UPDATED_SOW_Template_-_Field_sampling_review_14_july.docx

Project Title: Review of American Samoa Field Station Sampling Background/Overview: NOAA PIRO/PIFSC collect and hold fisheries data- a substantial amount of which is confidential- for U.S. longline and purse seine fisheries active in the western and central Pacific Ocean (WCPO). These data essentially pertain to operational aspects of the U.S. longline fleets permitted in Hawaii and American Samoa (AS)—with the Magnuson Stevens Act as the primary regulatory authority for the longline fleet. The U.S. purse seine fleet operates under the South Pacific Tuna Treaty with some vessels based in American Samoa and other vessels operating in western Pacific ports (both also are encompassed under the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act). NOAA PIRO/PIFSC collect longline operational data from daily catch and effort logsheets and provide at-sea observer coverage for vessels permitted in Hawaii and AS. In AS at the key offloading port of Pago Pago, NOAA PIRO collects a variety of purse seine data elements from vessel operators including daily logsheets (RPL), unloading data (UL), species size and composition data and final out-turn (FOT) or cannery records, as well as conducting dock side monitoring of catch that includes species composition and length frequency data that align with a long established sampling protocol. The operational data collected under the SPTT is transmitted by agreement to the South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The FFA compiles some of these data while other elements are transmitted and warehoused elsewhere (see below). The dockside monitoring data are transmitted from PIRO staff working in AS to PIFSC on a recurring basis.

The provider would conduct a review of the fisheries monitoring aspects of the American Samoa Field Station “ASFS” sampling.

Objective: The goal of the procurement is to review current activities at the ASFS and make recommendations with regard to monitoring and optimization of modifications required to align ASFS sampling with wider agency and regional sampling efforts.

Tasks: Review of the American Samoa Field Station sampling program. The anticipated components are:

1) Review current activities of the ASFS, including but not limited to, Purse seine and longline monitoring and sampling. Review Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and provide recommendations on how the sampling protocols need to be modified given current agency and regional needs and the need to integrate electronic sampling techniques into current SOPs;

2) Review current longline observer placement activities;

3) Review how the ASFS interacts and integrates with the A. Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, especially with regard to responsibilities in monitoring efforts and data flow between agencies;

4) Review relationships with other regional organizations, such as the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and proximal Pacific Island countries including the Cook Islands and Independent Samoa;

5) Review the current purse seine sampling (size and species composition) and make recommendations with regard to monitoring and optimization of modifications required to align ASFS sampling with wider regional sampling efforts;

6) Review domestic and foreign longline sampling SOPs and data handling;

7) Review current sampling procedures (sub-tasks 5 and 6) and make recommendations for efficacies, especially if electronic options are now available;

8) Review U.S. purse seine data (e.g., RPL, UL. FOT) collection, input and quality control, compilation into relevant databases and required transmittals. Determine data flows wrt NOAA fisheries and regional organizations such as the FFA and SPC. Determine which are organizations are key punching what data elements and develop a rationalization program if redundancies are identified. Explore complete paperless submission options.

9) Review PIRO/PIFSC staffing at the ASFS as well as PIRO/PIFSC plans. Review staffing options and make recommendations to ensure adequate staff are available;

10) Draft an ASFS sampling document which includes Standard Operating Procedures and technical recommendations for observer deployments, monitoring and sampling;

11) Present findings to PIRO/PIFSC leadership.

PIRO/PIFSC anticipate that sub-tasks 1–4 can be a desk study that builds on a document developed for the ASFS transition from being lead and implemented by PIRO International Fisheries Division to the PIRO Observer Program (PIROP).

PIRO/PIFSC anticipate that sub-tasks 5–8 shall require a meeting of vested interests such as sub-regional fisheries agencies. The meeting could possibly occur at NOAA Fisheries in Honolulu or in AS. The provider shall incorporate travel costs for non-NOAA agencies into th e proposal, whereas PIRO/PIFSC will provide travel for NOAA staff to Honolulu or AS.

Period of Performance:

30 September 2016 to 29 September 2017 Place of Performance:

The contract shall be performed at the location of contractor’s facility. The contractor shall visit the ASFS on at least one (1) occasion per year for evaluation.

Government-Furnished Property (GFP), Security Requirements, Applicable Standards and Special Requirements: There is no Government-Furnished Property, special security requirements, special escort requirements, neither Applicable Standards nor Special Requirements.

IT/Data Security Requirements:

The contractor agrees, in the performance of this procurement, to keep the information furnished by the Government and designated by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative within the required NOAA confidentiality standards. The provider also agree not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or part, in any manner or form, nor to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in their possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a “need to know” basis. The provider agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing in the event that they determine or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

Secure Communications: The provider must verify with the government prior to transmission of information that all information designated as sensitive will meet National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Federal Information Processing FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic module(s).

The provider agrees that it will not disclose any information described in performance of this activity to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer. Whenever the provider is uncertain with regard to the proper handling of information/data under the procurement, they shall obtain a written determination from the Contracting Officer. The provider agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.

Deliverables Schedule:

PIRO International Fisheries Division POC – Dr. Valerie Chan (valerie.chan@noaa.gov) PIRO Observer Program POC – Mr. Michael Marsik (michael.marsik@noaa.gov) PIFSC International Fisheries Program POC – Mr. Keith Bigelow (keith.bigelow@noaa.gov) Evaluation Criteria:

Approach and Capabilities: Offerors will be evaluated based on their technical approach, corporate and individual qualifications to perform the work; adequacy of equipment, materials and facilities proposed; and experience with the types of services identified in the solicitation including the following:

· Knowledge of pacific region fishery data sampling protocols

· Knowledge of data requirements for the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

· Knowledge of experimental sampling design as it relates to appropriate statistical estimates

· Knowledge of longline and purse seine fisheries

· Qualifications of key personnel (All contractors assigned to this task are considered key personnel) Past Performance Price