RFI_Request.pdf

Request for Information/Sources Sought

44013416-BEHAVIORAL RESPONSE WORKSHOP

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK

INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on behalf of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has a need to better understand any potential impacts to the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from offshore development. Leveraging the work recently completed from another BOEM study that developed a bioenergetics model based on the population consequences of multiple stressors (PCoMS) framework applied to North Atlantic right whales, a continuation into the investigation of the biological parameters developed by that model can now be completed. An essential element of the PCoMS study was the development of parameters for a biological model used to calculate the energetic consequences of behavioral disturbances on individuals in the population. An expert elicitation workshop needs to be conducted to improve behavioral response curves and parameters of other assumptions in the model that direct the energetic calculations resulting from human-induced stressors applied to the model. This information in turn will aid in understanding the effect of human activity in the ocean and inform environmental analyses under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and National Environmental Policy Act.

Disturbance to wildlife populations can have impacts to individuals that range from minor, non-lethal disturbances to those of higher magnitude that could result in potentially population-level consequences on marine mammals. In 2022, an online expert elicitation was carried out under BOEM contract 140M0121C0008 to estimate a dose-response function for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales exposed to pile-driving noise during marine construction activities. The behavioral response function quantifies the probability that an individual right whale will cease foraging for the duration of piling activities was applied to bioenergetics model developed under this contract. These behavioral response assumptions drive the energetic consequence calculations of the bioenergetics model. However, the elicitation that resulted in the development of this function highlighted information gaps in our understanding of the behavioral responses of right whales and other baleen whales to impulsive noise sources. Although much of this uncertainty is driven by a lack of empirical data for right whales, the elicited dose-response function may be improved through expert opinion on certain model parameters, including but not limited to:

• Response scenarios for foraging disturbance based on offshore scenarios of human activity,

• The response of an individual to underwater noise during different behavioral states regardless of where on the behavioral response curve exposure occurs,

• Differences in behavioral response between different age classes or health condition,

• Changes in behavioral response over time, number of exposures, or experience with a sound source, and

• Other factors identified in coordination with BOEM.

A follow-up elicitation would be conducted to address these limitations and produce a revised dose-response function that better reflects the complexities of right whale behavior and the range of scientific opinions on their sensitivity to noise. A combination virtual and in-person elicitation should be conducted over multiple sessions to provide experts ample time for deliberation and development of the dose-response function. The revised function should be able to be readily integrated into the existing BOEM bioenergetics model to expand on previous BOEM funding investment.

SOURCES SOUGHT INFORMATION

BOEM/BSEE is issuing this RFI as part of market research in accordance with federal acquisition regulation (FAR) Part 10 to determine the availability and technical capability of sources to plan, execute, and facilitate an expert elicitation workshop on a review of behavioral responses and other key parameters for North Atlantic right whales that will then be used to update the bioenergetics model for use by federal agencies, energy developers, and other stakeholders

This Request for Information / Sources Sought Synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Quote (RFQ), or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and it should not be construed as a commitment of any kind by the Government to issue a formal solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

The U.S. Government is in no way liable to pay for or reimburse any companies or entities that respond to this announcement. Any costs incurred by interested vendors in response to this announcement or incurred for participation in this market survey will NOT be reimbursed. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-Government personnel and entities. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME.

Restricted or proprietary components, interfaces and equipment, or proprietary data provided should be clearly marked and presented as an addendum to the non-restricted/non-proprietary information. In the absence of such identification BOEM/BSEE will assume to have unlimited rights to all the technical data in the information paper.

BSEE/BOEM is seeking information from vendors that have the capability of performing the work described below in the Scope and Tasks.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Contractor shall plan and execute an expert elicitation through a planned workshop series of invited subject matter experts, virtually, hybrid, or in-person), and provide a workshop report to BOEM on the expert elicitation conducted for North Atlantic right whales. The workshop shall consider the latest information on right whales, underwater noise and hearing, energetics, and behavioral responses of marine mammals. The workshops will be coordinated and held cooperatively with BOEM with cooperation from NOAA Fisheries.

TASKS:

The information provided by the workshop shall be provided to BOEM and curated to capture the best available biological and predictive data for use in describing the effects of offshore development on North Atlantic right whales.

Task 1: Project Management and Coordination:

The Contractor shall prepare a Project Management Plan (PMP) for the workshops and deliverables. The Contractor shall adhere to and operate under the PMP as approved. The Contractor shall follow a PMP for this study that shall include a Project Manager (PM) with sufficient authority to serve as the Contract Administrator, the point of contact with the Government, and provide leadership to the project Team. The PM shall ultimately be responsible for all deliverables, budget control, quality assurance for all products, compliance and adherence with schedule of the study, and that all personnel work synergistically and cooperatively for the common goal of the study.

Specific Tasks:

Post-Award Planning Meeting and Summary: The Contractor shall attend a Post-Award Planning Meeting and submit a Summary following the meeting

Project Management Plan: The Contractor shall submit a draft PMP for BOEM review and acceptance for planning of the workshop.

Quarterly Progress Reports: The Contractor shall submit quarterly progress reports.

Bioenergetics Model Update: The contractor shall work with BOEM to update the existing bioenergetics model developed for North Atlantic right whales.

Final Report: The Contractor shall provide a summary of all work completed during the period of performance including stakeholder engagement, the development of online tools and resources, changes in operation, problems encountered and new or existing datasets that were added or updated.

Task 2: Plan and Facilitate the Workshop:

The Contractor shall plan and facilitate virtual workshops, including up to one in-person workshop, on the behavioral response of North Atlantic right whales to underwater noise. The contractor will engage in communication and engagement with BOEM and invited experts. The Contractor will convene subject matter experts from different disciplines to participate in the workshop and expert elicitation. Meetings and workshops may be hosted as required. Outreach and engagement shall involve at a minimum the experts that participated in the previous expert elicitation conducted for the North Atlantic right whale PCoMS study, BOEM, and NOAA.

Specific Tasks:

The Contractor shall coordinate with BOEM to prepare a workshop agenda.

Identified subject matter experts and representatives from BOEM and NOAA shall be invited to participate in the workshop. The contractor will work cooperatively with BOEM to identify workshop participants.

Prepare materials and resources to be used as pre-reads, or to be used at the workshop.

The BOEM MS Teams platform may be used to call in workshop participants for virtual workshops.

Project Management Plan: The Contractor shall submit a draft PMP for BOEM review and acceptance for planning of the workshop.

Quarterly Progress Reports: The Contractor shall submit quarterly progress reports.

Final Report: The Contractor shall provide a summary of all work completed during the period of performance including stakeholder engagement, the development of online tools and resources, changes in operation, problems encountered and new or existing datasets that were added or updated.

Task 3: Prepare a Workshop Summary and Debrief with BOEM and NOAA The Contractor shall prepare a workshop summary of major outcomes. The Contractor will hold a post-workshop summary within 2 weeks of the workshop completion to present the major outcomes and debrief with BOEM.

Task 4: Update the Bioenergetics Model The Contractor shall work with BOEM to update the existing bioenergetics model developed for North Atlantic right whales.

Task 5: Prepare a Final Report:

The Contractor shall prepare a draft and final written report detailing the workshop proceedings, including the purpose, objectives, deliberations, and outcomes of the workshops.

MEETINGS, REPORTS AND OTHER DELIVERABLES:

The following deliverables shall be submitted, and meetings held in accordance with the schedules specified in Section 3.4. The Contractor is responsible for editing and proofreading all material in order to submit products of superior quality to the BOEM.

Post-Award Planning Meeting and Summary:

The Contractor shall attend a Post-Award Planning Meeting as soon as possible after contract award but no later than one (1) month after award via webinar, no travel shall be incurred for this meeting.

The Contractor shall provide an Agenda and their Project Management Plan one (1) week before the meeting. The Contractor shall present the Project Management Plan including the purpose of the project, the scope, roles and responsibilities of the project team, the deliverables, the risks, the assumptions, the planned effort, and the deadline. Within one (1) week following the meeting, the Contractor shall submit a summary of the meeting including any agreements made and a revised Project Management Plan, if applicable. No changes to the terms or conditions are authorized unless approved in writing by the Contracting Officer via a modification to the contract.

Quarterly Progress Reports:

The Contractor shall submit Quarterly (every third month) Progress Reports on the 1st of the month the report is due. The progress reports shall include the following:

• A summary of all work performed during the preceding two months and overall progress made against the schedule.

• A summary of significant technical, schedule, or cost problems encountered during the preceding two months, including an assessment of their probable effects on meeting contract terms and conditions.

• A summary of any resolutions agreed to between Contractor and BOEM regarding these problems.

• A list of all significant meetings held, or other contacts made in connection with the contract during the preceding two months, including a brief summary of the participants and subject, date, location, and outcome of each such contact or meeting.

Final Report:

The Contractor shall submit a Final Report detailing the workshop including relevant information discussed at the workshop, PowerPoint presentations, and any products resulting from the results of the expert elicitation on behavioral responses of North Atlantic right whales to underwater sound. All final deliverables must be compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Responses must be identified by RFI No. DOIMFBO250006 and the following information should be included in a cover letter to your response:

1. Company name

2. SAM.gov UEI number

3. Mailing address

4. E-mail address

5. Telephone number

6. Web site address (if available)

7. Business Size and Eligibility under U.S. Government socio-economic programs (i.e., type of business - large, small, small-disadvantaged, Woman-owned, veteran-owned, or 8(a)) under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code associated with the project.

8. Confirm if your company is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

9. Any established pricing catalogs, rough of magnitudes or additional pricing information an interested party is willing to share regarding their products. This information would be for market research information only.

10. NAICS code recommendations for this scope (if any)

There is no page limit to the response. Responses should be submitted to bradford.kelly@bsee.gov.

Based upon responses received, BSEE & BOEM representatives may choose to meet (virtually) with potential vendors and hold one-on-one exchanges. Such exchanges will be considered further Market Research intended to obtain clarifications of potential capability and/or experience to assist BSEE/BOEM in defining and developing its requirements. While a response to this RFI is not mandatory, the likelihood of engaging in one-on-one exchanges increases the likelihood of engaging these market research efforts with interested parties. Any participation in these efforts will not be reimbursed.

mailto:Responses%20should%20be%20submitted%20to%20bradford.kelly@bsee.gov.