Biological and Technical Support Services - Sunshine Coast and Powell River

1. TITLE

   Biological and Technical Support Services - Sunshine Coast and Powell River

   Contract will be for one year with option to amend for one additional year at the discretion of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

2. BACKGROUND

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) delivers the Community Involvement Program (CIP) with the intent of providing technical support to salmon enhancement projects and habitat enhancement /restoration projects undertaken by local community groups and volunteers

Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires contractors to provide biotechnical support and assistance to CIP indigenous and community groups to ensure CIP projects are carried out in a technically sound manner.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires contractors to provide bio-technical support to CIP projects, indigenous and community groups as defined by the Community Advisors for:

• Sunshine Coast

• Powell River

The Contractor will provide technical support to CIP projects. Note that work priorities can change quickly, often on short notice due to weather, fish availability and other factors beyond the control of the Community Advisor (CA).

3. SERVICES REQUIRED AND CONDITIONS OF WORK

 Bio-technical support is required year round and duties vary by season and geographic area.

The contractor will work independently, responding to community based clients and their projects. This includes good interpersonal, communication and time management skills, reliability and a willingness to work outdoors, in and about water and in isolated areas. 

The contractor will maintain regular verbal and written contact with assigned CAs to inform and advise him/her on the progress of seasonal activities, special problems and other requirements.

Bio-technical services will be defined on a project specific basis through the development of work plan details using the information provided by geographic area in Appendix 1 (Scope of Work)

General contract activities include, but are not limited to:

• Fish Production: Assists CIP projects in all aspects of fish culture and community hatchery management to help projects achieve maximum survival rates and fish health in accordance with Pacific Aquaculture Regulation and DFO’s Best Management Practices manual. The appropriate bio-security measures as laid out in the CIP “Best Management Practices Manual” will be used to minimize the transmission of fish health pathogens within a worksite and between worksites.

• Restored/ Enhanced Habitat: conducting fry salvage programs, riparian planting and management, water quality and temperature monitoring, habitat surveys and mapping, and habitat restoration

• Salmon Stock Assessment: including juvenile salmon counting programs, juvenile salmon density inventories, sampling for biological traits, and adult escapement assessment

• Education and Awareness: hosting educational field trips, assisting with the development and the delivery of educational programs, participating in community events. The contractor will support the delivery of public events considered as a priority by the CIP.

• Administration: providing support to CIP participants on project development and implementation, project funding applications and report writing

  4. RESOURCE REQUIREMENTS

   The Contractor is expected to provide the following resources:

• A vehicle suitable for transporting equipment and accessing field sites (remote and urban) that is adequately insured and the operator has the required valid license.

• Personal field gear

• Cell phone to ensure communication with CA’s and community members.

  5. LOCATION OF WORK

  The majority of the contractor activities are based in the field. The Contractor must be prepared to work outside in all weather conditions, in isolated areas and in and around water. The contractor is expected to conduct the work associated with this contract either at hatchery and field sites or at the contractor’s office.

  A list of work sites for each geographic area is provided in Appendix 2 “Community Involvement Projects.”

  6. LANGUAGE OF WORK

  Services provided under this contract are required in the English Language.

  7. TRAVEL AND LIVING EXPENSES

  There is no travel for this requirement.

8. OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

There is no Intellectual Property for this contract.

9. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor must maintain adequate insurance coverage for the duration of any and all contract work. Compliance with Insurance requirements does not release the Contractor from or reduce its liability under this contract.

The Contractor is responsible for deciding if additional insurance coverage is necessary to fulfill its obligation and to ensure compliance with any applicable law. Any additional insurance coverage is at the Contractor's expense, and for its own benefit and protection. 

10. CONTRACTOR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Contractor is required to maintain communication with the Community Advisor on progress, technical support and equipment needs through progress meetings throughout the duration of the contract. The Contractor is required to consult with the Community Advisor prior to advancing or supporting enhancement, assessment, or restoration initiatives or strategies suggested by CIP partners.

The Contractor is responsible for keeping biological data and activity records collected under the terms of this contract using Word and Excel spreadsheets.

11. FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Community Advisor is responsible for providing community partners with CIP direction, advice and support as it pertains to salmon enhancement activities, and project development associated with salmon stock assessment and salmon habitat enhancement and/or restoration.

DFO will provide necessary gear and equipment needed to carry out associated duties as well as CA support as needed.

The Community Advisor is responsible for providing and approving templates for biological record keeping.

The Community Advisor is responsible for providing some resource materials in support of contract objectives such as the Salmonids in the Classroom Manuals, DFO biological guidelines and policies and equipment that are required to fulfill contract objectives. Details are provided in Appendix 1. 

12. LEVEL OF EFFORT

The level of effort is estimated for each geographic area and project activity in Appendix A-1. Note, estimates are provided with the intent of ensuring flexibility in program delivery; therefore, effort towards a given activity may vary from year to year and will be discussed with the Contractor.