NOTICE OF REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS
NRCS EQIP Oyster Monitoring
Please be advised that the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in collaboration with the Rhode Island (RI) Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is seeking to qualify persons as potential contractors for oyster monitoring services that are required for the evaluation of restoration activities supported by the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Oyster Reef Restoration Initiative.
The monitoring will occur at EQIP oyster reefs located in Winnapaug Pond, Westerly; Quonochontaug Pond, Charlestown; Ninigret Pond, Charlestown; Potter Pond, South Kingstown; Bissel Cove Area, North Kingstown; Portsmouth Beach, Portsmouth; Town Pond, Portsmouth; and Great Salt Pond, New Shoreham (Block Island). A brief overview of the required monitoring aspects is contained in the attached “EQIP Oyster Restoration Project Monitoring Requirements Job Sheet”. More details can be found in the Rhode Island Oyster Restoration Minimum Monitoring Metrics and Assessment Protocols (also attached). Further information concerning the specific obligations required to be performed as part of the oyster monitoring services are available from Gary Casabona (NRCS) at Gary.Casabona@usda.gov.
Individuals who wish to be qualified as potential contractors should submit a letter of interest and resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to Melissa Hayden (NRCS) via email at Melissa.Hayden@usda.gov before 4:00pm (ET) on Friday, October 8, 2021. Applications should clearly convey prior experience conducting scientific surveys via SCUBA, analyzing biological data using standard scientific and statistical approaches, summarizing results in scientific technical and monitoring reports or publications, and managing and displaying spatial data using GIS software, as well as SCUBA and other professional certifications. Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of representatives from NRCS and DEM DMF.
Please note that persons who have been previously qualified and wish to remain on the list of qualified contractors need only send an email to Melissa Hayden at the previously stated email address indicating their continued interest to participate in the Initiative.
Thank you.
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