RFI 2025-176 Amend#1 QA.pdf

Page 1 of 2 Solicitation RFI 2025-175

Amendment #1

RFI 2025-175

Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery for the 2025 – 2027 State Biennium

Amendment 1

Vendor Questions & Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) Answers February 3, 2025

1 Question: My team is running a research project on the Samish River in Puget Sound, focused on comparing various methods of estimating how many adult salmonids return to the river each year.

We’re comparing redd counts, mark recapture, and SONAR, which is becoming more widely used by

WDFW around the state. We were able to secure an older camera to use last year but have realized that it is not the ideal piece of equipment. We are interested in purchasing an updated camera to put this project on the same footing as other SONAR projects in the state. The rest of this project is fully funded; we’re only looking for one-time funding to purchase this piece of equipment that could be utilized for years into the future. The goals of this research project are to help improve the accuracy and precision of all salmonid escapement estimates in Puget Sound (ultimately).

Given all that information, do you have any suggestions of which RFIs would be most appropriate for this request, or should I submit it under multiple RFIs?

PSP Answer: As you correctly identify out in your email, your project focus could be aligned with information needs in any of the three RFIs: Salmon Science Investigations, Monitoring to Accelerate

Recovery, or Puget Sound Scientific Research. You are welcome to submit your proposal to any or all these RFIs. It might be helpful to review the past successful awarded projects for each RFI, available at this website. Please note that Salmon Science Investigations are seeking projects with regional relevance. Strong proposals will clearly explain the regional significance of the anticipated results (i.e., how the approach, tools, products, or outcomes can be applied to multiple locations or salmon populations in Puget Sound or how results from the study can inform recovery efforts at the regional scale). It might also be helpful to connect with the Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery in the project area as the project may also benefit from funding available at the local scale.

2 Question: I am curious if the Salmon Science or Ecosystem RFI funds work that takes place on the outer coast into the west end of the Straits of Juan de Fuca? This work would be focused on Spring

Chinook recovery and the spatial area goes into the Straits to the Lyre River and also includes the complete outer coast.

PSP Answer: First, the geographical scope for all projects for the Salmon Science Investigations RFI is restricted to the Puget Sound and surrounding watersheds. “Puget Sound” means the Puget Sound and related inland marine waters, including all salt waters of the state of Washington inside the international boundary line between Washington and British Columbia, and lying east of the junction of the Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the rivers and streams draining to Puget Sound as mapped by water resource inventory areas 1 through 19 in WAC 173-500-040 as it exists on July 1, 2007 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=90.71.010). Offshore and marine studies focused on Puget Sound salmon stocks are also eligible. Projects involving salmon stocks outside of the Puget

Sound will not be considered.

3 Question: I am curious if you have an eta for announcing the third RFI surrounding ecosystem science?

PSP Answer: The Monitoring to Accelerate Recovery RFI was announced on January 13, 2025. The

Puget Sound Scientific Research RFI will be announced in early February.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.psp.wa.gov%2Fscience-funded-projects.php&data=05%7C02%7Cshannon.sanders%40psp.wa.gov%7C93d023337a9240caa83d08dd34c0bcf0%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C638724724581079800%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DELa2Z9vtb5jA62NbERQs6y%2BItgQMjanxT9RmurU6%2FI%3D&reserved=0 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=90.71.010

Page 2 of 2 Solicitation RFI 2025-175

Amendment #1

4 Question: I was wondering whether there is a potential opportunity with the MAR RFI announcement to submit a proposal focused on updating the HWB Vital Signs and Indicators. I understand this is a relatively near-term objective for the Partnership but that it was unlikely that work would commence this year. I would be excited to submit a proposal with my thoughts on the topic but I wasn’t sure whether I would be eligible to submit a proposal given the related scope of my current contract with the Partnership. Can you advise on whether that would be appropriate or present a conflict of interest?

PSP Answer: It would not be considered a conflict of interest to respond to the MAR RFI. In this particular instance since you have an ongoing contract with the Partnership, it’s recommended that a potential proposal clarifies how it (builds from and) does not duplicate other efforts, including other work funded by the Partnership.

5 Question: Does this funding have the potential to be affected by the federal freezes on funding?

PSP Answer: Yes, funding reductions or long-term pauses might affect the amount of money and number of projects the Partnership could fund through this solicitation. We have issued the solicitation and are asking for responses with the understanding that the agency will receive federal and state funding for 2025-2027 consistent with levels received in recent biennia. We will communicate with respondents about changes in the agency’s funding situation as necessary.

6 Question: Can this grant be used to cover field-based data collection that addresses the Vital Sign indicators listed in appendix A?

PSP Answer: Category 1 projects are limited to the indicators and the products needed as listed in

Appendix A. In some cases, Category 1 projects may support field-based data collection efforts if the outcomes are directly tied to the product types needed.