here - Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean

Request for Proposals
Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Assessment (ROA) Project
Issued April 16, 2015
Purpose:
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean 1 (MARCO) is soliciting project proposals to
conduct a Regional Ocean Assessment (ROA) of the ocean resources in the Mid-Atlantic.
Funding is available for an eight-month project to characterize the Mid-Atlantic Ocean, with a
priority focus on two broad ocean planning goals: Healthy Ocean Ecosystems and Sustainable
Ocean Uses, as defined in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Planning Framework 2 (Framework).
In addition to conducting the assessment, MARCO seeks an innovative approach to deliver the
final ROA report in an attractive and dynamic digital format.
1. Overview of Tasks:
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Develop an ROA that includes a baseline characterization and assessment using the best
available information on ocean uses and resources in the Mid-Atlantic, including a status
description of natural resources, ecological features, maritime activities, socioeconomic
activity, marine infrastructure, and economic, cultural, and ecosystem value. The ROA
should be structured to address the goals and objectives identified in the Framework. The
ROA should be designed to be available primarily in an attractive and dynamic digital
format that can be revised and updated over time, yet is also suitable for printing. It
should include summaries of key information about what is known about the region’s
marine resources and the value derived from those resources, including links to maps,
and further information that describes the environment and human activities relevant to
the subject matter of the Ocean Action Plan (OAP), a document currently under
development by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body 3 (RPB).
The work will be done in coordination with a Steering Committee, including
representatives from the MARCO Management Board and staff, RPB work group
members, and the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal Team.
2. Background:
On July 19, 2010 a Presidential Executive Order established a National Policy for the
Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes 4. To implement this policy, the National
Ocean Council (NOC) released the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan 5 to guide the
protection, maintenance, and restoration of our oceans and coasts. The plan requires federal
agencies to work in a more harmonized, goal-oriented structure with states, tribes, and
stakeholders.
1
http://www.midatlanticocean.org
http://www.boem.gov/Mid-Atlantic-Regional-Ocean-Planning-Framework/
3
http://www.boem.gov/mid-atlantic-regional-planning-body/
4
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-stewardship-ocean-our-coasts-and-great-lakes
5
https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/policy
2
1
As part of a 2009 agreement 6 signed by the Governors of New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
Maryland, and Virginia, MARCO was established to help institute partnerships to better
coordinate, share data, and plan for new and expanding uses in an already crowded Mid-Atlantic
Ocean. These collaborations have laid a strong foundation for regional ocean planning. As a
recommendation of the National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan, the five MARCO states, as
well as Pennsylvania, and federal, tribal, and Fishery Management Council representatives, came
together to form the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB) in April 2013 with the goal to
formally coordinate and implement regional ocean planning within current agency jurisdictions.
The National Ocean Council (NOC) issued The Final Recommendations of the Interagency
Ocean Policy Task Force 7, which calls for the development of a regional assessment 8 to guide
ocean planning efforts and support the RPB’s development of an OAP. MARCO has also
identified an interest in supporting development of a component or multiple components of such
an assessment.
During the RPB in-person meetings (September 2013, May 2014, and January 2015) the RPB
presented information regarding development of an ROA as described below.
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•
•
•
•
An assessment would use scientific studies, maps, web links, video, and information to
characterize the ocean environment and human activities.
It should take into account existing work by states, tribes, federal agencies, and the RPB.
It should be coordinated with and use spatial data and information from the Mid-Atlantic
Ocean Data Portal (Portal) 9.
Regional partners will work collectively to develop a White Paper that can inform the
RPB and will guide the broader and more comprehensive ROA (task will be completed
by May 2015).
An assessment will provide information that complements and supports the work of the
RPB Data Synthesis work group to conduct analyses and develop synthesis products that
characterize areas of ecological importance and the marine economy; and the work of the
Inter-jurisdictional Coordination work group to identify region-wide, as well as specific
geographic area inter-jurisdictional coordination opportunities and actions.
3. Scope of Work and Objectives:
The scope, content, and delivery system of the final product of the ROA should be designed to
support and reflect ocean planning priorities identified in the draft OAP Approach and Outline 10
approved by the RPB, and be structured to address the goals and objectives identified in the
Framework.
The ROA needs to identify, synthesize, and summarize the best available information on
baseline conditions of the ocean. A few examples of ocean baseline characterizations include: the
6
http://midatlanticocean.org/about/marco-overview/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/OPTF_FinalRecs.pdf
8
http://www.data.gov/ocean/ocean-tools
9
portal.midatlanticocean.org
10
http://www.boem.gov/Proposed-Approach-Mid-Atlantic-Regional-Ocean-Action-Plan/
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Baseline Assessment for Massachusetts Ocean Planning Area 11, and the Baseline Assessment for
Regional Ocean Planning in the Northeast United States 12 under development by the Northeast
Regional Ocean Council. In addition, the ROA should consider and incorporate information from
and/or links to, as appropriate, other relevant regional assessment efforts such as NOAA’s
Integrated Ecosystem Assessments 13, The Nature Conservancy’s Northwest Atlantic Marine
Ecoregional Assessment 14, the US Navy Marine Resource Assessments 15, the Northeast Fisheries
Science Center’s Ecosystem Status Report for the Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem 16,
and other relevant federal and state data sources. Relevant socioeconomic information should
include consideration of data and information provided in the National Ocean Economics
Project 17, and the Economics National Ocean Watch 18 , as well as available information related
to fisheries, ports and navigation, marine trades and other ocean uses and users in the MidAtlantic.
The ROA should be designed to be available primarily in a visually attractive and dynamic
digital format that can be revised and updated over time, with summaries of key information
about the region’s marine resources, economies and the value derived from those resources, and
any other information that supports ocean planning in the Mid-Atlantic. Links to data and maps
identified in the ROA should be provided for incorporation into the Portal.
The selected contractor will work closely with a project Steering Committee including
representatives from the MARCO Management Board and staff, RPB work group members, and
the Portal Team, to build upon information already identified and work done, and to coordinate
and integrate ROA information with RBP work group efforts addressing inter-jurisdictional
coordination, data synthesis, stakeholder engagement, and scientific outreach. Specifically,
efforts should be coordinated with the Data Synthesis workgroup and Portal Team related to
relevant spatial information and mapping, and to identify ways that the ROA data and
information can be reflected, linked, and be incorporated into the Portal.
The following list of project elements is intended to assist in guiding project proposals; however,
respondents can propose and justify a different approach that is consistent with and advances the
goals and objectives set out in this RFP. The final project scope and work will be refined and
confirmed after the contractor is identified.
Task 1: Project Planning
• Establish a process for coordination with MARCO and the project Steering Committee.
• Develop a revised detailed work plan, with milestones.
11
http://www.env.state.ma.us/eea/mop/final-v2/v2-ba.pdf
http://neoceanplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Baseline_Assessment_RFP.pdf
13
http://www.noaa.gov/iea/
14
https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationByGeography/NorthAmerica/UnitedStates/edc/reportsdata
/marine/namera/Pages/default.aspx
15
https://www.navfac.navy.mil/products_and_services/ev/products_and_services/marine_resources/marine_reso
urce_assessments.html
16
http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/publications/crd/crd1207/crd1207.pdf
17
http://oceaneconomics.org/
18
http://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/data/enow
12
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Task 2: Initial Data Gathering and Literature Research
• Identify relevant information from existing documents, reports, and assessments
characterizing biological, chemical, ecological, physical, cultural, economic and
historical conditions of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean, including identification of information
gaps and trends.
• Focus data gathering on information related to topics and issues identified in the OAP
Approach and Outline and the ROA work group document draft outline (see outline
presented at the January 2015 RPB meeting; attached to this RFP). Use scientific
literature, government reports, and other authoritative sources for the research.
• Using the best information available, areas of focus may include, but are not limited to:
o Physical and ecological patterns and processes, and predictions of changes to
these patterns;
o Ecological conditions and relative ecological importance within the planning area;
o Economic and environmental benefits and impacts of uses in the region;
o Relationships and linkages within and among ecosystems;
o Distribution and relationship among current and emerging ocean uses;
o Important ecosystem services and their vulnerability or resilience to the effects of
human uses, natural hazards, and global climate change; and
o The future needs of existing, emerging, or proposed uses.
Task 3: Coordination with Existing and Ongoing Efforts
• Work with the Steering Committee to coordinate and collaborate with RPB work groups,
MARCO staff, and Portal Team.
• Attend key RPB, work group, stakeholder, and scientific meetings and teleconferences to
inform development of the ROA and align the ROA with the outcomes of these groups,
as appropriate.
Task 4: Develop ROA Content
• Provide initial draft ROA summaries, narrative, and links to key ecological,
socioeconomic, and other features and conditions identified under Task 2, to support
ocean planning and decision making needs.
• Revise the draft ROA narrative, summaries and link, as needed, to incorporate
information provided and priorities identified through coordination efforts under Task 3,
including input from Steering Committee, RPB work group activities, and stakeholder
meetings.
Task 5: Final Report
• Develop draft narrative of an ROA and digital report(s) including description of
methodology, use and resource maps and information to describe the ocean environment
and human activities.
• Provide the draft and final ROA including narrative summary, laid out for display as
attractive and dynamic digital, online format (suitable for printing), including pictures,
illustrations, maps and links to other information.
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Project Schedule: MARCO was awarded grant funds to support regional ocean planning,
including the development of this baseline characterization and assessment. It is anticipated that
work on this project will start immediately following the completion of a contract and it is
anticipated the delivery of a revised work plan with milestones within the first two weeks of the
contract. We anticipate a phased approach with initial research completed by September 2015, a
draft ROA report by November 2015, and a final ROA report due in January 2016, to support the
draft OAP. Incorporation of additional information and revisions to address input from the
Steering Committee and coordination with RPB work groups under Task 3 will occur from
October 2015 – January 2016.
4. Proposal Guidelines:
Guidelines: The proposal should clearly describe the objectives, rationale, and methodology for
the project, as well as the potential benefits and the qualifications of the investigators who would
perform the work. Proposals should include:
• A Cover Sheet including a brief project title, names, address, affiliation, contact
information (telephone and email), and total project budget.
• A Project Description of up to 5 single-spaced, single-sided pages of text in 11
point font or larger, including:
o Objectives
o Rationale
o Methodological and adaptive approach to project outputs
o Expected outputs of the project and relevance to the regional priorities and
thematic areas identified in this RFP
o Project Schedule and Milestones
o Detailed Budget, including travel allocations for meetings (project
maximum of $100,000)
5. Evaluation Criteria:
MARCO will convene a panel including representative from the Portal Team and the RPB to
review the proposals based on the following criteria:
a. Responsiveness to the objectives and priorities identified in this RFP;
b. Overall clarity of approach and methodology;
c. Budget; and
c. Qualifications of the investigators.
Submission Process and Deadline: Proposals should be submitted no later than 5 PM (ET) on
Friday, May 15th to the attention of Michelle Lennox, Assistant Director of the Mid-Atlantic
Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) via email to MLennox@MidAtlanticOcean.org.
Electronic files must be a single Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format file.
Request for Clarification: Questions and requests for clarifications regarding this solicitation
should be sent to Michelle Lennox at MLennox@MidAtlanticOcean.org. No phone calls, please.
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Potential Regional Ocean Assessment Topics
(as presented at the January 2015 Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Meeting)
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Major Sections Sections
Topics
Sub-Headings/
(Goals/Objectives)
Content
SECTION I
Goal- Healthy Ocean Ecosystem: Promote ocean ecosystem health, functionality, and integrity through
conservation, protection, enhancement, and restoration.
I.1 Biology &
Ecology
Introduction
Habitats
Benthic (sea floor)
Pelagic (water column)
Biogenic Habitats
Hard Bottom
Soft Bottom
Coastal Bays
Continental Shelf
Deep Water
Flora
Marine Algae
Plankton
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation
Invertebrates
Crustaceans
e.g. Blue Crab, American Lobster,
Jonas Crab, Red Crab, other species
TBD
Jellyfish & Comb Jellies
Marine Worms
Mollusks
Sea Stars, Sea Urchins &
Sea Cucumbers
Sponges, Anemones &
Corals
Zooplankton Community
e.g. Surf Clams & Ocean Quahogs,
Oysters, Sea Scallops, Bay Scallops,
Squids, other species TBD
e.g. Deep Sea Corals, other species
TBD
Vertebrates
Bony Fishes
Sharks & Rays
Birds
Demersal: e.g. Sand lance, Summer
Flounder, Black Sea Bass, other
species TBD
Diadromous: e.g. River Herring,
Sturgeons, other species TBD
Large Pelagic Species: e.g. Marlins,
Tunas, other species TBD
Small Pelagic Species: e.g. Menhaden,
Butterfish, other species TBD
e.g. Spiny Dogfish, White Sharks, other
species TBD
Seabirds, e.g. Gulls, Shearwaters,
Gannets, other species TBD
Major Sections Sections
(Goals/Objectives)
I.1 Biology &
Ecology (cont.)
Vertebrates (cont.)
Topics
Birds (cont.)
Mammals
Sea Turtles
I.2 The Ocean
Environment
I.3 Emerging
Issues
Introduction
Natural Conditions and Actions
Currents
Erosion & Longshore
Transport
Upwelling
Water Chemistry
Wind
Physical Features
Barrier Islands
Beaches
Harbors
Under-sea sand waves
Shelf-slope Break,
Submarine Canyons
Continental Shelf
Deep Water
Reefs
Introduction
Carbon Sequestration &
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Warming
Coastal Inundation
Sea Level Change
Water Quality
Invasive Species
Sub-Headings/
Content
Shorebirds, e.g. Plovers, Sandpipers,
Phalaropes, other species TBD
Toothed Whales & Dolphins: e.g.
Sperm Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins,
other species TBD
Baleen Whales, e.g. Northern Right
Whale, Humpback Whale, other
species TBD
Seals
e.g. Green, Kemps’s Ridley,
Loggerhead, other species TBD
Major Sections
Sections
Topics
(Goals/Objectives)
SECTION II
Goal - Sustainable Ocean Uses: Plan and provide for existing and emerging ocean uses in a sustainable manner that
minimizes conflicts, improves effectiveness and regulatory predictability, and supports economic growth.
II.1 National
Security
II.2 Ocean Energy
Conventional Energy
II.3 Fishing
Renewable Energy
Commercial
Fishing for Sustenance
Recreational
II.4 Ocean
Aquaculture
II.5 Marine
Commerce &
Navigation
Maritime Traffic Analysis
Panama Canal Expansion
Post-Panamax Port Issues
Proposed Anchorage Areas
Shipping (Mid-Atlantic Ports)
Short-Sea-Shipping and Marine Highways
LNG as an Import & Export
II.6 Offshore Sand
Management
II.7 Nonconsumptive
Recreation
II.8 Tribal Uses
II.9 Undersea
Infrastructure
Aquaculture
Canoe Journey Routes
Climate Change
Conservation Resource Management
Fishing
Heritage Sites
Submerged Cultural Resources
Subsistence Issues
Traditional Navigation Routes
Whales
Current Undersea Infrastructure
Foreseeable Future Infrastructure