SOURCES SOUGHT
T -- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: IDIQ for Shorezone Imaging and Mapping Services
- Notice Date
- 4/15/2013
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541360
— Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Region Acquisition Division, 7600 Sand Point Way, Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98115-6349
- ZIP Code
- 98115-6349
- Solicitation Number
- NFFS5000-13-01465
- Archive Date
- 5/14/2013
- Point of Contact
- Crystina R Elkins, Phone: (206) 526-6036
- E-Mail Address
-
crystina.r.elkins@noaa.gov
(crystina.r.elkins@noaa.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. Respondents are invited to provide comments on the content of this request to ensure that, in the event the Government chooses to issue a formal solicitation, every effort will be made to adequately address the scientific and technical challenges described below. As such, responses to this request must be available for unrestricted public distribution. Neither proprietary nor classified concepts or information should be included in any response. The following regulatory guidance applies to this Request for Information (RFI): FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Request for Information (RFI) or to otherwise compensate any interested party for information. BACKGROUND: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) located in Alaska has a requirement for a contractor to video, photograph, map and catalogue geomorphic and biological shore-zone resources at effective mapping scales of better than 1:10,000 for various locations in Alaska specifically, and potentially other coastal areas of the United States. The objective of this requirement will be to: 1. Collect ShoreZone imagery of the Alaska coastline and potentially other coastlines along the United States, 2. Using this low-tide aerial video and still imagery, map the geologic and biological features and enter the data into a georeferenced data base, 3. Complete the necessary inventory and mapping needed for a continuous dataset for the entire coastline of Alaska following the methodology described in the paper "ShoreZone Mapping Protocol for the Gulf of Alaska" (August 2008), 4. A georeferenced GIS database which includes shoreline geomorphology, substrates, and biological habitats is required as indicated by research and management activities by federal, state, and local agencies and by nongovernmental organizations. DESCRIPTION and TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: Respondents are requested to provide information which addresses the vendor's ability to meet the requirements listed below: A. Capability of providing ShoreZone Imagery Collection performed by qualified personnel using state-of-the-art equipment. Contractor shall also be able to meet the following requirements: FIELD SURVEY PLANNING - A field survey plan is developed for each low-tide window survey. The survey is conducted at the lowest daylight tides of the year with tidal elevations of 0.0 meters or lower. Surveys are only conducted in the summer months from May through August in order to ensure mapping of aquatic vegetation. Operating bases are identified, field survey personnel are identified, logistical helicopter support is arranged (including fuel caches where required) and accommodations for the survey crew are secured. The Field Survey Plan is developed in consultation with the contracting officer representative (COR) and should be reviewed by the COR prior to conducting the survey. FIELD PERSONNEL - Typically a crew of four individuals are needed in the aircraft including a coastal geomorphologist, a coastal biologist, an in-flight navigator, and a pilot. When surveys necessitate using a smaller helicopter (such as a Robinson R-44) which only holds three persons plus necessary equipment, the geomorphologist or biologist may also do the duties of the navigator. The coastal geomorphologist is responsible for designing the survey, operating the video camera, and collecting the video imagery to sufficient resolution for ShoreZone mapping system. The coastal geomorphologist provides a continuous audio commentary on the geomorphology including specifics on the substrate character that may not be visible on the videography. The coastal biologist is responsible for working with the geologist to design the survey, operating the still-image camera, and shooting still imagery to sufficient resolution for ShoreZone mapping. The coastal biologist provides a continuous audio commentary on the intertidal biota with emphasis on the biological attributes and biobands used in the ShoreZone mapping system. An in-flight navigator is responsible for ensuring that aerial survey coverage is complete, and that the electronic navigation system is recording on second navigation fixes. FIELD DATA PRODUCTS - The primary products originating from the field program are listed below. As technology changes, data formats change and the suggested specification below are minimum standards. NAVIGATION DATA FILES - provide location of the survey information on second fix marks with associated latitude, longitude of each fix (to four decimal places) and global positioning system (GPS) clock time. The fixes should be collected to differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) standards (horizontal positioning accuracy typically +/- 5m). VIDEOGRAPHY - low-tide, oblique aerial video imagery. Record videography on media that measures at least 530 lines per inch (LPI) resolution with GPS fix (lat/long) and time burned to each image. In 2006, imagery was recorded on miniDV tapes, which meets this standard, but technology is changing. Filming in HD and recording directly to digital video cards may be viable upgrades if previous standards are maintained at a minimum. In addition, GPS information is to be attached to metadata in the form of geotags: (eg. EXIF: Latitude 55, 44' 18", Latitude Reference - North latitude; Longitude 160, 0' 51", Longitude Reference - West longitude) and attributed to Alaska ShoreZone program (EXIF copyright: Alaska ShoreZone CC BY 3.0) via metadata. Record synchronous geomorphological narration on the left audio channel and biological narration recorded on the right audio channel. In the past, miniDV original tapes (originals) were used to create a master set of DVDs and then archived. A preferred upgrade would be all imagery placed on portable hard drives. PHOTOGRAPHY - still photography is collected during the over fights and recorded digitally. Minimum 12 megapixel image quality is required. Other file formats must provide equivalent resolution. Images should frame from above the higher high water line to below the lower low water line levels unless broad, flat habitats preclude this. In these habitats maximize image from center halfway between higher high waterline to below the lower low waterline. Zooms of specific features are occasionally collected. The camera clock is synchronized to the GPS clock so that the exact time of each photo is recorded in the metadata for each image; this ensures that the exact location of each photo is known. Images should be geotagged (eg. EXIF: Latitude 55, 44' 18", Latitude Reference - North latitude; Longitude 160, 0' 51", Longitude Reference - West longitude) and attributed to Alaska ShoreZone program (EXIF copyright: Alaska ShoreZone CC BY 3.0). Photos are transferred to DVD or hard drive (or other storage device) and typically archived by day. On average the target is one photo every three seconds (1,200 photos per hour) or a minimum of 1,000 photos per hour. The number of photos taken per hour varies somewhat with habitat and location. FLIGHTLINE MANUAL - a flight line manual shall be produced to show the flight path associated with each tape or DVD. The path is shown in reference to standard maps (either NTS topographic maps, NOAA charts or electronic shorelines derived from one of these two shoreline). Locations of all photos are shown on the flight line maps. A log is included with each tape to relate geographic features to flight path times and to photo locations. SHOREZONE DATA ANALYSIS AND MAPPING REQUIREMENTS ShoreZone mapping and data analysis requires oblique aerial imagery to be converted to repeatable units or classes of data; the data shall include both spatial representation that fixes the information on maps (i.e., a mapping system) and an attribute representation that classifies data into a discrete number of categories (i.e., a classification system). Both geological and biological attributes shall be mapped and classified with quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) procedures throughout the process. GEOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE MAPPING The geomorphology mapper reviews the imagery, as well as other existing maps and air photos, and marks the shore units onto an electronic shoreline. A shore unit is the primary mapping unit which delineates locations of uniform sediment texture, geomorphology and wave exposure. Shore units may be represented as line segments, points or polygons. Each shore unit is further characterized by the geologist in terms of a collection of across-shore components. The best shoreline must be used to delineate the shoreline. Where there are large deviations in the digital shoreline, adjustments may be made. This shall be noted in the metadata. Each shore unit is further characterized by the geologist in terms of a collection of across-shore components. The across-shore components are geomorphic features, such as cliffs, beach berms, tidal flats, with associated texture characteristics. The across-shore component attributes are entered into the database but are not delineated on maps. The components are described in terms of (a) observed forms and substrates (e.g., a cobble berm), (b) a landward to seaward sequence and (c) the tidal zone in which they occur (i.e., supratidal, intertidal or subtidal). Within a unit, there may be primary, secondary or tertiary components. The Component data is searchable for particular features (e.g., dunes, pebble beach berms, intertidal structures, mudflats greater than 100m in width). BIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTE MAPPING The biota is characterized by a biologist in terms of recognizable and repeatable biotic assemblages that are called biobands. Biobands are attached, epibenthic species, both plants and animals, that are living in the intertidal zone, usually at characteristic across-shore elevations. In most cases, the biobands are named by a single indicator species (e.g., ‘Zostera' bioband) but in some cases a characteristic colour/texture descriptor is used for a combination of indicator species (e.g., the ‘Dark-Brown Kelps' bioband that includes the lower intertidal, chocolate brown, stalked kelps). All of the biobands represent assemblages of biota and are not intended to indicate the occurrence of a single indicator species. Each bioband is classified as absent (not observed in the unit), patchy (occurs within less than 50% of the unit) or continuous (occurs within more than 50% of the unit); biobands are nested within across-shore components. The bioband data are searchable and linked to both Unit and Component data. SHORE STATION GROUND SURVEYS - Shore Station ground surveys provide the opportunity for close-up observations of species and substrates identified during aerial observations and therefore the opportunity to clarify the assumptions made regarding the characteristics of the coastal biobands and geologic substrate during aerial observations. The primary objectives of the shore stations investigations are to (1) obtain specific site information to enhance our knowledge and understanding of mapping classifications in a given area; (2) conduct detailed, site specific observations of substrate, morphology and biota at selected shore locations to better understand coastal processes and ecology; (3) collect detailed physical and biological measurements; (4) collect information on species assemblages to complement the aerial perspective of biobands; (5) document regional differences in the biota present in the biobands; and (6) to make this information publically available by adding it to the existing ShoreStation data on-line. Both geomorphologic and biological information is acquired using the ShoreZone classification definitions provided in the ShoreZone protocol. Across-shore profiles are surveyed for width, elevation, sediment composition, geomorphology, and biota. The data are systematically recorded in Shore Station databases. Field photos are systematically recorded and are linked to the survey notes. Survey profiles are plotted to a common datum. Given sufficient funding the geographic extent of the ground survey should reflect the geographic extent of the aerial survey, should be planned for a similar tide window, and should include each habitat type within the survey area. Sediment samples may be required to be taken at shore stations to archive for hydrocarbon analyses in the event of a local or regional oil spill. Transects will be conducted using the Emery profiling technique. A transect line is laid out perpendicular to the shoreline to measure beach length and slope with descriptions of biotic and geomorphic features recorded at points along the transect. Across-shore profiles are measured to describe details of the geomorphic features at the shore station. Elevations are measured from the uppermost supratidal zone, from the ‘marine limit', as defined by the edge of terrestrial vegetation, across the shoreline to the waterline. See Figure 1 below. All biological species are recorded in the across-shore components and their relative abundance (e.g. rare, few, common, abundant). Complete photo documentation of the beach is a priority and must be georeferenced at a high-resolution. Substrate categories recorded at ground stations in ShoreZone are defined according to the standard size classes and nomenclature of the Wentworth scale. Most substrate definitions are for ‘sediment' substrates and defined by the sizes of the particles (or ‘clasts'). The two substrate types found at the bottom of the list are ‘biogenic' and are formed by biological processes. On surveyed transects at the ground station, the substrate observations are recorded for each interval along the across-shore profile. Combinations of multiple substrates are often observed and are listed on the profile in order of relative abundance. Thin layers or veneers of one substrate or more over top of another can also be observed. These veneers are listed as substrates ‘over' substrates (e.g., boulder, cobble over bedrock). Shore Station data must be presented as a GIS layer. The data base must provide a list of species observed with representative photos. The data base must also have the capability to query the data by region, locale, station, select ShoreZone attributes (habitat class, biobands, etc.), and by species or species groups at a minimum. Data must include fully FGDC compliant metadata files for all ArcGIS feature classes. The ShoreStation datasets shall be combined with the existing datasets and be made accessible to the public on the NMFS website. The contractor shall provide technical support to NMFS for any problems that arise when combining the new datasets with the existing datasets. Currently the Shore Station database houses over 400 ShoreZone Shore Stations that have been visited since 2002 throughout the Gulf of Alaska (including southeast, Prince William Sound, the outer Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak Island archipelago, Cook Inlet, and the Katmai National Park coast) and in Bering Strait, Kotzebue Sound, the Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea. This online database has been designed to provide easy access to Shore Station data via a query able display of stations at local and regional geographic scales and the ability to download species lists and photos. The ground stations are ‘point features' that are spatially linked to the Alaska ShoreZone web enabled database. New data collection must be compatible with the existing data formats. OTHER SHOREZONE PRODUCTS - ShoreZone data can be used to generate products that are relevant to ecosystem, habitat, and fisheries management. The high resolution, attribute rich dataset is conducive to habitat modeling. The dataset is suitable for development of habitat capability models for various fish, shellfish and invertebrate species. It has been used to predict habitat use by green crab and pacific herring and it was used for sea cumber management applications. The landscape scale of dataset also makes it a useful tool for extrapolation of site data over broader spatial ranges. The ShoreZone data was used for management of marine debris. Various applications of the ShoreZone data have been developed for oil spill response. ShoreZone has a public outreach component. NMFS maintains the ShoreZone data online and makes it accessible to the public at no cost. NMFS wants this data to be both physically and intellectually available to the public. Task orders may be issued to provide support for making the data physically and intellectually available to the public. ShoreZone products requested may include the development of habitat capability/suitability models and extrapolation of the data base for specific purposes. Task orders may include: development of oil spill response tools; requests for training, webinairs, or presentations; development of reference manuals; development of training materials; development of ShoreZone publications, brochures, posters, or other informational materials; providing mounted ShoreZone photos; providing additional written reports and special analyses; copies of datasets; technical support for the full ShoreZone dataset maintained by NMFS; and developing potentially new applications of the ShoreZone dataset. In some areas of the state, along the Arctic coast, ShoreZone mapping has been done from existing imagery. The contractor researched the available imagery and collected it from the source. Existing imagery may need to be used for other parts of Alaska as well for areas that are too remote or for areas where a permit cannot be acquired for aerial surveys (potentially Saint George and Saint Paul Islands). Future task orders may also include gathering, analyzing, and mapping ShoreZone habitats from existing imagery. SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION: NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No contract will be awarded on the basis of responses received to this notice. Interested firms should submit, in writing the following: (1) name, address, a point of contact, telephone number, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, and a brief narrative regarding its capability to provide the services as described above; (2) a minimum of 3 examples of current and/or recently completed projects of the same or similar type of service described above. Include projects within the past 3-5 years, a brief description of the project, customer name, customer contact point and telephone number, timeliness of performance, customer satisfaction, and dollar value of the project; (3) State if your company is a Small Disadvantaged Business, HubZone Small Business, or Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business and provide proof of Small Business Administration (SBA) HubZone certification; (4) Indicate whether your firm will submit a proposal for this project, if this project is set-aside for HubZone Small Business,or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business; (5) Indicate all applicable personnel and sub-contractors proposed to work on a contract arrangement. Firms submitting responses shall provide information that validates whether your company can meet the qualification criteria listed above. The capabilities will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining if small business a set-aside is appropriate. The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of firms which can operate in the areas of consideration as specified above. Detailed information must be submitted by email to Crystina Elkins at Crystina.R.Elkins@noaa.gov by Monday, April 29, 2013 at 3:00 pm, local Pacific Standard Time, Seattle, Washington. Questions of any nature may be addressed IN WRITING to Crystina Elkins at the email address noted above. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE HONORED. Submissions should not exceed 10MB since the NOAA email system may reject the message as being too large. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information gathering purposes and does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Respondents are advised that NOAA is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and is not required for participation in any future potential solicitation(s) on this topic. All costs associated with a response to the subject RFI are at the contractor's own expense. Submissions may be reviewed by the Government, including NOAA and partner Federal Agencies and their immediate contractor staff.
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