Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project-Environmental Natural Resource Technical Support

Background:

The Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project, was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. The Final Environmental Impact Statement (2019) for the project requires preconstruction oyster surveys of the project area to finalize the mitigation requirements and the identification of mitigation locations(s) with suitable conditions and available surface area to offset the unavoidable impacts to oysters that would result from the project.

Brief Description of Anticipated Work:

The primary objective of this project is to collect and provide information needed to finalize the mitigation plan for the project. Information is needed to quantify the project impacts and assess the suitability of mitigation locations for oyster reef propagation. The survey activities follow the protocols used by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and include the use of electronic equipment and bottom grabs/cores to characterize substrate composition followed by verification of hard bottom targets using divers or hydraulic patent tongs.

a. The surveys should collect all position data with a minimum requirement of using higher level DGPS technologies or RTK GPS that provide sub-meter accuracy.  

i.        Side scan sonar: Data should be collected using a high-resolution side scan sonar system (single or dual frequency 255/400/900 KHz) to identify or detect hard bottom habitat. Side scan sonar results should be ground truthed using grab samples.

ii.        Sub-bottom profiler: Sub-bottom profiler data should also be collected to determine substrate strata type down to a depth of 25 feet. Sub-bottom profiles should be tied to DGPS positional information and analyzed to determine start and stop of soft sediments and surface shell alongside scan survey transects.

iii.        Bathymetric survey: A bathymetric survey should be conducted of the entire project area footprint including the 500-foot radius of the project area.

b. Hard Bottom Verification:

i.        Hard bottom targets should be verified by collecting one-quarter meter square quadrats per acre of hard bottom identified, with each quadrat sample spaced a minimum distance of 150 feet apart.

ii.        Each quadrat verification sample should be collected manually by divers (preferred) or by hydraulic patent tongs comparable to 0.25 square meter sample size.

iii.        All live and dead oyster shell brought to the surface must be enumerated, lengths measured (in 5 mm increments) and recorded in final report using following categories (# Spat (0-1.5 inches = 0-40 mm), # Submarket/Juvenile (1.5-2.9 inches = 41-75 mm), # Market (3.0+ inches = 76+ mm). Both Live and Dead shell must be categorized.

iv.        The number of live and dead oysters per acre of each hard bottom target within the project area and within the 500-foot buffer around workspaces should be determined to provide an estimate of number of acres of all viable oyster habitat impacted or avoided in final report.

c. Use of survey data to quantify project impacts to oyster reef and to employ ecological modeling strategies to identify potential mitigation areas conducive to oyster reef propagation.

d. Report and Documentation

i.        A report with procedures, field data, with a results section summarizing the project impacts and characterization of the suitable mitigation sites.

ii.        Geo-referenced, maps of data collected overlayed with the project footprints.

iii.        Coordinates of all hard bottom targets’ positions referenced in tabular form with GPS coordinates (Decimal Degrees in North American Datum 1983).

iv.        ESRI-compatible (ArcView 9.0+) shape files of bottom types identified in the survey area

v.        Bathymetry figures and ESRI-compatible (ArcView 9.0+) shape file bottom contours

e. The selected PI may be requested to attend 2 to 3, one hour long resource agency meetings which may be attended virtually.

Note: At this time, we are only requesting that you demonstrate available qualifications and skills for performing similar or same type of work. You will be evaluated for request for a proposal based on skills, qualifications and certifications demonstrated in your SOI.

Preference will be given to statements of interest that demonstrate field technicians that have at least five years of experience conducting oyster surveys, conducting substrate characterization, and evaluating oyster reef restoration projects on the gulf coast, as well as a principal investigator that has the ability to synthesize collected field data into a cohesive report, including methods, results, statistical analysis, and management recommendations. Also, preference will be given to statements of interest that propose the use of divers over hydraulic patent tongs for oyster reef verification.

Period of Performance.  The base period of performance is anticipated to be twelve (12) months from date of award with no option periods.

Note: A full study proposal and proposed budget are NOT requested at this time. 

Please send responses or direct questions to:

Sandy K. Justman

Contract Specialist, Fort Worth District Directorate of Contracting

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Phone: 817-886-1073

Email: sandra.justman@usace.army.mil

Greg Bonnell

Regional Planning and Environmental Center (RPEC)

Cell. (918) 951-0591

Gregory.W.Bonnell@usace.army.mil

Timeline for Review of Statements of Interest: RSOI will be posted on www.Grants.gov for 15 days, prior to the Government making a decision and requesting full proposals. Responses due by 5:00 P.M., Central Time, on 5 NOV 2021.