StatementOfWork_fbo.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK/SPECIFICATION

I. BACKGROUND

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requires assistance in the collection of occurrence, group size, and tissue sampling for assessment of population identification and short-term movements of cetaceans in the Mariana Archipelago, as well as occurrence and group size information for other cetacean species in the region. The PIFSC will be conducting shore and small boat-based surveys around Guam, and the southern portion of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in summer 2016 as part of this work.

II. PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this contract is to secure assistance with collection of species occurrence, identification photographs, and biopsy samples, and deployment of satellite telemetry tags during a PIFSC-lead cetacean survey effort in Saipan, CNMI in summer 2016. The PIFSC cetacean program staff will lead the survey effort, including the determination of daily survey routes and priorities. The contractor must provide three skilled cetacean observers and daily vessel charter services to assist PIFSC with this project. The contractor must have previous experience conducting cetacean surveys from small vessels in moderate and poor sea conditions, including driving the vessel during cetacean encounters, as well as experience with collecting location data, providing group size estimates, and collecting behavioral observations of cetaceans. In addition, the contractor must have prior experience in the collection of tissue samples from cetaceans using a crossbow, knowledge of and experience with proper sample handling protocols, and the skills and expertise to deploy LIMPET satellite tags onto medium and large-sized cetaceans.

Personnel requirements: Three skilled cetacean observers are required for this contract. Each observer must have the following qualifications upon arrival for the field project:

· at least three years of cumulative field experience on marine mammals and working from small boats

· ability to identify all common tropical cetaceans to species in the field

· ability to accurately estimate group size

· ability to evaluate cetacean behavior

· experience taking excellent quality identification photographs with digital SLR cameras fitted with up to 400mm lenses

· experience collecting and processing biopsy samples.

In addition, at least one observer must have the following qualifications upon arrival for the field project:

· experience preparing LIMPET satellite tags for deployment, including proper species-specific tag programming, cleaning and sterilization of tag darts, tag assembly, and rifle maintenance

· deploying LIMPET satellite tags onto medium and large-sized cetaceans using an air rifle

Vessel requirements: Small vessels must be chartered on Saipan by the contractor for this project. Small vessels must have the following characteristics:

· be at least 20 feet long, and able to safely carry at least 4 passengers

· capable of maintaining survey speeds of at least 9 kts

· have an endurance of at least 7 hours continuously on the water and range of at least 150km without refueling (i.e. the ability to circumnavigate any of the islands)

· maintain all appropriate safety equipment, meeting Coast Guard and NMFS Small Boat Safety Program inspection requirements

· be configured such that satellite tagging, biopsy sampling and photo-identification can be conducted from the bow while maintaining clear communication with the vessel captain

· some larger vessels inappropriate for satellite tagging, but optimized for better sighting conditions may be considered for occasional use during the survey

Further, it is desirable for vessels to have the following additional characteristics:

· have twin engines for safety and maneuverability

· a flying bridge capable of accommodating at least 3 observers

· maintain good maneuverability around small cetaceans

· allow survey staff to drive the vessel during satellite tagging operations

III. CONTRACT TASKS

A. Tasks

The Contractor will be required to organize small boat surveys in the waters surrounding Guam, Rota, Saipan and Tinian. The Contractor will fulfill the following requirements:

· Work with PIFSC personnel to carry out surveys in Guam and CNMI, including timely communication with designated shore contacts twice daily: before departing and after returning from the survey. .

· Make arrangements with (and pay for) charter vessels that will be used for conducting cetacean surveys

· Provide one qualified marine mammal observer, including payment of associated travel to/from CNMI and lodging, vehicle rental, and M&IE during the survey period, as well as transport of assigned survey gear to Guam/CNMI or between Guam and Saipan.

· When necessary, the Contractor may be responsible for inspecting and driving the chartered vessel and is required to have NOAA small boat certification training

· Be responsible for finding accommodations and making travel arrangements to and while in Guam and CNMI. Accommodations must include internet connectivity for programming satellite tags and checking daily weather reports.

· Collect photo-id data and biopsy samples

· Prepare and deploy up top 25 SPOT5 or MK10 LIMPET satellite tags onto cetaceans

· Process photos per instruction from PIFSC staff

· Process biopsy samples per instructions from PIFSC staff

· Collect acoustic data from select species when opportunities arise.

· Provide limited expendable supplies as needed during the survey (ice for sample storage, line for securing equipment on vessels, etc.) and transport of survey gear between islands.

B. Deliverables

· Contribute to photo data set, including proper file naming scheme, addition of IPTC fields and geospatial data per PIFSC-provided protocol

· Completed and verified sighting data, photo, biopsy, and tag deployment information entered into provided database format

· Biopsy samples processed and properly stored in frozen state for later transport to PIFSC

· Assist with project reporting, including formulation of text, tables, and figures as needed.

IV. GOVERNMENT-PROVIDED AND CONTRACTOR-PROVIDED PROPERTY

The Government will provide the observation equipment required for the contracted tasks above. The Contractor will provide personal effects that might be desired while in Guam and CNMI. The Contractor will obtain accommodations and means of transportation to and while in Guam and CNMI. The Contractor will obtain use of charter vessels for all small boat surveys in Guam and CNMI. When necessary, the contractor will obtain fuel for the small boat surveys. The Contractor will obtain ice for daily storage of biopsy samples aboard the small boat and proper frozen storage of processed biopsy samples.

V. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DELIVERABLES:

The Contractor shall be required to complete and submit all data and samples collected, including a dataset log from the marine mammal surveys throughout operations of the field season. The Contractor will be instructed by the PIFSC on the sampling protocol, on the format of the dataset logs, and also on the schedule for delivering the data and samples.

VI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The contract shall begin on or before April 15, 2016 and end December 31, 2016.

Dates and locations below are subject to change. Such changes may be beyond the control of the Contracting Officer.

1 May 2016- Observers available in Guam or Saipan to assist with survey setup 2-29 May 2016- Conduct small vessel surveys based from Guam, Saipan, and/or Rota 15 June- Provide any data held by the contractor to the PIFSC project manager 30 September- Provide documentation for and review of final project reports

VII. EVALUATING FACTORS

"Best Value" Analysis: In addition to price, proposals will also be evaluated based on the following factors and subfactors with Factor A being the most important.

Factor A -- APPROACH AND CAPABILITIES -- Corporate and individual qualifications for the work; adequacy of equipment, materials and facilities proposed; experience with the types of operations identified in the SOW. This factor includes:

· Extent of familiarity with vessel charter operators and survey conditions in CNMI study areas

· The choice of charter vessels, including information on vessel capabilities, including desirable features listed in Purpose, and the ability to provide proof of NMFS Small Boat Safety Program and USGC inspections before the contract will be awarded.

· Access to appropriate permits to facilitate continuity of surveys and all data collection in the event that PIFSC staff are not aboard the vessel.

Factor B -- PAST PERFORMANCE -- Performance by the offeror and its subcontractor(s) as it relates to all solicitation requirements, including the quality of services and products, timeliness of performance, and customer satisfaction; and indication of ability to improve performance through proactive management. Evaluation of this factor will be based on the information contained in the proposal and information provided by references. The Project may evaluate past performance by contacting references and/or other sources. The Project may also consider other information available.

Although price is the least important evaluation factor, it will not be ignored. The degree of importance of the proposed price will increase with the degree of equality of the proposals in relation to the other factors on which selection is to be based.

The Project reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest priced offer or if the Contracting Official determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Project.

Note that any and all costs associated with proposal preparation, are the responsibility of the contractor.