Statement of Work.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Fisheries Science

Center – Panama City Lab

Obtain Research cruise data along the deeper areas of the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi out to

1000 m depth.

Background/Overview: NOAA Fisheries listed the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in January 2018. Recently, NOAA Fisheries concluded that critical habitat was not determinable due to no identifiable physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of the species within areas under U.S. jurisdiction. There are also no areas outside of the geographical area occupied by the species under U.S. jurisdiction that are essential to its conservation (85 FR 12898). In the U.S.

EEZ, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) requires NMFS to identify and describe Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), minimize the adverse effects of fishing on

EFH, and identify actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH. The MSA defines EFH as as “those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding or growth to maturity” (16 U.S.C. 1802(10)) and requires the identification of EFH in Fishery

Management Plans (FMPs). Essential fish habitat has been designated for the oceanic whitetip in localized areas in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, as well as the U.S. Caribbean.

Additionally, the entire U.S. Caribbean (waters of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) is considered to be EFH for the oceanic whitetip. However, while we can confirm that the geographical areas occupied by the oceanic whitetip include U.S. waters, there is no information regarding habitat use of oceanic whitetip sharks in any of these areas and nurseries and pupping grounds have not been identified (NMFS 2017; CITES 2013).

Scope of Work The contractor shall conduct an approximate 5 days research cruise along the deeper areas of the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana, Alabama and

Mississippi out to 1000 m depth and provide the government a standard database with results of the survey.

Tasks:

Specific tasks include making pelagic longline sets in regions of the Gulf of Mexico to target pelagic sharks. Typical pelagic sets will be up to five nautical miles in length with 100 hooks deployed per nautical mile.

Longlines will be marked on each end with high-fliers including radar reflectors and strobes.

Buoys will be spaced every 20-100 hooks depending on the depth and temperature targeted necessary to target pelagic sharks. Temperature-depth recorders will be attached to the mainline to record the depth and temperature of the shallowest and deepest hooks. Gangions will be composed of a heavy duty stainless steel tuna clip with a 8/0 stainless steel swivel attached to with double barrel copper crimps to 3.2-3.5 mm (700-900 lb test) monofilament 2.5 meters in length. The monofilament is doubled on the terminal 25 cm to prevent “bite-offs' ' and is terminated in 16/0 non-offset circle hooks baited with whole northern mackerel (Scomber scombrus) or squid (Illex sp.).

Deep bottom sets will be deployed 200-500 m deep using demersal trotlines with only 550 m of line on the bottom, thus allowing the targeting of specific depths and habitats. The gear is set with the prevailing wind unless conditions dictate otherwise. Following initial deployment of the grapnel anchor, the vessel may move ahead at 1-2 knots. A standard longline/trap set consisting of 550 m of mainline on the bottom up to 50 baited gangions. The mainline consists of 6.4 mm tarred twisted, hard-laid nylon (Emerson Cordage TD-28) and components of each set are attached to the mainline in the following order:

1. 4-kg grapnel anchor attached to the end of the mainline,

2. 10 gangions composed of a heavy duty snap on connector, 2.5 m of 400 kg monofilament, an 8/0 stainless steel swivel, 1.5 m of 2.2 mm stainless steel 7X7 cable and terminated with 18/0 OPI offset, carbon circle hooks spaced 10 m apart,

3. 20 gangions using the same configuration as the pelagic longlines spaced 10 m apart,

4. 20 gangions composed of a heavy duty snap on connector, 2.0 m of 200 kg monofilament, an 8/0 stainless steel swivel, 1.0 m of 1.8 mm stainless steel 7X7 cable and terminated with Mustad 39960D 14/0 galvanized circle hooks spaced 10 m apart,

5. a 3.0 kg sash weight,

6. a Lotek LAT2000 temperature/depth recorder,

7. mainline scoped at least 1.5 times the depth,

8. a Polyform inflatable buoy (size A-2, 30 kg floatation),

9. 10 m slackline, and

10. a strobed highflier.

Longlines are baited with bonita (Euthynnus alletteratus) or northern mackerel (Scomber scombrus). Longline sets will be made around the clock (day and night) and will soak 4-6 hours depending on drift due to surface currents. A minimum of 5,000 hooks will be soaked during the trip (10 sets at 500 hooks).

Captured sharks will be brought on board with a custom made cradle lifted by a hydraulic deck winch. Each shark will be identified, measured, sex and maturity recorded and tagged with a

NOAA Fisheries stainless steel M-type dart tag, then released. A subset of sharks determined based on species, size, sex and condition will be tagged with archival pop-off satellite tags

(PSATs) using either dart applications or custom made tethers. The total time between the shark being brought on deck and released will be less than two minutes.

Minimum vessel requirements include:

1. USCG inspected vessel with all equipment listed in the Code of Federal Regulations (46

CFR §25)

2. Length (LOA) of at least 50 ft suitable for offshore work

3. Maintainable cruising speed of at least 8 kts

4. Minimum of 2 DSC VHF radios (Digital Selective Calling), single side band radio or satellite phone, EPIRB (Emergency Position Indication Radiobeacon), automatically deploying life raft, and all safety equipment required by the USCG

5. Ability to safely operate in at least 4' seas up to 80 nm from shore

6. At least 150 sq ft of useable deck space

7. Ability to operate independently of land for at least 7 days

8. Hydraulic longline winch system capable of setting a minimum of 100 hooks.

9. Hoisting mechanism with boom, davit, crane, or A-frame extending far enough away from the vessel such that gear (3' radius) does not strike the vessel when lifting to and from the deck to the water's surface

10. Air conditioned accommodations for 4 scientists isolated from bridge and work areas.

11. Refrigerated storage capacity for food for scientists and crew for at least 7 days

12. 400 gal fresh water or freshwater maker

13. Head/bathroom

14. Air conditioned lab space for at least 3 computers and photography gear

15. Wet working area for fish dissection

16. Full galley

17. Capable of pinpoint gear deployment and retrieval (within Sm) Depth sounder, radar, 2

GPS units, and 120VAC power

18. The vessel must be provisioned with appropriate first-aid and medical supplies including adequate supplies to provide basic medical support for animal bites, common injuries

(including slips, trips, falls, sprains, strains) and illness (including seasickness, common cold, food borne illness, etc.) and at least one Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit. Additional medical supplies required for suspected COVID-19 case described in

Special Requirements Section are also required

Period of Performance

All work and Deliverables shall be completed and submitted during the timeframe from March

1, 2021 to February 8, 2022.

Place of Performance

Work will be conducted along the deeper areas of the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of

Mexico primarily in waters off Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi out to 1000 m depth.

Deliverable Schedule

NOAA will analyze data to determine the time of the year when the likelihood of encountering sharks is highest therefore, species dates will be agreed to later by the contractor and the US government.

The contractor will provide to the Project Lead and Contracting Officer Representative the standard database with results of the survey within 6 months after completion of the survey but before the end of the period of performance.

Government-Furnished Resources

The Government will furnish the listed resources to the Contractor in support of this contract.

Services Contractor will work primarily: ☐ On-Site X Off-Site

Government will provide contractor with NOAA

Fisheries stainless steel M-type dart tags

X Provided ☐ Not Provided

Archival pop-off satellite tags (PSATs) X Provided ☐ Not Provided

Services Contractor requires access to NOAA facilities:

☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires a PIV or CAC: ☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires a NOAA email address: ☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires use of DOC-Owned IT equipment (laptop or desktop computer)

☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires non-Government IT equipment to connect to a DOC network:

☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor requires access to non-public

DOC/NOAA data:

☐ Required X Not Required

Services Contractor will be provided on-site office space with incidental Government Property (desk, chair, phone, and other similar equipment that remains onsite, per FAR 45.000 (5)

☐ Provided X Not Provided

For Services Contractors doing laboratory work, the government will provide typical lab supplies and equipment for use:

☐ Provided X Not Provided

*SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

COVID-19 Special Requirements

1. The contractor must comply with all government requirements for COVID mitigation. This may include UNOLS, NOAA, or other requirements and will be discussed at the post-award meeting. These requirements may include but are not limited to the following:

a. 14 day shelter in place (SIP) for all seagoing personnel (and households if SIP is at home) prior to departure.

b. Confirmed negative COVID test(s) for all seagoing personnel at pre-specified time points prior to departure. Tests for contractor personnel will be at the contractor’s expense.

c. PPE including but not limited to gloves, face coverings (covering nose and mouth) and face shields in some situations.

d. Adequate cleaning supplies for cleaning common use areas frequently for the duration of the trip.

e. Adequate hand sanitizer for use by all seagoing personnel frequently for the duration of the trip.

f. A medical professional (EMT or higher) that is capable of conducting a quick-screen COVID test (if available) while underway and caring for contractor or government personnel that may exhibit COVID-like symptoms while underway.

g. Appropriate and adequate medical supplies to provide basic medical support to personnel with COVID-like symptoms for up to seven (7) days and a supply of quick screen COVID tests (if available).

h. If anyone on the vessel displays COVID-like symptoms the vessel will return to port immediately. The vessel must have the ability to isolate any personnel comfortably who exhibit COVID-like symptoms for the duration of the return to port.

CDC Guidelines at https://www.cdc.gov/

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. Documents, files and other data are to be stored exclusively on Government owned equipment and at no point should be saved or archived on personal drives or devices.

Copies are not to be disseminated to anyone outside of the NMFS or to any other contractor personnel without explicit release from the Government.

https://www.cdc.gov/

Section 508 Compliance

Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) as amended by P.L.

105-220 under Title IV (Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998), all Electronic and

Information Technology (EIT) developed, procured, maintained and/or used under this contract shall be in compliance with the “Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility

Standards” set forth by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (also referred to as the “Access Board”) in 36 CFR Part 1194. The complete text of Section 508

Standards can be accessed at http://www.access-board.gov/ or at http://www.section508.gov.

Required Knowledge and Experience: The contractor will have experience as principal investigators on deepwater and pelagic longline projects for sharks in the northern Gulf of

Mexico.

Key personnel must have a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or related field.

The contractor must have an advanced knowledge of shark biology including sampling, tagging and processing of captured species.

Crew must be experienced in deployment, retrieval, and repair of longline and associated gear, and must also be experienced in handling live sharks.

Evaluation Factors:

The Government will issue an order resulting from this request for quotation to the responsible offeror whose quotation results in the best value to the Government, considering both price and non-price factors. The following factors will be used to evaluate quotations:

Factor 1--TECHNICAL APPROACH. The quotation will be evaluated on how the offeror intends to perform all long line work stated in the contract and the means/equipement that will be used to accomplish the contract requirements.

Factor 2--KEY PERSONNEL. The education, experience, and accomplishments of key personnel will be evaluated to determine the degree to which they possess the qualifications to perform their proposed duties under the contract.

Factor 3 - COST/PRICE. The proposed prices/costs will be evaluated. The cost evaluation will determine whether the proposed costs are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements. Proposed costs must be entirely compatible with the technical approach.

Project Lead:

John Carlson, NOAA Fisheries Service-Panama City Laboratory. 850-624-9031.

john.carlson@noaa.gov http://www.access-board.gov/ http://www.section508.gov/ mailto:john.carlson@noaa.gov

Contracting officer Representative:

Diane Tierney, NOAA Fisheries Service-Southeast Fisheries Science Center (206) 856-4107

Diane.Tierney@noaa.gov

Contractor's invoice.

The Contractor shall prepare and submit invoices to MB.Invoices@noaa.gov. If the invoice does not comply with these requirements, the designated billing office will return it within 7 days after receipt with the reasons why it is not a proper invoice. Invoices shall not be submitted until all work is complete and the government has made acceptance. Any invoices submitted prior to this will be returned to the vendor as unacceptable. The Government will take into account untimely notification when computing any interest penalty owed the Contractor. Terms are Net 30. Please do not seek payment information until the 30 days have passed from acceptance. NOAA does make every attempt to make prompt payments.

(i) Name and address of the Contractor.

(ii) Invoice date and invoice number. (The Contractor should date invoices as close as possible to the date of the mailing or transmission.)

(iii) Contract number or other authorization for supplies delivered or services performed (including order number and line item number).

(iv) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies delivered or services performed.

(v) Shipping and payment terms (e.g., shipment number and date of shipment, discount for prompt payment terms). Bill of lading number and weight of shipment will be shown for shipments on Government bills of lading

(vi) Name (where practicable), title, phone number, and mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice.

(vii) Any other information or documentation required by the contract (e.g., evidence of shipment, Bill of Lading (BOL) invoice showing exact charges if freight exceeds $100. The government will only pay exact costs for freight when the charge exceeds $100, must be supported by airway or BOL invoice) mailto:MB.Invoices@noaa.gov