CLOSED: Professional Services West Coast Groundfish Observer Program RFP

Posted on October 15, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

Managers of the West Coast groundfish fishery need reliable information on discarded catch in order to assess and account for total fishing mortality and to evaluate the effectiveness of management measures, including rebuilding plans for depleted stocks. During the past decade, trip limits for West Coast groundfish vessels have been substantially reduced, and trip limits have been applied to increasing numbers of species. If discard mortality is higher than currently projected, then overall fishing mortality rates will likely be higher than sustainable levels. Without current and ongoing information on the levels of catch and discard in the fishery, managers may be either overfishing or missing harvest opportunities by wide margins.

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), in cooperation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), wishes to obtain the services of approximately forty (40) at-sea fishery observers to work on vessels off the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. The vessels designated to carry observers will be selected by NMFS, and will be required to carry those observers while fishing for groundfish during the assigned period. The observers will work at the direction of NMFS field program coordinators. Observers will collect scientific, management, and other data through on-board interviews of vessel captains and crew, observations of fishing operations, measurements of selected portions of the catch and fishing gear, and collection of samples. While at sea and before the conclusion of each deployment, observers will follow the procedures detailed in the West Coast Groundfish Observer Manual to obtain data and collect samples. Observers will record data on appropriate forms or enter data electronically using a laptop computer provided by NMFS or PSMFC. Observers will be debriefed approximately once every 2 months. The database will be used to prepare reports for use by state, commission, fishery management council, and federal fishery biologists and managers.

Q&A Responses – posted 11.9.2010

Original posting date: 10.15.10

CLOSED: Editing Assistance for Watershed Assessment Plans RFQ

Posted on August 1, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

The Pacific States Marine Fisheriess Commission is requesting quotes for qualified individuals to assist PSMFC staff with editing watershed assessment plans.

Original posting date: 8.1.11

CLOSED: West Coast Governers’ Agreement on Ocean Health Action Plan RFP

Posted on July 1, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

In 2006, the Governors of California, Oregon and Washington announced the West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health (WCGA). The Agreement launched a new, proactive regional collaboration to protect and manage the ocean and coastal resources along the entire West Coast, as called for in the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission.

The Agreement seeks to advance the goals of:
(1) ensuring clean coastal waters and beaches;
(2) protecting and restoring ocean and coastal habitats;
(3) promoting the effective implementation of ecosystem-based management;
(4) reducing adverse impacts of offshore development;
(5) increasing ocean awareness and literacy among residents;
(6) expanding ocean and coastal scientific information, research, and monitoring; and
(7) fostering sustainable economic development in our communities.

The Agreement also underscores the importance of managing activities that affect our oceans on an ecosystem basis. That is, managing human activities and their impact on ocean resources in a way that accounts for the relationships among all ecosystem components, including people and other species and the environment in which we live. In addition, the states committed to the development of an action plan http://westcoastoceans.gov/docs/WCGA_ActionPlan_lowest-resolution.pdf with specific actions to address the seven priority areas, which was completed in 2008. Each of the seven priority areas identified in the agreement is addressed in a separate section within the action plan. Following the release of the Action Plan in 2008, ten Action Coordination Teams (ACTs) were formed to develop work plans for implementing the Action Plan. The ACTs are composed of representatives from each of the three states, federal government, tribal governments, academia, industry, and non-profit organizations. Eight of the work plans were finalized in May 2010 and the remaining two drafts will be released for public comment Summer 2010 (work plans are available at http://westcoastoceans.gov/teams/).

Original posting date: 7.1.2010

CLOSED: Midwater Trawl Vessel Needed to Conduct a Research Project Testing a Bycatch Reduction Device in the Pacific Whiting Fishery off Central Oregon RFP

Posted on March 8, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) intends to charter a stern trawling fishing vessel engaged in the Pacific whiting fishery to participate in a fisheries research project testing a Bycatch Reduction Device (BRD) designed to reduce Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and rockfish, Sebastes spp., bycatch. This project will be a collaborative study between the PSMFC, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the west coast Pacific whiting fishing industry. PSMFC and NMFS will be responsible for designing the project and providing any supplies needed to modify the BRD for the experiment. PSMFC and NMFS will provide all scientific equipment. This research charter will be conducted over two chartered trips totaling no more than 8 to 10 days at sea: one prior to the opening of the shore-based sector of the Pacific whiting fishery, and the other after the closure of the shore-based sector of the Pacific whiting fishery. One chartered vessel will be required. The actual days at sea are subject to change based upon weather, sampling logistics, and/or contingencies. Mobilization and demobilization will be conducted in Newport, OR. The mobilization time is necessary for completing the following: (1) loading gear, (2) planning use of deck space, (3) setting up electronics, and (4) orienting the scientific crew with the vessel. The demobilization time frame will include offloading and packing of scientific gear brought aboard the vessel for the project.

Original posting date: 3.8.2010

CLOSED: Director, Collaborative Fisheries Research Organization RFP

Posted on February 4, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) seeks a skilled, creative, and ambitious contractor to serve as the Director of a newly created Collaborative Fisheries Research (CFR) organization. The CFR organization is a partnership between PSMFC, California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) and the California Ocean Protection Council (OPC).
The CFR organization will be a venue for commercial and recreational fishermen, academic scientists, coastal managers, tribes, non-governmental organizations, and funders to come together to prioritize and provide grant funding to support existing and emerging fisheries management and ecosystem evaluation data needs. The intent of the collaborative projects is to form fishermen/scientific/management partnerships that will collect data necessary to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the Fish and Game Commission (Commission), the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the OPC.

The Director will work to establish the CFR organization that will support and coordinate collaborative research projects and programs throughout California, with the possibility of expanding throughout the West Coast in the future. The Director will undertake extensive outreach to develop and foster new partnerships, identify program priorities and seek new funding sources. The position provides a unique opportunity to play a leadership role and pioneer innovative approaches in fisheries research and local and regional management.

Original posting date: 2.4.2010

CLOSED: Big Sur In-stream Flow Assessment RFP

Posted on January 18, 2010 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

Task 1. Big Sur River Lagoon Assessment

The contractor shall complete an assessment of the lagoon which includes: bathymetric mapping (using semi-permanent transects) to track changes in water volume and water quality monitoring to assess seasonal or annual changes in major water quality parameters. Additionally, fish sampling will be conducted using direct observation to assess use of the lagoon by steelhead and other species. The lagoon work is intended to supplement and be coordinated with an instream flow investigation in the mainstem Big Sur River and tributaries being managed by the California Department of Fish and Game.

Timeline: March 1, 2010 – December 11, 2011

Deliverables: Progress reports, final technical report outlining methods, study results, raw data, and data discussion/interpretation of the Big Sur River lagoon assessment activities, other budget and management information as necessary.

Task 2. Steelhead Habitat Suitability Assessment

The contractor will assess steelhead spawning, rearing, and incubation lifestages from a habitat selection standpoint by identifying and documenting the depths, velocities, substrate composition, cover, embeddedness, and other parameters preferred by steelhead lifestages under currently degraded conditions, and as the system recovers (for length of agreement). A study plan will be provided to and approved by the Department prior to starting this task.

Timeline: March 1, 2010 – September 30, 2012

Deliverables: Approved study plan, progress reports, and final summary report outlining methods, raw data, and discussion/interpretation of steelhead habitat suitability assessment task, other budget and management information as necessary.

Attachments:

References Form

Original posting date: 1.18.10

CLOSED: Experimental Evaluation of Protocols for Eliminating Live Dreissenid Mussel Larvae and Adults from Recreational Watercraft RFP

Posted on September 23, 2009 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

As state and regional organizations attempt to enhance efforts to prevent the continued spread of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in the West, uncertainty remains about protocols intended to eliminate live larval and adult mussels from contaminated watercraft. In September 2009, the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species (WRP) adopted the “Recommended Uniform Minimum Protocols and Standards for Watercraft Interception Programs for Dreissenid Mussels in the Western United States.” The protocols and standards recommended in this document are directed at preventing the inadvertent transfer of quagga/zebra mussels from areas where they are currently present to unaffected waters on trailered watercraft and equipment, and largely rely on use of hot water and pressure washing equipment to kill and remove all visible mussels (live and dead) and veligers from all areas of the watercraft, engine, trailer, and equipment. The document also highlights the need for research to determine the effectiveness of current decontamination strategies.

Original posting date: 9.23.2009

CLOSED: Statistician Services for Albacore Catch per Unit Effort Study RFB

Posted on September 10, 2009 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

This project focuses on sampling of the recreational for‐hire fleet targeting North Pacific albacore and other highly migratory species (HMS) from ports on the U.S. west coast. The objective of the project is to design a data collection pilot program that would employ onboard observers, enhanced dockside sampling, or a combination of both to determine what long‐term modifications to current sampling programs would be necessary to produce more reliable estimates of catch and effort from the fleet.

Analysts with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southwest Fisheries Science Center have identified the west coast HMS for‐hire fleet (also called the Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel (CPFV) fleet) as a potential data source to develop a consistent and reliable index of relative abundance for North Pacific albacore tuna, which could represent a valuable addition to data for stock assessment.

The first phase of the project will involve a review of existing programs to determine the utility of the current database and to identify what additional data might be needed along with developing alternative strategies for collecting it. Since HMS for‐hire trips tend to depart and return from port outside of regular sampling hours, they are not sampled by state marine recreational survey programs at the same coverage levels as other recreational trips on the coast. Because of this coverage issue, current catch and effort estimates produced by the state marine recreational survey programs in Washington, Oregon, and California may not provide a sufficiently complete sample for developing an index of abundance.

In addition to the state survey programs, there is a logbook data collection program that has been mandatory since 2005. The logbooks collect catch and effort data from the for hire fleet, but there are questions about the completeness and accuracy of the data which is obtained. To date, the information from the logbooks has not been used in any manner by the stock assessment scientists.

The results of the analysis of existing programs will be used to develop a pilot sampling program to collect the data needed to test hypotheses about alternative potential enhancements to current sampling programs. The pilot program would help identify what enhancements to current data collection would be needed to develop the abundance index, and whether there is a cost‐effective way to collect this additional data.

Original posting date: 9.10.09

CLOSED: PSMFC Employee Benefits Broker Services RFP

Posted on August 10, 2009 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit offers from qualified insurance brokers to provide brokerage and consulting services for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Employee Benefits program. Such services will include, but not be limited to: (1) reviewing and advising on appropriate insurance coverage; (2) marketing and placement of insurance; (3) reviewing vendor contracts and evidence of coverage; (4) coordinating with other PSMFC benefits providers; (5) acting as a liaison and an advocate for PSMFC with insurance companies; and (6) developing and producing communications materials.

PSMFC’s employee benefits philosophy is to address employee wellness and preventative medicine. As such, the selected broker must be able to identify insurance providers who adhere to this philosophy and provide services accordingly.

Current PSMFC benefits include a self-funded health plan (medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage administered by Principle financial); group life, AD&D and Long Term Disability insurance administered by Lincoln Financial; a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for medical and family care expenses administered by Manley Services; a Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP); and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Cascade Centers. At this time, PSMFC would prefer to continue to offer the same level of benefits for its employees.

Q&A Responses – posted 8.26.09

Supporting Documents:

PSMFC Benefits Summary

PSMFC Benefits At-A-Glance

Original posting date: 8.10.09

CLOSED: Vessel Needed for Testing Bycatch Reduction Device in the Pink Shrimp Fishery Off Central Oregon RFP

Posted on July 28, 2009 by psmfcadmin

Submission deadline passed.

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) intends to charter a double-rigged shrimp trawling fishing vessel to participate in a fisheries research project. The project will be in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)/Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). PSMFC, NMFS, and ODFW will be responsible for designing the project and providing any supplies needed to modify the vessel’s groundlines for the experiment. PSMFC, NMFS, and ODFW will provide all scientific equipment.

Original posting date: 7.28.09

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