The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) support services to conduct aerial
surveys for marine mammals in the northeastern Chukchi and western
Beaufort seas, offshore of Wainwright and Barrow, Alaska.
NOAA's
National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science
Center, conducts research on marine mammals. Results of NMML’s
research and monitoring efforts are provided to various domestic and
international organizations to assist in developing rational and
appropriate management regimes for marine resources under NOAA’s
jurisdiction.
The
whales
Gray
whales, bowhead whales, and belugas are seasonal residents of the
northeastern Chukchi Sea and western Beaufort Sea, regions that
provide important feeding grounds and migration pathways for all
three species. All three species are protected under the Marine
Mammal Protection Act, the bowhead whale is granted additional
protection as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA), and bowhead whales and belugas are granted additional
management consideration as the targets of subsistence hunts by
Alaskan natives. Under the National Environmental Policy Act and the
ESA, federal agencies are required to evaluate if and how federal
actions associated with oil and gas exploration, development, and
production may affect these species. Aerial surveys are a standard
methodology for conducting studies of whale distribution required to
understand the effects of oil and gas exploration. In recent years,
there has been increasing interest in using UAS to survey whales in
the Arctic to decrease risk to personnel, increase survey efficiency,
and minimize disturbance of marine wildlife.
“NOAA
is seeking sources capable of supplying and providing support
services for an unmanned aerial system to conduct studies of gray
whales, bowhead whales and belugas,” the agency said in contract
documents released Friday. Contractors supporting the project will
be required to travel to NMML’s
offices in Seattle, Wash., for a two-day kick-off meeting in late
January or early February 2015, and a one day wrap-up meeting in
October, 2015.
In
mid-August, 2015, UAS support personnel will be required to travel to
the port (anticipated to be Dutch Harbor or Nome, Alaska) where the
UAS equipment and support personnel will embark the survey vessel.
The government will provide the contractor’s lodging and meals
while at sea. When operations are completed in mid-September, 2015,
UAS support personnel and equipment will be required to disembark the
survey vessel.
The
contract will run from Jan. 20, 2015, to Oct. 31, 2015, with field
deployment estimated to be from mid-August to mid-September, 2015.
There will be a total of approximately 19 days at sea, with 14 days
in the survey area and five transit days.
Unmanned
Aerial System requirements
- The UAS shall be a fixed wing, propeller driven air vehicle with
demonstrated ability to be launched and recovered
from a 100 foot to 250 foot vessel at sea.
- Capable of operating at cruise speed range of between 40-110 knots.
- Capable of flying at operational altitudes between 500 ft. – 5000
ft. AGL at cruise speeds.
- UAS must have demonstrated flight endurance (at specified cruise
speed, attitude range, and payload weight)
of at least five hours.
Companies
interested in supporting the project should contact NOAA by May 15.
