USGS_SOW_Videography_and_Photography_Aleutians_FY25_1.docx

Statement of Work

1. Project Description The Aleutian Arc is a tectonic convergence zone with multiple exploration priorities, including ecologically and economically important seafloor habitats, hazards, and multiple resources including marine minerals, energy, and biological (e.g., fisheries, natural products). Beyond initial exploration, multidisciplinary characterization of these habitats is critical to provide information for effective resource management, hazards avoidance and policy decision-making. The project will 1. Explore/ground truth newly mapped features in the Central and Western Aleutians (e.g., submarine volcanoes, pinnacles, scarps), including possible hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, critical mineral deposits, and seafloor hazards; 2. Characterize water masses (e.g., temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, currents, pH); 3. Describe biodiversity, abundance, composition, distribution, and food-web ecology of associated fishes and invertebrate communities as they relate to oceanographic and topographic features, including age structure, reproductive traits, microbial communities, and connectivity of select DSC and sponges; 4. Utilize environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to characterize planktonic diversity and identify key contributors to carbon export from surface waters that sustain sensitive benthic communities, and build upon publicly available eDNA reference materials for the region.

2. Types of Services Required

Scientific documentation and promotional material for the Aleutians Cruise, sailing from June 10 to July 4, 2025. Materials will include scientific images of samples, content for web and social media, and one (1) 4 to 6 minute overview video of the mission science objectives.

3. Required Expertise/ Skills Demonstrated ability in marine science documentation.

Specialized experience in remote marine environments.

Technological proficiency to produce deliverables.

Ability to produce scientifically accurate content under tight timelines.

Ability to produce scientific images of samples and content for web and social media.

Ability to record documentary-style footage, including interviews with scientists, local representatives, and the RV Atlantis team, as well as outreach events.

Ability to coordinate with USGS scientists and the onboard OER web coordinator for stills and video production.

Ability to produce one 4 to 6-minute overview video in Quicktime ProRes format (or an alternative if specified), including one rough cut for review and one final video with agreed-upon changes.

Contractor must provide all necessary equipment (video/still cameras, drones, 360 video cameras, audio devices, production software) and supplemental materials (music, voice-overs).

4. Deliverables Scientific images of samples and content for web and social media Documentary style footage including interviews with scientists, local representatives and the RV Atlantis team on site and on board ship while it is sailing.

Stills and video production supplied to USGS point of contact.

4-6 minute overview video in Quicktime ProRes or another agreed upon format.

Postproduction services, including editing.

5.Period of Performance:

06/10/2025 to 07/04/2025 Approximately 18 days at sea.

6. Location:

Dutch Harbor Alaska, Aleutians research ship at sea