Statement_of_Work.docx

Statement of Work Logistical and Administrative Assistance to the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna like Species in the North Pacific

NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries Science Center Fisheries Resources Division

OVERVIEW:

This contract is to provide technical assistance services to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) in support of the International Scientific Committee for Tuna and Tuna-like Species in the North Pacific Ocean (ISC). The main focus of these services will be to support the coordination and implementation of workshops that respond to the priorities of the ISC. The Contractor shall work with the designated staff person at NOAA SWFSC to provide support in event development and logistics. Logistic support includes coordinating meeting space requirements, audio-visual (AV) requirements, assisting with travel plans and developing meeting materials. These events may be held both on and off site.

BACKGROU ND:

The intent of the ISC is to enhance scientific research and cooperation for conservation and rational utilization of tuna and tuna-like species which inhabit the North Pacific Ocean during a part or all of their life cycle. ISC members include representatives with suitable scientific and fisheries qualifications from countries with fishing entities in the North Pacific region. The ISC coordinates and fosters research initiatives to improve understanding of the biology and ecology of billfish, albacore tuna, bluefin tuna, and shark stocks in the North Pacific Ocean.

The work plan activities for the ISC will include:

· Convening no less than 14 workshops to review and discuss research activities, and conduct stock assessments

· Assist with planning of training modules and focused training on stock assessment and management evaluation strategy methodologies;

· On-site visits to support research activity planning in ISC member countries;

· And organizational and operational planning and implementation.

Project Tasks:

Task 1. Provide logistical support for priority ISC activities

The contractor shall provide logistical support for training and workshops identified in the ISC work plan or by the SWFSC contact person. The contractor will support no less than 14 workshops (3 each for the ISC Billfish Working Group, Bluefin Working Group, Shark Working Group and Albacore Working Group; 2 for the Statistics Working Group). Working Group participation is limited to ISC Members. Logistic support includes:

· Attending planning committee meetings to discuss basic goals and objectives and pay all expenses for workshops conducted with funds in this contract. Expenses may include, but are not limited to: meeting space, AV requirements, paying travel expenses for non-federal government participants, and meeting materials costs. Workshops may be held both on and off site.

· Disburse funds to pay invoices for meeting expenses. Provide quarterly financial reports.

· Arrange for meeting space and AV requirements, assisting with hotel services (listings and prices), transportation coordination, and assist with all logistical functions prior to event.

Other services may include:

· Preparation of event participant packets for distribution on-site to all participants, speakers and moderators. The participant packet shall include (when applicable) (a) a final agenda with detailed program information, (b) a resource list of all speakers and moderators, (c) a list of all registered participants, and (d) a welcome letter (from the workshop/conference organizers). Other relevant materials collected from speakers and other sources may be considered for inclusion in the participant packet.

Task 2. Provide logistical support for expert visits

Based on the ISC work plan, the Contractor will work with the NOAA SWFSC contact person in California in collaboration with other key players to set up a minimum of four exchange visit among non-federal government scientists in the region. The Contractor will also provide logistical support (hotel listings and price) for follow up expert visits as stated in the ISC work plan or by the SWFSC contact person.

Period of Performance:

The period of performance is September 1, 2018 to August 31, 2019.

Option Year 1: September 1, 2019 – August 31, 2020

Place of Performance:

The services are to be performed off-site, but the Contractor may be required to visit the NOAA SWFSC in California to attend planning and committee meetings.

Experience Requirements:

The Contractor must have at least 6 years of experience with providing ISC support and workshop coordination services for scientific meetings in the domestic and international arenas. These arenas should include, but are not limited to, Taiwan, Japan, Republic of Korea, the western U.S., Hawaii, and other.