ATTACHMENT_1_-_SOWs.docx

ATTACHMENT 1 –

STATEMENTS OF WORK (SOW)

1.1 – Sustainabile and Healthy Communities Team Position

1.2 – Safe and Sustainable Water Research (SSWR) Program Position

1.3 – Administrative/Scientific Database Position

1.4 – Business/Scientific Administration

1.1 – Sustainabile and Healthy Communities Team Position

The student contractor shall provide support and be trained by a multidisciplinary team focused on comparing the sustainability of multiple communities across the US including comparisons of ecosystem goods and services production and valuation. This research will be centered in coastal communities of the Gulf of Mexico and Puerto Rico but will also include collaborations with similar work in other regions of the US. Topics will include links between community actions (e.g., landscape development, habitat restoration, economic development), ecological impacts, and impacts on human health and wellbeing. The student contractor may work closely with GIS analysts, landscape ecologists, quantitative modelers, and community focused tool developers to connect ecosystem goods and service production to beneficiaries with multiple network-based tools. The student contractor may also work with wetland biogeochemists, microbiologists, fishery scientists, and toxicologists to refine ecological production functions and assist with field data collection and laboratory analysis. The student contractor may become involved in developing scientifically based outreach products aimed at informing various audiences about sustainability research.

Project Description The National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) are responsible for conducting studies of the effects of environmental stressors on ecosystems and human health. Communities and regions need to consider the production and value of ecosystem goods and services in decisions related to the sustainable protection of human health and the environment.

Ecosystem goods and services are “Outputs of ecological functions or processes that directly or indirectly contribute to social welfare or have the potential to do so in the future”. This project focuses on developing ecosystem goods and service-related data and tools across multiple communities with a focus on comparison among communities to find transferable solutions to commonly-faced sustainability problems. The development of quantitatively linked ecological production functions and benefit functions is critical for assessing tradeoffs of development, restoration or preservation of local ecosystems during sustainability-focused decision-making.

Description of Student Services Responsibilities associated with this position may include, but will not be limited to: 1) Linking outputs from literature surveys, valuation studies, and dynamic modeling to decision support tools, 2) Compiling and summarizing analytical data and literature references, 3) Preparing geospatial data for analysis, 4) Webpage programming in XML, 5) Geospatial visualization, 6) Database management, 7) Writing reports and scientific manuscripts, and 8) Intermittent laboratory analysis and field sampling activities (Field work may include working in hot, humid, and densely vegetated wetland environments with possibility for overnight travel),.

The student contractor shall perform duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor. Where appropriate, the student will maintain careful and accurate records in designated laboratory notebooks. These notebooks, and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the Environmental Protection Agency. The student contractor may also be required to participate in conferences in support of the requirements of the Statement of Work.

Monitoring and maintaining experiments and organisms may require student contractors to work some weekends and government holidays. All work outside of normal business hours will be requested directly by the COR or Mentor with COR approval.

Required Expertise, Skills, Education and/or Experience The student contractor must have completed a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in biology, ecology, mathematics, statistics, computer sciences, or related field. The preferred candidate shall have training/or experience in GIS data analysis; webpage design in XML; data analysis in spreadsheets; modeling; or implementation and/or development of computational routines (R, python, C++, or similar). The student shall know basic laboratory safety requirements and procedures and will be given additional safety training.

Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Richard Fulford, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities, at Fulford.richard@epa.gov.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR SOW 1.1

1. Total course hours in biology, ecology, mathematics, statistics, environmental science, or social science.

2. Total course hours in GIS systems, computer programming, web-based programming, database support, or related field.

3. Total work/volunteer hours in biology, ecology, mathematics, statistics, environmental science, or social science.

4. Total work volunteer hours in GIS systems, computer programming, web-based programming, database support, or related field

5. Undergraduate GPA

1.2 – Safe and Sustainable Water Research (SSWR) Program Position

The student contractor shall work with EPA scientists under the Safe and Sustainable Water Research (SSWR) Program. SSWR provides the science and innovative technologies that the Agency and the nation need to maintain drinking water resources and systems, as well as to protect the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. This project will support the availability of the clean, adequate, and equitable water supplies necessary for human well-being and resilient coastal aquatic ecosystems.

Project Description Under authority of the Clean Water Act (CWA), the EPA is committed to protecting the biological integrity of the nation’s waters, including marine coastal habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs. The CWA authorizes EPA to determine “appropriate minimum levels” of protection and to provide oversight to States, which are required to establish water quality standards that define the goals (designated uses) and pollution limits (water quality criteria) for all waters within their jurisdictions. States are required to monitor conditions regularly and submit biannual reports summarizing water quality assessments. Impaired water bodies do not meet the minimum water quality criteria and trigger a series of management actions to determine the cause of impairment and to restore the condition of the waterbody and its resident biota.

Biological integrity is a long-term objective of the CWA, and water quality standards and criteria can be defined to protect valued aquatic resources, such as coral reef ecosystems. Biological standards (biocriteria) set biological quality goals. This research will construct a biological condition gradient (BCG) framework to protect the biological integrity of coral reef in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean. The BCG conceptual model describes how the biological condition of a coral reef changes along a gradient of increasing anthropogenic stress (e.g., physical, chemical and biological impacts). The research will define the model by identifying the types, threshold levels and change of biological attributes at the ecosystem, community, species and organism levels of structure and function. The model will include narrative and quantitative criteria for decreasing levels of biological condition on coral reefs.

Description of Student Services The student will receive training to provide the technical resources and expertise needed to compile information, contribute to research products and meet milestones and project objectives. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: 1) constructing databases from primary and secondary data sources (visual media, electronic media and downloadable databases) for condition metrics and stressors on reef coral species and fish for developing the BCG quantitative model from environmental and ecological data, activities include obtaining, organizing, and QA of data; 2) using various software for formatting, normalizing, cross-walking, and managing data bases to standardize for use in mathematical and statistical modeling; 3) Compiling, organizing, and summarizing literature references on coral reef species sensitivity and tolerance to anthropogenic stressor database (e.g., Endnotes and MS Access); 4) make simple maps with data layers of condition and stressor responses to temporal and spatial changes; 5) evaluating, calibrating and validating the data-driven conceptual model using advance mathematical and/or statistical techniques; and 6) quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) of database, statistics, metrics, or other project outputs, and7) contributing to reports and scientific manuscripts by developing graphics, GIS products, and written text as directed by PI.

Required Expertise, Skills, Education and/or Experience The student shall have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree in ecology, biology, environmental sciences, statistics or related field. The preferred student shall have training and/or experience in advanced biological and ecological principles, statistical and mathematical procedures (e.g., regression methods, principal components analyses and structural or mechanistic modeling techniques), and be proficient in: database/data repository development and management; and computer-based statistical package(s) (e.g., SAS, SPSS, R).

Individual with programming experience, especially in R (SAS good but not required) is desirable with statistical experience. Demonstrated proficiency in data management, data analyses, QA/QC, graphics preparation, basic GIS map skills and ability to extract key biological, ecological and toxicological information with guidance from PI is highly preferred.

Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Deborah Santavy, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities, at santavy.debbie@epa.gov.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR SOW 1.2

1. Total MONTHS of relevant employment or volunteer services with experience related to contract specialty working with: environmental data management, bibliographic research, geospatial data, and evaluating ecological conditions.

2. Total CREDIT HOURS of study in course work directly related to the contract specialty (ecology, biology, environmental science, statistics, biology, or closely related field.).

3. Total MONTHS of experience working with databases, data management, literature research, statistical procedures and software (R, SAS, SPSS), numeric and bibliographic database management software (MS Excel, MS Access, EndNotes, RefManager), GIS programs (ARCGIS) or other relevant skills related to the contract specialty.

4. GRADE POINT AVERAGE in course work directly related to the contract specialty referenced in Evaluation Factor #2.

1.3 – Administrative/Scientific Database Position

Project Description The Gulf Ecology Division (GED) is one of four ecological effects divisions of the Office of Research and Development’s National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory.

The Gulf Ecology Division’s mission is to conduct ecological effects research to assess sustainability of estuarine and coastal systems, determine factors causing impacts to degraded or declining systems, predict future risks to populations and ecosystems, and support development of criteria to protect ecosystems near the Gulf of Mexico. This organization offers training opportunities in a wide variety of activities related to business/scientific administration.

Description of Student Services The student will receive hands-on administrative/scientific database experience.

Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to: 1) Receiving, monitoring, and coordinating incoming administrative support requests; determining from instructions and guidelines those that should be personally addressed; 2) Developing, managing, and maintain systems and databases to track administrative and scientific research; 3) Develops procedures to maintain the data current and accurate; and utilizes automated systems to enter, search, edit and extract data and information; 4) Developing briefing and presentation materials, prepares spreadsheets, charts, and narrative information for management as well as scientists; 5) Performing miscellaneous activities, when requested. The student contractor may be expected to participate in conferences or seminars in support of the Statement of Work.

The student shall have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree in business, biology, social sciences, computer sciences, or related field. The preferred student shall have training and/or experience in MS Word, MS Excell, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, MS Access, and EndNote X7.

Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Matthew Harwell, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities, at Harwell.matthew@epa.gov.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR SOW 1.3

1. Total undergraduate and graduate course hours in math and science

2. Total undergraduate and graduate course hours in English, mass communications, program organization/management, database support, or related field

3. Total work/volunteer hours in biology, environmental science, ecology, or related field

4. Total work/volunteer hours involving program organization/management, database support, or related field

5. Undergraduate GPA

1.4 – Business/Scientific Administration

Project Description The Gulf Ecology Division (GED) is one of four ecological effects divisions of the Office of Research and Development’s National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory.

The Gulf Ecology Division’s mission is to conduct ecological effects research to assess sustainability of estuarine and coastal systems, determine factors causing impacts to degraded or declining systems, predict future risks to populations and ecosystems, and support development of criteria to protect ecosystems near the Gulf of Mexico. This organization offers training opportunities in a wide variety of activities related to business/scientific administration.

Description of Student Services The student will receive hands-on administrative/scientific experience in support of a variety of special assignments and projects preparing power point presentations, literature and web searches, coordination with staffing on schedules, and a variety of activities involving internal and external communications for the Community Based Final Ecosystem Goods and Services Project within the Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) Research Program of EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to: 1) Information research in various sources for current information on a variety of topics associated with ecosystem services research; 2) Developing power point presentations; 3) Identifying scientific achievements and activities for communication to various audiences; 4) Provide assistance in writing and editing science articles and other communications materials including fact sheets, blogs, and talking points; 5) Provide assistance in supporting Web site development and maintenance by providing content and updates; 6) Provide assistance and coordination for SHC webinars that feature internal and external presentations for a broad audience of SHC participants. The student contractor may be expected to participate in conferences, workshops or seminars in support of the Statement of Work. The position requires someone with excellent written and oral communication skills as well as someone who is organized and is a self-starter, with project management skills.

The student shall have completed a B.S. or B.A. degree in business, biology, social sciences, computer sciences, or related field. Academic coursework should include any science, preferably a mix of environmental sciences or sustainability-related curricula, with some communications background (e.g. journalism, communications, or English). The preferred student shall have training and/or experience in MS Word, MS Excell, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook, MS Access, and EndNote X7. Ability to work with a team is essential.

Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Matthew Harwell, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities, at Harwell.matthew@epa.gov.

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR SOW 1.4

1. Total undergraduate and graduate course hours in math and science

2. Total undergraduate and graduate course hours in English, mass communications, in print and web-based communications, database support, or related field

3. Total work/volunteer hours in biology, environmental science, ecology, or related field

4. Total work/volunteer hours in mass communications, print and web-based communications, database support, or related field

5. Undergraduate GPA