statement-of-objectives-w9126g-15-2-rfp-00003.docx

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

for

NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas

1.0 PURPOSE

The purpose of Atlas 14 is to determine annual exceedance probabilities (AEP) and average recurrence intervals (ARI) for precipitation durations ranging from 5 minutes to 60 days and for ARIs from 1 to 1,000 years. After researching historical precipitation data, point estimates of AEPs and ARIs will be developed and spatially interpolated to a spatial resolution of approximately 4km x 4 km. The study results will be published as a volume of NOAA Atlas 14, a wholly web based publication available online through NOAA. The NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will include the artifacts provided in previous Volumes, including access through the Precipitation Frequency Data Server, base grids in standard formats, electronic copies of maps, results of trend analyses, charts of seasonal distributions and probabilistic temporal distributions, and detailed documentation. NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will assist USACE in developing hydrologic studies with the best available precipitation frequency data and support USACE’s Flood Risk Management mission. Various state agencies, such as TXDOT (Texas Department of Transportation), will use the precipitation frequency estimates acquired in this study to assist in the design of highways, culverts, bridges, and parking lots. The precipitation frequency data may also be used to design storm water-runoff facilities, to estimate the volume of detentions basins and size detention-basin outlet structures. The precipitation frequency data provided in Atlas 14 will provide a public benefit in the form of more accurately designed drainage for roads and highways, providing safety when travelling across the state. Increasing the accuracy of the design of flood-risk management structures and forecasts by USACE and other state agencies also provides safety benefits to the public.

1.2 In agreement with the above stated purpose, the recipient/cooperator agrees to provide the necessary personnel, research, and data required to produce the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas and all related online data sets.

2.0 AUTHORITY

2.1 In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), all projects must carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation, instead of acquiring goods or services for the exclusive direct benefit of the United States Government. Examples of carrying out a public purpose may include, but are not limited to, the following:

High Resolution grids of precipitation frequency and durations estimates created for the NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will be delivered to the general public through an Internet map server.

Analyses of the historical frequency of heavy rainfall events are of importance to engineers and scientists involved in designing and operating infrastructure such as:

· Bridges and culverts for transportation infrastructure

· Flood plain mapping including base flood elevations (BFE)

· Reservoirs

· Power facilities

· Water supply infrastructure

· Any other infrastructure or human habitations located along rivers and creeks

2.2 In accordance with section 6305 – Using cooperative agreements of the Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq.), substantial involvement is expected between the Department of Defense and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement.

The Federal Government further agrees to provide substantial involvement to include, but are not limited to, the following:

NOAA’s Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center (HDSC), in coordination with the Fort Worth District Water Management Branch, will provide Technical Review of the precipitation frequency analysis. NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will be approved by the director of the HDSC before being published. HDSC employees, when available, may assist in performing a portion of the precipitation frequency analysis. The organization and structure of work will be determined by the HDSC Director.

The USACE Fort Worth District Water Resources Branch will serve in a technical role by developing the integration of the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas precipitation frequency data into the meteorological software program (MetVue) within the Corps Water Management System. USACE will also perform quality assurance reviews of quarterly and annual reports developed for the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas.

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF OBJECTIVES

3.1 Task 1: Frequency Estimates

Research historical precipitation, analyze using statistical methodology and develop precipitation frequency estimates with upper and lower 90% confidence intervals at durations of 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, 4, 7, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days, and ARIs of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 years.

3.2 Task 2: High Resolution GRIDs

Using the produced precipitation frequency estimates, develop high resolution grids of precipitation frequency estimates and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals with one grid for each combination of frequency and duration for the expected value and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals, provided in standard ASCII format accompanied by Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata.

3.3 Task 3: Temporal Distributions

Develop probabilistic temporal distributions for 6, 12, 24 and 96 hour durations in both chart and digital form.

3.4 Task 4: Annual maxima charts

Develop charts of the seasonal distribution of precipitation annual maxima for Texas.

3.5 Task 5: Atlas 14 Mapping

Develop cartographic or online maps of the complete set of combinations of frequency and durations for the expected value and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals.

3.6 Task 6: Professional meeting and conference Attendance

At least one team member throughout the length of the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas project will attend the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. This will be to present the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas data and findings to the overall public and specifically the earth science and civil engineering communities. Travel will be required.

4.0 QUALIFICATIONS

Work on the NOAA Atlas 14 Volume for Texas will require comprehensive knowledge of the hydrometeorology of extreme storms. This study will be an additional Volume to the existing NOAA Atlas 14. Familiarity with the statistical meteorological methodology and calculations done in the previous volumes is integral to maintaining consistency within this national dataset. The team will need to be able to investigate precipitation frequency patterns and see if they can be justified meteorologically. All team members are required at a minimum to have a degree in meteorology, hydrology, engineering, or a related science field.

The team must be qualified to create precipitation frequency estimates for the HDSC precipitation frequency data server and creating/maintaining relevant codes. The team also must be able to prepare cartographic maps of a variety of data such as station locations, along with attributes of the observed time series at the locations including means, L-moments, measures of quality and at-station precipitation frequency estimate; spatially interpolated precipitation frequency estimates, and confidence intervals about the estimates.

In previous NOAA Atlas 14 volumes, MATLAB programming has been instrumental in the calculation of the annual exceedance probability analysis of storm events. MATLAB experience is necessary to complete the precipitation frequency analysis and includes the tasks to improve and maintain relevant MATLAB codes, perform quality controls tasks for extreme precipitation data that are used in frequency analysis, investigate peer review comments on draft estimates and artifacts of NOAA Atlas 14. A demonstrated knowledge of advanced statistical methods relevant to precipitation frequency analysis is required. Knowledge of civil engineering design principles for managing rainfall and runoff is required.

5.0 OPTIONS

4 Option periods subject to the availability of funds

6.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE (POP)

6.1 It is anticipated that the base period will be for 4 months from date of award.

6.2 It is anticipated that the first option period will be for 3 months from the end of the base period. If exercised, the 3 remaining option periods are anticipated to extend the POP for an additional year for each option exercised. All option periods are subject to the availability of funds.

7.0 COORDINATION

7.1 Project Management:

USACE – Fort Worth District Water Resources Branch

Jerry Cotter Chief, Water Resources Branch 817-886-1549 Jerry.L.Cotter@usace.army.mil

Maxwell Strickler Hydrologist, Water Management Section 817-886-1541 Maxwell.R.Strickler@usace.army.mil

NOAA - HDSC

Sanja Perica Director of Hydrometeorological Design Studies Center 301-427-9552 sanja.perica@noaa.gov

8.0 DELIVERABLES

8.1

1) Quarterly Reports – Once work begins, reports need to be provided to USACE once every three months detailing progress of the precipitation frequency analysis based on the assumption that the base period and all four option periods are awarded. However, if any of the option periods are not exercised, all precipitation frequency estimates, reports, and all accompanying data that had been completed up to the end of the base period or the last executed option period will be sent to the Fort Worth District.

2) Annual Report – A report will be prepared for USACE SWF Office once every twelve months detailing progress of the Atlas 14 Volume for Texas and the timeline for finishing the remaining year(s) anticipated for the project based on the assumption that the base period and all four option periods are awarded. However, if any of the option periods are not exercised, any reports working towards the Annual Report and all accompanying data that had been completed up to the end of the base period or the last executed option period will be sent to the Fort Worth District.

3) Annual Technical Summary Report – A report that provides to USACE, all data analyzed and created throughout the previous fiscal year in support of the final Atlas 14 Volume for Texas. However, if any of the option periods are not exercised, any reports working towards the Annual Technical Summary Report and all accompanying data that had been completed up to the end of the base period or the last executed option period will be sent to the Fort Worth District.

4) Draft Final Report – A draft report that provides all available data and reports that are to be prepared for the Final Report (requirements for Final Report shown below in 8.1-5). The due date for the Draft Final Report will be three months before the estimated completion of the Atlas 14 Volume, as determined by the HDSC Director.

5) Final Report – The Final Report must include:

• Web based Precipitation Frequency Data Server for accessing each artifact

• Precipitation frequency estimates with upper and lower 90% confidence intervals at durations of 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, 4, 7, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days, and ARIs of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 years

• High resolution grids of precipitation frequency estimates and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals with one grid for each combination of frequency and duration for the expected value and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals, provided in standard ASCII format accompanied by Federal Geographic Data Committee-compliant metadata.

• Either cartographic maps of the estimates with one map for selected combinations of frequency and duration for the expected value and upper and lower 90% confidence intervals or equivalent information delivered through an Internet map server.

• Probabilistic temporal distributions for 6, 12, 24 and 96 hour durations in both chart and digital form

• Charts of the seasonal distribution of annual maxima.

The Fort Worth District Water Resources Branch Chief will coordinate the submittal date of the Final Report and all deliverables to the Fort Worth District with the Director of the HDSC.

One (1) copy of all reports will be sent electronically to the Fort Worth District. All reports shall be submitted to the person identified as the Fort Worth District Water Resources Branch Chief in section 7.1 of this document.

9.0 Any resulting cooperative agreement will be subject to and recipient/cooperator shall comply with 32 CFR subpart 32.36 “Intangible Property” which includes use of research data.