Coastal Fisheries Data Compilation and Mapping in support of Risk-based Area/Regional Response Planning – Eastern Cape Breton

Procurement Hub – Fredericton

301 Bishop Drive

Fredericton, NB E3C 2M6

August 1, 2017

F5211-170315A `

ADVANCED CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE

TITLE: Coastal Fisheries Data Compilation and Mapping in support of Risk-based Area/Regional Response Planning – Eastern Cape Breton

ACAN:

The purpose of this Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) is to signal the government’s intention to award a contract for these services to Guysborough County Inshore Fisherman’s Association 990 Union St, Canso, Nova Scotia.

Before awarding a contract, however, the government would like to provide other suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate that they are capable of satisfying the requirements set out in this Notice, by submitting a statement of capabilities during the ACAN posting period.

If other potential suppliers submit a statement of capabilities during this ACAN posting period that meets the requirements set out in the ACAN, the government will proceed to a full tendering process on either GETS or through traditional means, in order to award the contract.

If no other supplier submits, on or before the closing date, a statement of capabilities meeting the requirements set out in the ACAN, a contract will be awarded to the pre-selected supplier.

INTRODUCTION:

In fiscal years 2015–17, the Oceans and Coastal Management Division (OCMD) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) contracted the Guysborough County Inshore Fishermen’s Association (GCIFA) for the compilation and mapping of coastal fisheries data to support risk-based Area Response Planning in the Chedabucto Bay response area. Building on the research methodologies for fisheries data and information compilation from this previous work, the Contractor will compile coastal fisheries spatial information in other coastal areas of eastern Cape Breton (see Appendix 1 map). The GCIFA will assume a lead role working with three Collaborators on the mapping project (i.e., the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) Local #6, the North of Smokey Fishermen’s Association, and the Cape Breton Fish Harvesters Association [formerly LFA 27 Management Board]), and will coordinate data compilation with each organization according to standardized methods and reporting templates. Intellectual Property will be owned by the vendor and shared with DFO.

BACKGROUND:

On May 13, 2014, the Government of Canada announced a risk-based Area Response Planning (ARP) approach under the World Class Tanker Safety System (WCTSS) to guide its plan for Responsible Resource Development. Risk-based Area Response Planning was proposed in response to the independent Tanker Safety Expert Panel’s main recommendation in its November 2013 report, “A Review of Canada’s Ship-Source Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime—Setting the Course for the Future.”

The Government, led by Transport Canada, committed to working collaboratively with key marine stakeholders to develop and implement tailored Area Response Plans for the four coastal areas that have highest national levels of tanker traffic. Two of these coastal areas are located in DFO Maritimes Region:

Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia and adjacent areas; and Saint John and the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick.

Oil spill preparedness and response activities in these areas will take into consideration coastal geography, environmental sensitivities, and traffic volumes, and will ensure the appropriate spill cleanup equipment is in place and readily available.

This initiative will draw on Indigenous and marine stakeholder participation to strengthen spill preparedness and response plans. Coastal data and information compiled through public input will support Environment Canada’s national environmental emergency system and response organizations involved in spill response. Data and information may also be used with permission for other purposes in support of integrated oceans management, including environmental assessments, integrated fisheries management plans, and marine conservation.

On November 7, 2016, Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) was announced. The OPP extends the environmental response approaches outlined in the WCTSS, including increased capacity for regional response planning and working closely with Indigenous and local communities to assess risks and respond quickly to marine emergencies and pollution incidents.

OBJECTIVES:

The Contractor will compile coastal fisheries spatial information in a Cape Breton coastal area: Fourchu in Richmond County, Cape Breton, north to Dingwall, Asby Bay, in Victoria County. Coastal fisheries data and information include the following:

1. fishing area extent / distribution and intensity by species, species category and gear type;

2. economically important fishing areas by species, species category and gear type;

3. ecologically sensitive fish spawning areas by species and species category; and

4. ecologically important juvenile fish habitat areas by species and species category.

Along with similar relevant data and information, the deliverables of this contract will be used by DFO to develop a digitized geographic information system (GIS). This will support the development of a coastal fisheries geodatabase for use by emergency response organizations, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s national environmental emergency management system, and in support of integrated oceans management.

WORK REQUIREMENT:

1.0 Activities

1.1 Lead the coordination of data and information compilation using standardized criteria and methods used previously in the 2015–2017 contract work and research plan to achieve project objectives. The Contractor will ensure that agreed data compilation methods and reporting standards as prescribed by the GCIFA Research Plan are followed by the other two Collaborators, including the use of survey questionnaires for local ecological knowledge and reporting templates.

1.2 Liaise collaboratively with the MFU Local #6, the North of Smokey Fishermen’s Association, and the Cape Breton Fish Harvesters Association on data compilation from Fourchu, Richmond County to Dingwall, Victoria County and adjacent coastal areas (out to 12 nautical miles), and with other groups as determined by the Contractor, with input from the Project Authority.

1.3 Plan meetings with industry collaborator associations.

1.4 Write progress reports.

2.0 Tasks and Deliverables

2.1 Perform all project management aspects, including leading, regulating, and ensuring the consistency of data compilation activities for all coastal areas. Act as a resource for the other Collaborators working on the project. Advise DFO immediately of any potential matters affecting the project’s success, including recommendations for mitigation. Implement solutions as necessary and/or as required by DFO.

Deliverable: An informal progress management report will be provided to DFO on a monthly basis and more often, as necessary.

Deadline: December 31, 2018

2.2 Develop standard research plan surveys for use by GCIFA staff.

Deliverable: Standardized, replicable survey templates.

Deadline: 30 days from Contract Award

2.3 Compile field data information along the Cape Breton coast following criteria provided by the GCIFA research plan. Information to be gathered will include:

• fishing area extent / distribution and intensity by species, species category and gear type;
• economically important fishing areas by species, species category and gear type;
• ecologically sensitive fish spawning areas by species and species category; and
• ecologically important juvenile fish habitat areas by species and species category.

Deliverable: Excel spreadsheets using a reporting template to be provided by GCIFA.

Deadline: 90 days from Contract Award

2.4 Conduct interviews along the Cape Breton coast using a standard research plan survey collection form. Ensure that personal consent forms are completed and signed for each interview held. Document consensus on data input and non-consensus / outlier opinions.

Deliverable: Report of survey process used to compile data and consents using GCIFA reporting template.

Deadline: 150 days from contract award

2.5 Hold data compilation and validation meetings along the Cape Breton Coast.

Deliverable: Report of data compilation and validation meetings

Deadline: November 30, 2018

2.6 Make a presentation at the 2018 FSRS Annual Conference on the data compilation and mapping results.

Deliverable: Provide a draft copy of the presentations to the Project Authority. Make any suggested changes as directed by the Project Authority.

Deadline: No later than ten (10) business days prior to the 2018 FSRS Annual Conference. Should there be a delay in the scheduling of the Conference, the materials will be provided no later than February 28, 2018.

2.7 Prepare and format tabular and hardcopy map data compiled by GCIFA. Develop spatial data and associated attributes to be compiled to support mapping.

Deliverable A:

Compiled data and information reports submitted in tabular format (e.g., Excel spreadsheets).

Deliverable B:

Consolidated hardcopy maps of the coastal area in a format ready for digitization to a Geographic Information System (ArcGIS). Full documentation for interpretation and transcription to GIS and geodatabase development must be included for the coastal area. Data attributes for each unique area will include the following:

• Number ID
• Name
• Extent Description
• Area Intensity Ranking Description
• Lat/Long Coordinates
• Species Description
• Species Category Description
• Gear Type Description
• Temporal Activity Descriptions
• Importance Ranking Description
• Sensitivity Ranking Description
• Habitat Description; and
• Other Comments.

Deadline: December 31, 2018

2.8 Consolidate tabular and hardcopy map data for the production of GIS data layers.

Deliverable: Compiled data and information reports submitted in tabular format (e.g., Excel spreadsheets). Consolidated hardcopy maps of the coastal area in a format ready for digitization to a Geographic Information System (ArcGIS).

Deadline: December 31, 2018

2.9 Respond to follow-up queries from DFO OCMD staff in Year 2 (2018-2019) to finalize GIS data layers in geodatabases.

Deliverable: Respond to requests from DFO within two (2) business days.

Deadline: March 15, 2019

RESOURCES AND LEVEL OF EFFORT:

 Monthly conference calls and/or meetings

At a minimum, monthly conference calls and/or meetings will be held with the Project Authority and GCIFA to discuss progress and provide input on results and proposed next steps.

 Progress reports:

Two progress reports will be provided, one each in March 2018 and September 2018. Each progress report shall contain the following information: status of project implementation, number of interviews conducted and meetings held, data compilation issues, and a summary of consensus on data input and non-consensus / outlier opinions.

Conference presentations:

The Contractor will make a conference presentation on the data compilation and mapping results at the FSRS Annual Conference in February 2018. The dates of the conference will be provided to DFO no later than forty-five (45) calendar days in advance.

ESTIMATED VALUE

The total value of the contract shall not exceed $83611.78 excluding all applicable taxes.

TRADE AGREEMENTS APPLICABILITY OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS:

No Trade Agreements apply.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS REGULATIONS EXCEPTION AND LIMITED TENDERING REASONS:

The following policy requirements are applicable to this ACAN process:

Applicable Exceptions to Soliciting Bids under the Government Contracting Regulations (GCRs) (Section 6):

Section 10.2.1 Section 6 (d) only one person or firm is capable of performing the work applies to this ACAN for the following reasons:

• There are no known alternative sources of supply. It is feasible and affordable to compete the requirement.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has determined that any intellectual property rights arising from the performance of the Work under the resulting contract will belong to Canada on the following grounds: Exception 6.4.1 – The main purpose of the contract, or the deliverables contracted for, is to generate knowledge and information for public dissemination.

CONTRACT PERIOD:

The contract period is estimated to be from the date of contract award to 31 March 2019. The data shall be delivered by December 2018 and the contractor will be available to respond to questions regarding the data up till 31 March 2019.

SUPPLIER’S RIGHT TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:

Suppliers who consider themselves fully qualified and available to provide the services described herein, may submit a Statement of Capabilities in writing to the Contracting Officer identified in this Notice on or before closing date. The Statement of Capabilities must clearly demonstrate how the supplier meets the advertised requirements.

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING STATEMENT OF CAPABILITIES:

15 August 2017 at 2:00 p.m. (ADT)

Inquiries and statements of capabilities are to be directed to:

Vicki McEwan

Team Lead – Contracting Services

Procurement Hub – Fredericton

Telephone: (506) 452-4065

Email: DFOtenders-soumissionsMPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca