Study Fleet PWS.pdf

***IMPORTANT NOTICE – HISTORIC PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT***

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) is provided for informational and market research purposes only in support of a Request for Information (RFI). The requirements described reflect historical activities under the Study Fleet Program and are intended solely to illustrate the general nature and complexity of the effort.

This PWS does not represent final requirements or a finalized acquisition strategy and may be revised prior to any future solicitation. Scientific direction, data analysis, regulatory decision-making, and overall program oversight remain solely the responsibility of NOAA.

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Northeast Fisheries Science Center

SUMMARY

Title of Project: Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Study Fleet Services for Cooperative Research Branch

1.0 GENERAL

The goal of this work is to electronically collect detailed information about commercial fisheries catch, discards, fishing effort, and the environment from individual gear hauls to answer research questions related to fisheries dynamics in the Northeast region. Collection of detailed commercial fisheries data is necessary to fulfill the statutory requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). By collecting this high resolution spatial and temporal fishery dependent data we are improving the data available to advance understanding of population, ecosystem, and fishery dynamics in the Northeast region. This improved understanding helps the Northeast Fisheries Science Center produce accurate stock and ecosystem assessments and inform fisheries and ocean use management, which is essential to achieve the standards laid out in the Magnuson Stevens Act.

1.1 BACKGROUND

The mission of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) is to provide the scientific information necessary for productive, sustainable, and healthy marine ecosystems and coastal communities in the Northeast region. This requires robust data on the resource species, fisheries, and ecosystems in the Northeast region. The mission of the Cooperative Research Branch (CRB) is to conduct research in collaboration with the fishing community to improve understanding of ocean ecosystems, support sustainable fisheries management, and build trust and understanding among stakeholders.

This acquisition supports the mission of both the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and the Cooperative Research Branch by engaging commercial fishing vessels in collecting high resolution catch, effort and environmental data to advance understanding of the region’s marine and coastal ecosystems and to inform sustainable fisheries management. This acquisition seeks to recruit contracted fishing vessels to participate in the Study Fleet Program to expand the value of the Study Fleet data to stock and ecosystem assessments. The Study Fleet program was developed in 2007 to collect the high-resolution fishery dependent data necessary to support the Northeast Fisheries

Science Center’s research enterprise. The high spatial and temporal resolution of the data collected by Study Fleet vessels provide insight into fishing behavior and ecological dynamics that is not available through regulatory reporting.

The NEFSC has developed an electronic data collection system that supports detailed tow-by-tow recording of fishing effort and catch (kept and discarded portions) with associated temperature and depth data. Fishermen use the system to record detailed fishing effort metrics, catch composition biological samples, and environmental datain support of fisheries science. Commercial fishing vessels participating in longfin squid, shortfin squid, mackerel, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, summer flounder, whiting, and haddock fisheries are needed to provide long-term tow-by-tow data using the NEFSC Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software (FLDRS), automated oceanographic sensors, and real-time data transmission.

The Study Fleet data are used to develop standardized catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) indices for species such as American plaice, haddock, and black sea bass, and shortfin squid and to explore environmental drivers of shortfin squid and Atlantic mackerel, and to assess the economic impacts of offshore wind energy development on longfin squid fishing operations. To advance and expand applications of Study Fleet data in support of the NEFSC mission, greater vessel participation in and higher data density from Study Fleet are required. Achieving expanded participation in the Study Fleet program to meet data needs of the NEFSC and CRB is the focus of this acquisition.

1.2 OBJECTIVE

This is a requirement for vessel support for the Northeast Cooperative Research Branch Study Fleet program in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries to assist in collecting high resolution catch, effort, and environmental data to address science and management needs for longfin squid, shortfin squid, mackerel, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, summer flounder, whiting, and haddock fisheries. These fisheries have been identified as our priority for the collection of long-term, tow-by-tow data using the Fisheries Logbook Data Recording software, automated oceanographic sensors, and real-time data transmission. The current research focuses on enhanced ecosystem monitoring through the use of modern technologies, production of precise fishing footprints, tracking the use of more selective fishing gears and practices, and linking oceanographic and socioeconomic factors to fishery models.

1.3 SCOPE

The Contractor shall collect and transmit tow-by-tow fishing effort and catch data using the NEFSC FLDRS electronic logbook system (Appendix I). The Contractor shall support the development and use of oceanographic data collection systems and real-time data transmission systems, as well as the testing of new hardware, software, and data collection protocols. Whole fish samples may be required for specific projects and during specific periods of time during the contract year, and the Contractor will be compensated as described in Section 4.0.

The Government may require the Contractor to collect biological and other relevant scientific information on species requested by the NEFSC as described in Section 5.0. The Government may require the Contractor to travel to participate in Cooperative Research meetings for a partial day (described in Section 6.0) or multiple days (described in Section 6.0), to discuss Study Fleet program results and future work. The Government may require the Contractor to purchase materials to support routine performance requirements or special projects described in Section 6.0.

The Contractor may be requested to engage in more extensive research or testing of new equipment and approaches that may be separate from fishing activities through the performance of additional services requested as described in Section 6.2.

1.4 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The place of performance is aboard commercial fishing vessels operating in the continental shelf from Maine to North Carolina.

2.0. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Vessel Safety

The Contractor shall ensure a United States Coast Guard (USCG) Fishing Vessel Safety Inspection has been passed within one (1) year of the date of award.

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/Fed_Regs.pdf The vessels shall meet all safety, firefighting and lifesaving equipment requirements as found in applicable sections of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 28. The vessel shall be outfitted with personal floatation devices and survival craft of sufficient number and capacity to accommodate all on board including visiting scientific party and of the type required for a vessel of its size, class, and service in accordance with 46 CFR. Survival suits for the ship’s crew must be provided by the Contractor.

2.2. Stability

The Contractor’s vessel shall be of a design and shall be operated and maintained in a condition that warrants it seaworthy and stable in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping’s Guide for Building and Classing Fishing Vessels and the 46 CFR, Part 28, Subchapter E.

2.3. Material Condition, Structural and Watertight Integrity

Throughout performance of this contract, the Contractor shall maintain a record of one or more of the following, reflecting the vessel’s current configuration, as evidence of the vessel being maintained in a seaworthy condition: evidence of a dry-docking survey, or underwater survey in lieu of dry-docking, and an internal structural examination within two (2) years; or proof of satisfactorily passing an inspection completed by the Contractor’s marine insurance carrier. If the insurer inspection report occurred more than one (1) year prior to contract award, a current inspection may be requested by the NEFSC if the current vessel configuration differs from the description in the insurance inspection report. The Government reserves the right to inspect the vessel’s material condition with respect to maintenance of vital systems, vessel configuration, and watertight integrity prior to award.

2.4. Regulatory Compliance

The Contractor’s vessel shall be outfitted, operated and maintained to meet all applicable federal, state and local environmental, health, safety and pollution control regulations. The Contractor shall have on board during the currency of this contract all certificates, records and other documents required by applicable laws and regulation including a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility” meeting requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard for vessels over 400 tons. The Contractor’s vessel shall not have any current operator or vessel permit sanctions.

2.5. Exempted Fishing Permits

The Contractor shall comply with the conditions set forth in any Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) issued to the vessel, including reporting requirements.

3.0. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS-CLIN 0001, 0005, 0006, 0007,

3.1. General Quarterly Performance Requirements - On a quarterly basis, the Contractor shall:

a. Provide approved equipment and hardware for tow-by-tow fishery data collection (See Section

3.2 below). Oceanographic data collection, telemetry, and any other specialized equipment will be provided by the NEFSC.

b. Participate in onshore and at-sea training and troubleshooting on fishery and oceanographic data collection software, consistent with the vessel’s normal fishing practices.

c. Report tow-by-tow data during normal commercial fishing trips.

d. Review and edit data when necessary within 30 days of error notice.

e. Provide feedback on the development and utility of associated software and hardware systems;

and

f. Ensure that vessel staffing does not negatively affect the performance of the requirements under the contract, including data quality.

3.2. Information Technology and Equipment Requirements

The Contractor shall provide a dedicated computer which shall be used to collect the Study Fleet tow-by tow data that can optionally be wired into the vessel’s depth sounder to automate filling required data fields. A secondary GPS unit will be required which will be integrated with the computer or data collection equipment.

If data transmission of the electronic logbook data will occur via a vessel monitoring system (VMS), the vessel’s VMS must be connected to the Study Fleet laptop. At this time only Skymate is compatible with FLDRS data submission.

The Contractor shall have fully functional data collection equipment within the first quarter of contract award as described in section 14.1 and attachment C. The minimum requirements for Study Fleet data collection using FLDRS software are:

1. Dedicated Laptop Computer with the following minimum specifications:

a. Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) operating system or higher.

b. Processor: Intel Core Series or AMD Ryzen Series (2020 or later)

c. Hard drive:. 256 GB SSD

d. Memory: 8 GB

e. USB 3.0 A ports: Min of 3 ports + (Powered hubs acceptable)

2. Dedicated GPS Receiver – must interpret NMEA 0183 data sentences - Note: Furuno and Northstar units have been used with great success: the Global Stat BU-353 USB GPS is a USB-port enabled GPS that has also worked well. Furuno GP-32 does not work with the Study Fleet data collection system.

3. Battery Backup/Surge Protection.

4. 4-port RS 232 serial to USB Converter or a single serial-to-USB converter for each required data feed (up to 2).

5. Starlink, or hotspot cellular data connection or dockside connection is highly recommended (not required but will allow for data submission via internet).

6. One USB 2.0 Flashdrive: 2+ GB (allows backup and land transmission of files).

3.3. Contractor Attendance at Government Provided Training

At the direction of the Contracting Officer Representative (COR), the Contractor shall attend training necessary for use of the tow-by-tow software. Initial training will take place within the first full fiscal quarter of the contract period. Most training can be done on the vessel. Follow-up training and troubleshooting will be scheduled by the NEFSC Study Fleet contact based on fishermen’s comments as well as preliminary analyses of the data collected. The Contractor shall attend follow-up training on a mutually agreed-upon schedule at the direction of the COR.

3.4. Contractor Participation and Support of Coordination Meetings On a periodic basis, the Contractor shall meet with Study Fleet staff members at the vessel in order to install and maintain systems, discuss any technical issues, provide feedback, offer suggestions and allow for the download and archiving of supplementary data. Trouble-shooting meetings between the vessel operator and the NEFSC field technician may be necessary after the first initial trips, and with new software and hardware installations. These meetings may occur at the dock or while at sea during fishing operations on a mutually agreed upon schedule. Regular check-up meetings at the vessel will occur throughout the contract period.

3.5. Electronic Logbook and Oceanographic Data Reporting

The Contractor shall provide tow-by-tow catch and effort data, temperature and depth data, and dynamic data elements such as gear parameters when applicable.. This data shall be submitted to the NEFSC Cooperative Research Branch.

Vessel operators shall use collect this data on all trips during the period of this contract. All electronic trip data shall contain Captain’s hail amounts of both the retained and discarded portion of the catch.

3.6. Reporting and Performance Periods

It is understood that seasonal area or fishery closures and vessel maintenance may occasionally result in a Contractor not conducting fishing trips for a period of time. Not fishing for a period of more than 30 days during a reporting quarter will result in deductions to contract payment for that quarter.

Repeated non-reporting periods of more than 30 days during the contract period may be considered grounds for reduction in scope and closeout of the contract through a bilateral modification. Failure to report catch accurately, including by not limited to failure to report discards will result in deductions to contract payment for that quarter. Repeated failure to report discards during the contract period may be considered grounds for termination of the contract.

3.7. Data Transfer

The Contractor shall transfer data from the vessel to NEFSC databases. This may be accomplished through a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) system, through wireless data services, through a combination of both, through a program-provided telemetry system.

3.8. Trip Data Review and Editing

The Contractor shall review and edit data when necessary within 30 days of error notice. This may be accomplished through either a shore-based computer with internet access, or via an onboard computer with a mobile broadband card and data plan. Within five (5) days of contract award, the Contractor shall sign a Non-disclosure form for use of government network systems needed to access data. The Non-disclosure form is provided as Attachment B - Non-Disclosure Form for Use of Government Network Systems.

3.9. Contractor Support of NEFSC Staff on Vessel Deployment

Within each contract year, NEFSC staff may sail with the vessel periodically to:

a. Conduct independent verification of catch and effort estimates;

b. Test software and hardware modifications, and

c. Collect additional data (such a length frequencies) from commercial catch.

Within each contract year, the Contractor shall support up to 20 days of field staff deployment at sea. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing meals and bunk accommodations to staff during these trips and shall cooperate fully with staff in scheduling staff deployments at mutually agreeable times.

4.0. OPTIONAL ITEM: DELIVERY OF WHOLE FISH SAMPLES – CLIN 0002

4.1. General Description

Whole fish samples may be required for specific projects and during specific periods of time during the contract year, and will be compensated as described in Section 4.2.

4.2. Contractor Special Packing, Marking and Delivery Requirements Under performance of this option, Contractors are required to use the FLDRS electronic logbook during the selected trips, and fish will be landed whole (not dressed), iced, and in marked fish totes provided by and delivered to Study Fleet staff.

4.3. Vessel Trip Report Application

Contractors responsible for VTR reporting shall list all transactions for legal fish samples sold to Cooperative Research on the required VTRs; the dealer should be listed as “NMFS NEFSC Coop.

Res., dealer permit number 3827” on their VTRs and in the FLDRS electronic logbook records. Any fish retained under this option will be deducted appropriately from the sector’s Annual Catch Entitlement (ACE) or common pool Total Allowable Catch (TAC).

4.4. Special Requirements for Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) Fish This Option includes samples of fish that are landed under an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), such as those that are under-sized or amounts which exceed the Federal landing regulations (See Appendix II. Average regional pricing for common species). Fish delivered under EFP requirements must be reported according to the requirements in the EFP.

5.0. OPTIONAL ITEM: COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION AND

OTHER RELEVANT SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION – CLIN 0003

5.1. General Description

The Government may require the Contractor to collect biological and other relevant scientific information on species requested by the NEFSC. Examples of this information are length frequencies and sex ratios of commercially important and bycatch species.

5.2. Contractor Special Packing, Marking and Delivery Requirements The Contractor is required to use the FLDRS electronic logbook during the selected trips, and record and deliver the data in the format provided by the NEFSC.

6.0. OPTIONAL ITEM: OTHER DIRECT COSTS-EQUIPMENT OR MATERIALS and

TRAVEL – CLIN 0004

6.1. General Description

The Government may request the Contractor to participate in local meetings to discuss Study Fleet program results and futurework. These meetings will be within a local range and for duration of less than five (5) hours (Generally 2-3 hours), with no more than two meetings per year.

The Government may require the Contractor to travel to participate in Cooperative Research meetings to discuss Cooperative Research program results and future work. Meetings may consist of annual Cooperative Research meetings, Fishery Management Plan Working Group Meetings, or may be in conjunction with Fishery Management Council meetings.

The Government may require the Contractor to purchase material, computer/software to support routine performance requirements or special projects.

6.2 Requirements for Testing

The Contractor may be requested to engage in more extensive research or testing of new equipment and approaches that may be separate from fishing activities through the performance of additional services requests.

Research and testing shall be in support of broader applications of tow-by-tow and oceanographic data collection and transmission. Some examples of recent and potential research and testing areas are:

a. Specialized sampling to detect habitat associations of resource species.

b. Specialized testing of data collection software for fixed gear fisheries.

c. Specialized research on the oceanographic drivers of resource species.

d. Specialized sampling of catch to assess conversion factors.

The Contractor shall be able to perform additional test requirements during the contract period of performance without causing delay or disruption to the performance of the basic services or option items under this contract, any other contract, or any other work in process for the Government.

7.0 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT

7.1 Data Quality Standards

Performance Factor 1 (Table 1) must be achieved by the end of the first contract quarter.

Performance factors will be effective beginning in the second full quarter of contract performance.

Required Services, Performance Standards, Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs), Monitoring Methods, Evaluation Bases, and Incentive/Disincentives are captured in Table 1 Required Quarterly Performance Metrics.

Table 1 - Required Quarterly Performance Metrics

Required Task Desired Outcome Performance Standard

Acceptable Quality Level Monitoring Method Incentive/ Disincentive

Acquire necessary information technology and equipment, and participate in software training

All required information technology and equipment purchased and installed and software training complete.

Contractor will acquire all required information technology and equipment and participate in software training

All required information technology and equipment purchased and installed and software training complete

First quarter check-in with Study Fleet technician to determine if Contractor has met the requirement

Contractor payment will be reduced by 50% for each quarter of non-compliance

Collect tow-by-two commercial fishing datausing FLDRS during commercial fishing activities without exceeding 30 days of noncommercial fishing or data collection

Collect tow-by-tow effort and catch data on every commercial fishing trip using FLDRS

Do not exceed a period of 30 days without tow-by-tow commercial fishing data.

Do not exceed a period of 30 days without tow-by-tow commercial fishing data

Quarterly Automated data audit checking for 30 consecutive days of no data collection.

Quarterly payment will be reduced by 33.33% for every period exceeding 30 days without collection of tow-by tow commercial fishing data using

FLDRS

Collect complete tow-by-tow commercial fishing catch data including all retained and discarded catch

Collection of tow-by-tow data on retained and discarded catch on every commercial fishing trip using FLDRS is complete.

Completeness of tow-by-two commercial fishing catch data including all catch and discarded species.

Ensure completeness of tow-by-tow commercial fishing data including all catch and discarded species

Quarterly Automated data audit checking completeness of tow-by-tow catch data.

Quarterly payment will be reduced by 20% if tow-by-two catch data collection is incomplete.

7.2 Quality Assurance and Monitoring

The Government’s Quality Assurance monitoring, accomplished by the COR (and others as designated) as described in the attached Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (provided as Attachment C – Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan) and Table 1 in the above numbered section, will be reported by generating an automated Contract Quarter Performance Summary. This summary will document the COR’s understanding of the Contractor’s performance under the contract as determined by the automated, quarterly evaluation system to ensure that the requirements stated in the SOW are met.

7.3 Performance Incentives and Disincentives

Reduced Payment strategies will be employed based on Contractor performance for a given quarter and the results of the automated, quarterly evaluation system. Payment Reductions will be as follows:

a. Reduced quarter payment of 50% for every quarter the Contractor does not acquire necessary information technology and equipment, and participate in software training.

b. Reduced quarterly payment of 33.33% for every period over 30 days without fishing or providing FLDRS data reporting.

c. Reduced quarterly payment by 20% for every quarter the Contractor tow-by-tow catch data is incomplete (i.e. no discarded catch reported)

Repeated performance at Reduced Payment levels may result in a Government finding of poor performance and lead to non-exercise of the option to extend the term of the contract or possible termination for cause.

8.0 Additional Contract Requirements

8.1 INVOICING FOR WHOLE FISH SAMPLES, COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL

INFORMATION, ODCS-E.G. EQUIPMENT, AND TRAVEL

Upon receipt of a supported, valid, and properly invoiced costs incurred for whole fish samples, collection of biological information, ODCs-e.g. equipment, and travel reference clause FAR 52.212- 4 (Alt 1) (i)(1)(ii)(D)(i) Other Direct Costs. The contract does not allow payment to be made to anyone other than the contract award recipient, or to the assignees of all payments due under this contract.

Invoices for Optional Items must provide a copy of the invoice from the service provider identifying the charges. Costs incurred for Optional Items as described in the Price Schedule will be reimbursed for actual costs in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations, reference clause “52.212-4(Alt 1) (i) Payments”.

8.2 WHOLE FISH SAMPLES, COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION,

ODCS - E.G. EQUIPMENT, AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT COSTS

Actual costs incurred for purchase of whole fish samples, collection of biological information, ODCs - e.g. equipment, and travel during the Fleet Study will be reimbursed under contract line items for WHOLE FISH SAMPLES, COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION, ODCS-E.G. EQUIPMENT, AND TRAVEL (See Price Schedule) and in accordance with clause titled INVOICING FOR WHOLE FISH SAMPLES, COLLECTION OF BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION, ODCS-E.G. EQUIPMENT, AND TRAVEL, clause titled, FAR 52.212-4 (Alt

1) (I Payment) and NAM 1330-52.242.70 SUBMITTAL OF INVOICES. All reimbursable expenses must be invoiced with a copy of the receipt for the item attached to the invoice to the Government. Payment may only be made to the Contractor of the vessel charter.

APPENDICES

Appendix I. Fisheries Logbook Data Recording Software (FLDRS)

When the Study Fleet Program was initiated in 2006, an electronic logbook system, now FLDRS, was developed to record high resolution tow-by-tow, commercial fisheries data by Study Fleet participants. The software collects self-reported data on fishing effort, area fished, gear characteristics, catch, and biological observations. The software can capture data at tow-by-towand subtrip levels. FLDRS is also integrated with the vessel's GPS, VMS, and depth sounder feeds. The main goal is to enable fishermen to collect accuratedata on where and how many fish are caught, how much effort was expended as well as share their knowledge and at-sea observations on associated catch and effort. The software is maintained by the NEFSC Fishery Monitoring and Research Division’s Data Information Systems Branch. In particular, enhancements for use by fixed gear fleets are necessary to capture data consistent with observer protocols and to better adapt the system to operating practices on smaller coastal vessels.

Appendix II. Average regional pricing for common species as of April 26, 2022.

FISH TYPE QTY COST

Atlantic Cod 1 lb $3.35

Winter Flounder 1 lb $3.00

Summer Flounder 1 lb $4.50

Yellowtail Flounder 1 lb $2.50

Haddock 1 lb $3.00

Monkfish 1 lb $3.00

Tilefish 1 lb $4.50

Skates 1 lb $1.00

Atlantic Herring 1 lb $0.75

Atlantic Mackerel 1 lb $1.00

Black Sea Bass 1 lb $5.00

Butterfish 1 lb $1.75

Halibut 1 lb $9.00

Illex Squid 1 lb $1.75

Lobster 1 lb $6.25

Loligo Squid 1 lb $2.00

Ocean Perch (Redfish) 1 lb $1.75

Pollock 1 lb $1.75

Scup 1 lb $1.00

Sea Scallop (Cut) 1 lb $13.50

Silver Hake 1 lb $1.50

Spiny Dogfish 1 lb $1.00

Other Species 1 lb $2.00

Exempted Fish Permit (EFP) Fish up to 50 lbs

1 Lot $50.00

Exempted Fish Permit (EFP) Fish above 50 lbs

1 lb $1.00

Atlantic Cusk 1 lb $2.00

***IMPORTANT NOTICE – HISTORIC PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT***