Task 1: Develop/update Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) as appropriate The Firm shall work with PREP staff and partners to review and modify the most recent version of the Great Bay Estuary SAV Monitoring Program QAPP as needed, available at: https://scholars.unh.edu/prep/470. A draft QAPP should be sent to EPA for approval approximately 3 months prior to the beginning of field work. Quality Control is the dual responsibility of the Firm and PREP. Acceptance of the final data is contingent upon approval by PREP that the project complies with the minimum specifications noted in this RFP and the QAPP. Quality Control procedures include working with the identified Quality Assurance officer to confirm that data quality objectives have been met. Task 2: Collect and process imagery Up to this point, the majority of remotely sensed data has come from airplanes, drones and satellites. We acknowledge that acoustic approaches may also be viable. Applicants are free to recommend any approach that optimizes cost-effectiveness and accurate assessment SAV habitat of the Great Bay Estuary. Results of the assessment, regardless of the methodology used, must be comparable to results of past assessments. In the event that the Firm relies on one or more air flights, the Firm shall design a flight plan and identify proper equipment, permits, and procedures to capture aerial imagery of the “Study Area” according to the QAPP. Imagery collection should be done during low tide and within the growing season (June – October). Weather conditions, sun angle, tidal stage, water turbidity, etc. should be assessed before collection to confirm conditions meet those identified in the QAPP and to maximize the quality of imagery. Primary imagery can be supplemented with other sources (e.g., drone, aerial, and/or satellite imagery) when available and/or needed (e.g., for areas inaccessible by drone in the vicinity of Pease Airport). Imagery should be tied to proper datums and the Firm should perform any necessary distortion corrections. Process and accuracy statements should be documented in accompanying FGDC-compliant metadata where appropriate to ensure that the data quality meets the objectives for the project.
