Request for pre-proposals to conduct a literature review characterizing the environmental contaminants that may affect southern sea otter populations (RFP-02-01)

MONTEREY BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN)

September 5, 2002

TO: Scientific Community and Interested Parties

SUBJECT: Request for pre-proposals to conduct a literature review characterizing the environmental contaminants that may affect southern sea otter populations (RFP-02-01).

The Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) will fund a contract for research to characterize environmental contaminants within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), and particularly within Elkhorn Slough, that may affect the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis) population. During the 18th and 19th centuries the fur trade greatly reduced the abundance and distribution of sea otters. Southern sea otters are listed as a threatened species and federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. However, the recovery of sea otter populations in central California has been slow relative to populations in northern parts of the range. The effects of chemical contaminants (e.g., PCB, DDT, TBT, and mercury) on sea otters are poorly known but may contribute to the slow recovery of the southern sea otters in central California. A complete understanding of the contaminants and their current concentrations in habitats used by the otters is lacking.

With the goal of gaining insight into a critical issue facing this important species, SIMoN is requesting pre-proposals for efforts to characterize environmental contaminants present in sea otter habitats that may affect population recovery, synthesize existing data on contaminant concentrations, and map their distribution. It is expected that this new effort will: (1) produce an extensive review of the literature, (2) synthesize existing data on contaminants to provide a comprehensive map of their distribution in the Sanctuary, and (3) analyze and integrate historic and recent data sets on contaminant loads found within the water column, sediments and prey species of habitats utilized by sea otters.

Pre-proposals (3 pages or less) describing the intended research must be received by the SIMoN office by 5:00 PM October 4, 2002. Each pre-proposal must contain:

1. A clear statement on the type of work to be performed (including literature database searches, analyses, and mapping methodology),
   
   
2. A statement describing how the proposed work will be integrated with other ongoing efforts and how it will integrate historic data sets,
   
   
3. A list of products,
   
   
4. A brief description for how results may address management needs of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary,
   
   
5. A brief description of the qualifications of all primary investigators and level of student involvement, and
   
   
6. A budget outline.

It is recognized that different strategies and approaches can be used to address the identified goals. Pre-proposal reviewers will be open to any and all sound scientific approaches that will lead to successful completion of the tasks. It is important that experienced professionals or graduate students under the direction of a qualified researcher with experience in similar studies conduct the research. Cross-disciplinary collaborations among several research groups with varying expertise and linkages with other regional research and monitoring programs are encouraged.

Work products to be provided in a timely manner may include, but are not be limited to: descriptions of materials and methods; maps; data files; statistical summaries; literature reviews; periodic progress reports; and a comprehensive final report. This information will be integrated and disseminated through the SIMoN program for a broader ecosystem understanding of the MBNMS. It is also expected that results from this work will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

MBNMS staff will evaluate all pre-proposals for those that properly address the goals of this particular program and the overall SIMoN effort (http://montereybay.nos.noaa.gov/ research/simon.html). On or before October 11, 2002, pre-proposals that meet these criteria will be provided with full proposal guidelines and asked to submit full proposals describing the details of their work. Full proposals will then be due by November 21, 2002.

Full proposals will first be sent out for a thorough and objective review to scientists who are experts in the particular fields represented in the proposal. External reviewers will be asked to score the proposed activities based on scientific merit, feasibility and broader impacts of the work. MBNMS staff and the SIMoN Science Committee will then evaluate proposals and external reviews for their ability to provide the specific information needed for resource management decisions and a broader, long-term understanding of the Sanctuary. Authors of the successful proposal will be notified by January 15, 2003. In addition, prior to the start of work, SIMoN staff will negotiate specific terms of the contract, including summary data of work in progress and similar materials that will be quickly disseminated by SIMoN and MBNMS staff.

The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation anticipates funding for this project in the range
of $20,000 over one year to complete the work. Full proposals will be asked to provide detailed budgeting information including a proposed quarterly payment schedule. A maximum of fifteenpercent (15%) of project funds may be used for institutional overhead and fees.

Submit pre-proposals electronically as PDF (preferred) or Word files. Print copies are
also acceptable. Questions and the pre-proposal should be directed to:

Dr. Steve I. Lonhart
Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
299 Foam Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Office: (831) 647-4222
Email: Steve.Lonhart@noaa.gov

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) is the nation’s largest marine sanctuary, encompassing over 5,300 square miles of coastal waters off central California. Created in 1992, and managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the mission of the MBNMS is to understand and protect the coastal ecosystem and submerged cultural resources stretching from the Marin Headlands north of San Francisco to
Cambria in San Luis Obispo County.

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network
The Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) has been developed by the MBNMS, in partnership with the regional science and management communities, to better understand the local marine environment and to identify and track natural and human-induced changes to resources and processes within the Sanctuary. The SIMoN program utilizes existing data sets, supports and augments current research/monitoring efforts, and initiates new efforts to
address important gaps in our knowledge. SIMoN will also serve as a hub to integrate and disseminate regional monitoring information.

Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation
The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Foundation (MBSF) is an independent nonprofit organization established to advance the understanding and protection of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Founded in 1995, the organization performs two roles: provide fiscal sponsorship and management services to augment Federal activities; and generate funds for MBNMS related projects. The Foundation is organized to solicit and administer grants, donations and other revenues in support of Sanctuary programs. The MBSF is operating under an agreement with the Sanctuary to manage the SIMoN program and will administer funds that are designated for new monitoring efforts. Successful SIMoN proposals will therefore enter into a contract with the MBSF to conduct the monitoring work required.