SOW_RFQ.pdf

Statement of Work National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC)

Project: Rapid Bycatch Assessment of Sea Turtles in Southeast Asia

Background Pacific Islands Region (PIR) sea turtle populations have high connectivity to the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. The endangered distinct population segment (DPS) Central West Pacific green turtles (Chelonia mydas), western Pacific leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles migrate through and forage in these coastal waters. These waters also host significant coastal fishing effort with coastal fishers numbering in the millions and fishing vessels numbers in the hundreds of thousands. High rates of sea turtle interactions and mortality often occur in such coastal fisheries. However, global assessments of sea turtle bycatch highlight significant gaps in data from Southeast Asian (Philippines in particular) small-scale fisheries.

Objectives To improve the accuracy of sea turtle population assessments in the Pacific Islands Region, it is necessary to quantify the bycatch and mortality rates associated with coastal fisheries in Southeast Asian waters. These assessments are important as sea turtle interactions in US-managed fisheries constrains commercial US fishing activities and is a factor that drives US fishery management policy. In addition, the conservation and recovery of these sea turtle populations depends on characterizing threats and addressing the take of sea turtles within this region.

Coastal fisheries in the Philippines are of particular concern as there are an estimated two million registered fishers, and nearly 250,000 registered small-scale vessels.

Tasks The contractor will work closely with the NOAA’s Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) to characterize sea turtle bycatch through updating Rapid Bycatch Assessment toolkits, the analysis of generated Rapid Bycatch Assessment (RBA) data, and the development of bycatch mitigation research in Southeast Asian fisheries (with a focus in the Philippines). This work will help identify key decision points for bycatch assessment and bycatch mitigation as well as the development of recommendations for future steps for data collection for small scale fisheries in the region and the application of already-collected data toward bycatch mitigation work.

Specifically, the contractor will provide the following services:

• Summarize and map out analysis for current RBA datasets from the Philippines

• Review and update the current Rapid Bycatch Assessment (RBA) protocol

• Data and research gap analysis based on existing RBA data

• Identify and outline different components or modules for further RBA assessment and application work, allowing for tailored use of these modules by partners in the Western Pacific and Philippines as well as by other organizations interested in RBA work

• Provide training (online) to partners for conducting RBAs, organizing, and initial analysis of

RBAs.

• Outline a framework for work pathways for the coming next 3 years, including considerations for different options.

• Participate in monthly video calls providing input into RBA protocols, analysis, and planning.

Deliverables The contractor will provide deliverables according to the schedule shown below.

Date Deliverable Activities

August 1, 2023 Start of Contract January 31, 2024 An Initial assessment (6 month) report of RBAs conducted

• Summary and overview of current RBA datasets in the Philippines

• Formulation of plan for analysis of existing RBA datasets in the Philippines

• Written Methodology of ongoing analysis and results

• Identification of key information and actions needed for moving toward bycatch mitigation

August 1, 2024 A mid-contract (12 month) report reviewing these activity targets:

• Summary and overview of current RBA datasets in the

Philippines

• Initial Analysis of current RBA datasets in the Philippines

• Written Methodology of ongoing analysis and results

• Identification of key information and actions needed for moving toward bycatch mitigation

• Tailoring and implementation of updated RBA methodologies

(including data collection, entry, and analysis)

• Modules and training resources for RBA data collection

• Decision tree for a suite of goals related to bycatch mitigation, with a framework for assessing pathways to these goals

• Recommended improvements to the project’s collaborative practices

Jan 31, 2025 A final report (18 Month) reviewing these activity targets:

• Summary and overview of current RBA datasets in the Philippines

• Final Analysis of current RBA datasets in the Philippines

• Detailed Methodology of analysis and results

• Identification of key information and actions needed for moving toward bycatch mitigation

• Tailoring and implementation of updated RBA methodologies

(including data collection, entry, and analysis)

• Modules and training resources for RBA data collection

• Decision tree for a suite of goals related to bycatch mitigation, with a framework for assessing pathways to these goals

Qualifications The proposed contractor must have experience in the following:

o Philippine small scale fisheries, bycatch research o rapid bycatch assessment techniques, o navigating provincial level governmental jurisdictions (Palawan, Philippines) o bycatch data analysis and synthesis, and o 10-15 years of fisheries experience

Post-Award Conference The Contractor shall attend a Post Award Conference (i.e., “kickoff” meeting) with the project team no later than 30 days after the award. The purpose of the Post Award Conference, which will be chaired by the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC), to discuss technical and contracting objectives of this contract and review the Contractor's draft project plan. The Post Award Conference will be held via teleconference.

Confidentiality and Data Privacy This contract may require that services contractors have access to Privacy Information. Services contractors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all subjects and materials and may be required to sign and adhere to a Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA).

Intellectual Property Rights All deliverables are the property of the U.S. Government. All documents, analyses, files (digital or other), reports, notes and photos are to be used only by Contractor personnel assigned to this purchase order. Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NMFS or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the NMFS Project Lead.

Government Furnished Resources The Government will provide all necessary information, data, and documents to the Contractor for work required under this contract.

Operational Hours Work performed will not exceed 40 hours per week.

Place of Performance Work will be conducted at other than the government facility (i.e. off-site)

Travel Travel is not anticipated. Work can be performed remotely from the United States. The contractor may travel to the Philippines at the contractor’s expense.

Period of Performance August 1, 2023 to January 31, 2025 (18-month period)