Statement_of_Work_and_Deliverables_Gulf_Coastal_Air_Quality_Monitoring_1.docx

SECTION 2

STATEMENT OF WORK

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The mission of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is to manage the responsible development of America’s offshore energy and mineral resources. The bureau promotes energy independence, environmental protection, and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Renewables, carbon sequestration, and green hydrogen have not been implemented in the federal waters of the Gulf yet; gathering data in advance of the implementation of these programs will allow BOEM to build baseline dataset that will be used for future comparative purposes. Existing baseline data (e.g., socioeconomic, related infrastructure, air quality and health, demographic, etc.) from the Gulf of Mexico are limited as coastal air quality data is scarce. This is further confounded by the likelihood that offshore renewables will interact with conventional energy and its supporting industries in numerous ways. It will be difficult to determine baseline data in the Gulf of Mexico (the nation’s primary energy corridor) as compared to other OCS regions. This underscores the importance of committing resources prior to the start of new green energy. Since these activities are administration priorities, BOEM needs to strategically allocate study funds now to be ready for actions across the region. There are several coastal communities adjacent to the wind energy call areas and/or adjacent to port and support facilities that utilize the coastal resources for subsistence, employment, and traditional practices and value its cultural aesthetic. Initial areas of focus identified would include Port Arthur, TX; Holly Beach, LA; Cameron, LA; Lake Charles, LA; Freeport, TX; Galveston, TX; Texas City, TX and southern Houston, TX where EJ populations could be within those areas. Also, the Houston Galveston-Brazoria area is in nonattainment status (i.e., does not meet the standards) for the 8-hr ozone (O3) NAAQS. These baseline and monitoring datasets could be instrumental in identifying the effects of development and, subsequently, directly inform novel mitigation actions that would bolster development efforts across the nationwide OCS.

BOEM plans to conduct air quality monitoring using its mobile air quality station. The station was built for a previous research effort and thus only needs to be moved and maintained to collect data. The station will be positioned in key coastal locations that lack existing air monitoring capabilities, as most air quality monitoring stations are near major cities and not necessarily near disadvantaged or coastal communities. Currently, BOEM’s mobile air quality monitoring station is equipped to monitor trace level carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), photolysis rate of nitrogen dioxide (jNO2), ozone (O3), and total reactive nitrogen (NOy). The station’s meteorological measurements include wind speed (ultrasonic three-dimensional), relative humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure, and differential temperature (at 2 and 10 meters) measurements. Lastly, the station is equipped with a Pandora 1Spectrometer instrument (https://pandora.gsfc.nasa.gov/Instrument/) which will allow the data collected in this effort to be leveraged with results with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related projects to determine if satellite data can help meet future data needs by comparing ambient air quality measurements with air column data measurements that are collected via satellites. The baseline data gathered will be used to compare cumulative post-activity community change to document how wind and carbon sequestration programs affect community change like air quality.

2.2 OBJECTIVES

This project provides monitoring services, including maintenance and transfer, for conducting air quality monitoring using an existing BOEM mobile air quality monitoring station. The objective of this study is to conduct air quality monitoring of air pollution and emissions to collect baseline datasets that would inform and enhance our cumulative impacts and social factors sections of forthcoming National Environmental Policy Act and environmental justice work. This study does not analyze a specific action, but rather provides the necessary baselines to compare the effects of future agency actions to measure both adverse and beneficial changes.

2.3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT

The mobile air quality monitoring station is shown in Image 1. Table 1 lists the air quality instrumentation on the monitoring station.

Image 1. Mobile air quality monitoring station.

Table 1. Air quality instrumentation on the mobile air quality monitoring station.

2.4 SCOPE OF WORK

In coordination with the COR, the contractor shall perform the following tasks:

2.4.1 TASK 1. QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN

The Contractor shall write, develop, and submit a quality management plan (QMP), quality assurance project plan (QAPP), and related standard operating procedure (SOP) documents to BOEM and the appropriate reviewing authority (USEPA Region 6). Several meetings with Federal, State, and local governments may take place for coordination efforts. These documents must be written and approved before monitoring commences. For guides and other related documents see https://www.epa.gov/amtic/ambient-air-monitoring-quality-assurance-guidance-documents.

The Contractor shall comply with federal requirements described in 40 CFR Part 58 – Ambient Air Quality Surveillance.

2.4.2 TASK 2. FIELD OPERATIONS FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING

The Contractor shall use BOEM’s mobile air quality monitoring station to collect meteorological and air pollutant concentration data (refer to Table 1 for a list of equipment). The Contractor shall monitor for a period of at least one (1) year. Location of the monitoring station will be determined in consultation with the COR. The location will consider placement in or near environmental justice (EJ) communities, availability of access to power, and short travel time to the site for site visits. The location must have access to power for the monitoring station. The Contractor shall make routine site visits for scheduled maintenance. BOEM anticipates these site visits to be bimonthly. The Contractor is responsible for providing internet connection, as needed. The Contractor is responsible for managing and documenting data in USEPA’s Air Quality System (AQS) and shall upload the data to AQS monthly or as determined in consultation with the COR. AQS can be found at https://www.epa.gov/aqs. The Contractor shall provide a final copy of the data in AQS to the COR.

The Contractor shall maintain the pandora instrument according to the NASA’s pandora guidance and report to the Pandonia Global Network (https://www.pandonia-global-network.org/). The Contractor shall have the Pandora instrument connected to a WiFi network and the Contractor shall ensure that the data collected from the Pandora instrument is uploaded in real-time to the Pandonia Global Network servers. The Contractor shall submit all the Pandora data to the Pandonia Global Network in real-time (https://www.pandonia-global-network.org/). The Contractor shall provide a final copy of the data to the COR.

The Contractor shall comply with federal requirements described in 40 CFR Part 58 – Ambient Air Quality Surveillance.

In consultation with the COR, the Contractor shall make repairs as needed to maintain operation of the monitoring station including repairs to the shelter, HVAC, power supply, uninterruptable power supply (UPS), and any other related items. BOEM anticipates up to five (5) unexpected repairs annually. This does not include routine maintenance repairs. Also, BOEM anticipates up to five (5) unexpected site visits annually.

2.4.3 TASK 3: MONITORING ANALYSIS

The Contractor shall analyze the collected monitoring data (including meteorological conditions) in Task 2 and existing monitoring data (e.g., data available in EPA’s Air Quality System) of low and high polluted days to assess the baseline, and, when possible, effects (including adverse and beneficial effects) from changes in coastal usage from construction crews, port activity, and vessel traffic. When possible, effects to EJ communities shall be analyzed. The Contractor shall incorporate this analysis in the study report in Task 4.

2.4.4 TASK 4. STUDY REPORT, TECHNICAL SUMMARY, AND POWER POINT PRESENTATION

The Contractor shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (found at 29 U.S.C. 794d) requires access to and use of information by individuals with disabilities. Deliverables such as electronic reports (e.g., PDF files) to be placed on the web (either on the agency’s web server or the company’s), video footage, or other electronic data such as CD-ROMs to be distributed are subject to Section 508 guidelines. Simplified, this means that PDF files need to be formatted so that they are “readable” by assistive technology devices such as screen readers. Video footage must be closed captioned. CD-ROMs which contain HTML, PDF, or word processor files must be accessible.

Technical Summary The Contractor shall prepare and submit a draft Technical Summary to the BOEM for scientific and editorial review. The Technical Summary shall cover all technical tasks. The organization for the Technical Summary will be agreed upon between the Contractor’s PM and the BOEM COR prior to preparation. The Technical Summary shall conform to specifications and templates found at our web site: https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the final Technical Summary that incorporates changes, corrections, and additions identified during the BOEM review of the draft.

Study Report (including Reference Database) The Contractor shall submit digital files using the format indicated in the report specifications for use as report cover graphics. These shall be readily identified with the subject of the report. With prior COR approval, the Contractor may submit a suitable illustration depicting the subject of the report. More than one graphic may be submitted.

The Contractor shall prepare and submit the Draft Report as per the schedule listed in Section 2.4. The BOEM and designated reviewers shall review the Draft Report and notify the Contractor of any required changes, corrections, or additions. The Contractor shall address all corrections, comments, and recommendations, and shall submit a second version of the Draft Report (“Review Copy”). The Review Copy shall be prepared as if it was the final version of the Report (i.e., with identical pagination, format, cover art, forward matter, figures, tables, etc.) and shall be submitted as per the schedule listed in Section 2.4, within 30 days of receipt of review comments on the Draft Report. The Review Copy will go through review by the COR and our Editorial Staff until deemed accepted by BOEM. BOEM’s review may take up to 40 days. All corrections shall be incorporated into the Final Report. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the Final Report to the BOEM, as per the schedule listed in 2.4, within 30 days of receipt of BOEM editorial review comments. Any map(s) included shall be provided in digital formats.

This Report shall address the objective(s), detail methodologies employed, and analyze results.

This Report shall conform to specifications and templates found at our web site:

https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/. Please consult this site for the most recent specifications before assembling the document as these are updated regularly.

Furthermore, this Report shall be fully bookmarked (the first three levels of the Table of Contents), with links to what is in the Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Tables, front cover, title page, and back cover. Bookmarks shall be in the left navigation pane.

The Contractor shall not provide copies of this Report, nor any subsequent revisions prepared during the review process, nor data contained within, nor any portions thereof, to any parties not explicitly designated in Section 2.4 below before final acceptance by the BOEM of the Final Report. If a need arises to do so, the project manager must obtain the written approval of the CO.

The Contractor shall prepare and submit a reference database. It must include a full reference list (e.g., type of reference, author(s), editor(s), title of document, journal or report volume and number, page numbers, edition, date of publication, ISBN number, publisher, publisher location, relevant electronic links and date accessed) that is readable by and importable into MS Excel, MS Access, Reference Manager, and Endnote software.

Power Point Presentation The Contractor shall prepare and submit a draft PowerPoint presentation that includes the study objectives, design, methods, activities conducted during the contract performance, and study results, data analysis, QA/QC, and interpretation. The Contractor shall prepare and submit the final PowerPoint presentation that incorporates changes, corrections, and additions identified during the BOEM review of the draft.

The PowerPoint presentation shall include at least 30 slides that discuss study objectives, methods, activities conducted during the contract performance, study results, and data analysis. Each slide shall contain the BOEM logo in the lower left-hand corner. This logo will be supplied digitally by the COR. No other reference to the BOEM or the Contractor may be used on the slides. Charts, graphs, maps, etc. may be included as slides. The Contractor shall add notes to the PowerPoint file in the notes page of each slide in sufficient detail to enable someone to make an informative presentation on the study using only the PowerPoint file. All Microsoft deliverables shall be compatible with the version of MS applications in use by the BOEM at the time of delivery; the current versions are those included in Microsoft Office 365.

2.4.5 TASK 5. RELOCATION OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATION

Once monitoring is completed, the Contractor shall pack and mobilize the monitoring station to a destination identified by the COR. BOEM anticipates the destination to be a storage facility in New Orleans, LA.

2.4.6 TASK 6. WEATHER MONITORING AND EVACUATION

The Contractor shall monitor site weather conditions (e.g., hurricanes) that could trigger an evacuation event. The Contractor shall prepare the site for mobilization to a safe storage location and return the station after the weather event has cleared. BOEM anticipates the monitoring station to be evacuated once a year.

2.4.7 OPTIONAL TASK 7. ADDITIONAL MONITORING INSTRUMENTS TO EXISTING STATION

In coordination with the COR, the Contractor may add new air quality and meteorological instruments to BOEM’s monitoring station (for example, PM2.5 monitors) that will fill gaps in information needed to make science-informed decisions within BOEM, particularly related to environmental justice work. Federal approved instruments are a priority. New stations are not being requested.

SECTION 3

DELIVERIES OR PERFORMANCE

2.1 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

All fieldwork under this contract shall be performed at coastal locations (reasonably close to the shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico) in the State of Texas or Louisiana.

Data analysis and report preparation shall occur at the Contractor’s facilities.

Teleconferences will be coordinated between the Contractor and the Contracting Officer’s Representative as necessary.

2.2 MEETINGS, REPORTS, AND OTHER DELIVERABLES

The Contractor is responsible for quality assurance/quality control, editing and proofreading all material in order to prepare products as error free as possible prior to their delivery to the BOEM. Specific details for submissions are described in the sections below. The following deliverables shall be submitted, and meetings held following the schedules specified in Section 2.3. All digital deliverables must be submitted in a format compatible with the BOEM IT operating environment (e.g. Windows 10 operating system).

A. POST-AWARD MEETING AND SUMMARY

Within twenty (20) business days following award, the Contractor shall schedule a Post-Award Meeting with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Contracting Officer (CO), and the Contractor to be held via teleconference. At the Post Award Meeting, any remaining technical or managerial issues shall be discussed and resolved. Within five (5) business days following the meeting, the Contractor shall prepare and distribute to the COR and CO, a summary detailing the discussions and any mutually agreed to decisions. Any agreed-to changes that might affect the project are subject to approval in writing by the BSEE CO via a modification to the contract.

B. QMP, QAPP, AND RELATED SOPS

Before the monitoring period beings, the Contractor shall provide copies of the final approved QMP, QAPP, and related SOP documents. The Contractor shall follow USEPA’s guides and other related documents. See https://www.epa.gov/amtic/ambient-air-monitoring-quality-assurance-guidance-documents.

C. COPY OF DATA IN U.S. EPA’s AIR QUALITY SYSTEM (AQS) AND PANDONIA GLOBAL NETWORK

Copies of any raw data shall be provided to the COR in its original format and a format that can be easily read by a computer. The electronic copies of the raw data shall be submitted by mail to the COR on a USB/hard drive. All external drives shall be Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 compliant. Electronic copies can be submitted via e-mail, if possible.

D. STUDY REPORT, TECHNICAL SUMMARY, AND POWER POINT PRESENTATION

The Contractor shall conform to specifications and templates found at our web site:

https://www.boem.gov/ESP-Data-and-Information-Specifications/. Please consult this site for the most recent specifications before assembling the document as these are updated regularly.

Furthermore, this Report shall be fully bookmarked (the first three levels of the Table of Contents), with links to what is in the Table of Contents, List of Figures, List of Tables, front cover, title page, and back cover. Bookmarks shall be in the left navigation pane.

These deliverables (including appendices) shall comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

2.3 SCHEDULE AND DISTRIBUTION OF DELIVERABLES

All correspondence pertaining to this contract prepared by the Contractor shall have a courtesy copy (with attachments) sent to the COR and CO. Correspondence pertaining to this contract received by the Contractor (excluding correspondence to and from the BOEM) shall be copied and sent to the COR and CO according to the schedule. All correspondence shall be clearly marked with the contract number on the first page and in the title of the subject line for email exchanges.

Deliverable products shall be submitted to the addresses shown in Section 2.4 in accordance with the following schedule:

CO – one (1) copy

ESP Representative – one (1) copy

Chief, DES – one (1) copy

· Post-Award Meeting shall be scheduled within twenty (20) business days after award.

· Written Meeting Summary must be submitted via email within five (5) business days after the meeting.

· Before monitoring period begins.

C. Copy of Data in U.S. EPA’s AQS and Pandonia Global Network

COR – one (1) copy

· Within thirty (30) days after monitoring period ends.

CO – one (1) copy

ESP Representative – one (1) copy

Chief, DES – one (1) copy of Final Report

· Draft Report: Submit six (6) months prior to the end of the final contract year.

· Review Copy: Submit within thirty (30) days of receipt of BOEM review comments.

· Final Report: Submit within 30 days of receipt of BOEM editorial comments.

· Technical Summary: Concurrently with Report.

· Power Point Presentation: Concurrently with Report.

· Reference Database: Concurrently with submission of Final Report.

2.4 ADDRESSES FOR DELIVERABLES

Contracting Officer's Representative [COR]

TBD

Contracting Officer [CO]

TBD

ESP Representative

TBD

Chief, DES environmentalstudiesprogram2@boem.gov image1.jpg