RFI NF-FM7320-22-01748 - MA-RIMA WEA Protected Species Aerial Surveys.pdf

RFI #NF‐FM7320‐22‐01748 ‐ MA‐RIMA WEA Protected Species Aerial Surveys

Request for Information National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Massachusetts and Rhode Island Wind Energy Areas (MA‐RIMA WEA) Protected Species Aerial Surveys

Submission deadline: 11 May 2022 Proposed Period of Performance: 01 August 2022 – 31 July 2027

(Base + four 12 month options)

This request for information is issued to identify potential sources for the upcoming MA‐RIMA WEA Aerial Survey contract, to determine the capabilities of the vendor pool and anticipated competition.

The information provided will be used to inform potential acquisition strategies and to support a determination about whether or not to set‐aside the acquisition. This is an RFI only and is not a solicitation for a contract or grant award. It is not a request for proposals, and it does not obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. This RFI does not obligate the government to reimburse any costs associated with the preparation and/or submission of this information. Nor does this RFI guarantee that the government will issue a request for proposal or award a contract for supplies or services.

Project Summary – The contractor shall provide all equipment, material, trained labor, supervision, transportation, permits, insurance, and quality control necessary to describe species abundance and distribution patterns in the region of the MA/RIMA WEAs. Contractor shall be fully knowledgeable of all contract requirements and shall ensure work is accomplished in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract in a manner that will promote and maintain a safe environment. The Government requires 3 months of aerial surveys during the period of performance which consist of the following tasks:

Task One ‐ Right whale aerial surveys

Task Two ‐ Right whale identification

Task Three ‐ Line transect surveys

Task Four ‐ Automated vertical photography

Summary of Deliverables –

1. Large whale and sea turtle surveys

2. Daily summary report

3. NARW sighting report

4. QA/QC survey data

5. Final survey report

Information Requested –

1. Capability statement – Please provide a capability statement that shows your firm’s capability to perform the services described below. Please include a description of your firm’s expertise and resources which would be applied to this project, including:

a) Condensed aerial surveys in areas used by aggregations of right whales to better determine demographic, distribution, and residency patterns in the survey area

b) Real‐time reporting of whale sightings, as well as mapping and summary reporting of aerial surveys conducted and results collected

RFI #NF‐FM7320‐22‐01748 ‐ MA‐RIMA WEA Protected Species Aerial Surveys

c) Photographing and identification of right whales (both differentiation from other species, as well as identification of specific individuals), following methods described by Kraus et al.

(1986)

d) Processing photographic sighting data for submission into the DIGITS (Digital Image Gathering and Information Tracking System) data management program curated by the New England Aquarium (NEAq) (Hamilton et al., 2007).

e) Collecting line‐transect sightings from broad‐scale surveys that can be used to map the distribution of large whales and turtles, conforming to the research protocols followed by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC)and NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).

f) Collecting data from automated vertical photography to capture sea turtles, smaller cryptic species (e.g., harbor porpoise, sharks, and fish), and fixed fishing gear during the line transect surveys.

g) Analyzing data collected through the methods described above

Please limit this section to 2 pages.

2. Sample Experience – Please include brief description of up to 3 projects of similar size, scope, and complexity to the services described herein which demonstrate your capability as relates to this project. Please include a summary of the work completed, the dollar value, and period of performance.

Please limit this section to 1 page.

3. Company information and points of contact – Name, address, business size, CAGE code, and point of contact email.

Previous Contract Information ‐ Incumbent Contractor: New England Aquarium Corporation Contract Number: 1305M218PNFFM0108 Award Value: $2,185,138.64

Government Point of Contact – Joseph Hetrick, Contracting Officer: joseph.hetrick@noaa.gov