries observer program. The government will provide boat safety training which will be required of all hired boat operators and consist of a 5-day training that includes a module for nighttime operations. Vessels shall be leased for 10 weeks starting June 16th (statistical week

25) through August 31st (statistical week 35). Boat operators shall work 12 hour shifts each day of an open fishery or a maximum of three days per week. However, in the occasion in-field technical assistance is needed to resolve equipment issues, boat operators may also provide transport for additional technical staff if available.

2.3 Program Staff Support - Project Management

Contractor shall assign a Project Manager to be the focal point for communications between the Government, EM provider and fishery observers. The project manager shall provide regular updates with the Government. Contractor shall ensure observers are deployed and resolve observer related issues. Contractor is responsible for any necessary program management and staffing to ensure the deliverables are met.

4.0 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This contract includes a Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). The PRS plays an integral role in the administration of the contract.

In addition to any applicable inspection clauses or other related terms and conditions contained in the contract, the PRS shall serve as a primary tool for inspection and acceptance of services as facilitated by the Contracting

Officer’s Representative (COR). Evaluation of the Contractor’s overall performance shall be in accordance with the performance standards set forth in the PRS, and will be conducted by the COR. The PRS constitutes a material aspect of the contract and will not be changed or otherwise modified without prior written approval of the Contracting Officer.

Service Output Performance Standard Method of Surveillance Frequency Negative/ Positive Incentive

1. EM FMA will compare the Weekly Non-payment for installation and number and dates of report services that do not performance selected fishing trips with comply. Potential to the number and dates of exercise option fishing trips properly periods.

equipped.

100% of selected vessels will have Contractor provided EM systems installed (or attempted installation) and functional prior to departure of fishing trips.

2. EM system No more than 30% of Biweekly Withholding 10% of performance intended coverage shall be report monthly invoice.

lost due to user error. Potential to exercise option periods.

FMA will examine EM data completeness compared to EM schedule and fisher log sheet and perform quality checks

3. Fishery 100% of selected vessels Weekly Non-payment for observer will deploy fishery report services that do not deployment observers each day to the comply. Potential to extent defined in the exercise option requirements. periods.

FMA will compare the number and dates of selected fishing trips with the number and dates of fishing trips covered by fishery observers.

4. Fishery 95% of expected data FMA will examine Biweekly Withholding 10% of observer entry fields will be observer data, assess report monthly invoice.

performance complete, accurate and completeness and Potential to exercise clearly written. perform quality checks. option periods.

5. Deadlines are Submission of detailed FMA will coordinate As needed Poor performance met with agreed reports including field timelines and document evaluations and upon high work progress following submission dates. Corrective Action quality products guidance and instructions Plan. Potential to in the FRMD Standard exercise option Operating Procedure periods.

documents

5.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PRIVACY

This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Service contractors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all subjects and materials and may be required to sign and adhere to a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA).

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will provide necessary sample protocols to the Contractor for work required under this contract. The Contractor shall use Government furnished facilities, property, equipment and supplies on-site at NOAA’s Juneau office to upload data and datasheets. The contractor shall be issued government safety and sampling equipment, and shall be responsible for returning all Government furnished property, and equipment in good working condition, subject to normal wear and tear.

7.0 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All source code, documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this Task Order. Documents, files and other data are to be stored exclusively on Government owned equipment and at no point should be saved or archived on personal drives or devices. Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NOAA Fisheries or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the NOAA Fisheries Project Leader.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Work will be conducted primarily in the field. Data uploads may be conducted on-site at NOAA Fisheries facilities. In cases of shutdown or furlough (or in other instances which cause the Government facility to be closed), contact the COR for guidance. Work may be performed at other than the government facility on a limited basis and in coordination with the COR and Project Lead.

9.0 TRAVEL AND TRAINING

Contractors may be required to travel to one (1) of the fishery agencies or Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) for required training. Contractor shall adhere to all NOAA/NOAA Fisheries Mandates and Policies for contractors and affiliates.

● Complete all required contractor/affiliate training in a timely manner and follow all DOC, NOAA, NOAA Fisheries and AFSC safety protocols.

● Maintain an awareness of safety at all times and contribute to the maintenance of a safe working environment.

● Maintain the protection of Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information and Business Identifiable Information, both physical and electronic.

The COR may authorize additional training that is necessary for the contract and not commercially available. Should additional training be necessary, the changes to the scope will be negotiated bilaterally through contract modification. Training is generally held in Seattle or Anchorage.

10.0 TABLES AND FIGURES

Figure 1. Gillnet effort among open ADFG districts and THAs occurring in inland waters of Southeast Alaska.

Figure 2. Average gillnet permit holder activity (± 1 standard deviation) occurring in ADFG districts 11 and 15, and in the Boat Harbor THA by week.

Table 1. Sample schedule for 2024. Target sample trips per week for each EM system and configuration. Observers will accompany two randomly selected vessels each week during the first 10 weeks.

Week Start

Date Stationary

Units Mobile Units EM-Observer

Paired trips Battery-powered Vessel-powered USBc

Total

25 16-Jun 6 3 3 6 2 26 23-Jun 6 3 3 6 2 27 30-Jun 6 3 3 6 2 28 7-Jul 6 3 3 6 2 29 14-Jul 6 3 3 6 2 30 21-Jul 6 3 3 6 2 31 28-Jul 6 3 3 6 2 32 4-Aug 6 3 3 6 2 33 11-Aug 6 2 2 4 2 34 18-Aug 6 2 2 4 2 35 25-Aug 6 2 2 4 2 36 1-Sep 6 37 8-Sep 6 38 15-Sep 6 39 22-Sep 6

Total Trips 90 30 30 60 22