Oyster Reef Development and Restoration RFP

Overview

_NOTE: This grant opportunity is no longer accepting applications._

Oyster Reef Development and Restoration RFP

Bottom Type and Oyster Density Sampling and Mapping: Hudson River from Yonkers (Yonkers Yacht Club) to West Harlem Piers (125th street)

Background

Historically, the Hudson River, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound supported one of the largest oyster (C. virginica) populations in the world, sustaining a rich and diverse community of aquatic organisms. However, by the early 20th century, overharvesting, waterfront development, dredging, and water pollution led to the collapse of the eastern oyster population.

Oyster monitoring studies from the Hudson River near Tappan Zee have shown consistent natural oyster recruitment in the area, suggesting existence of a sufficient natural population to ensure adequate recruitment for successful oyster reef restoration. Studies of the population south of the Tappan Zee have found that oysters are also recruiting in the Lower Hudson and Harlem Rivers, but at lower densities. The first phase of this project will map the bottom type and locations of the remnant oyster populations to facilitate the development of spatially explicit oyster population density estimates and provide insights on locations in the Lower Hudson River (Figure 1) to enhance and expand these existing populations.

Funding

The total budget to implement the data collection, data analysis, and mapping activities described in the Scope of Services and fulfill the project’s reporting and other obligations cannot exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

Eligibility

_We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().
_

Application Details

CHAMPLAIN HUDSON
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST:
PROJECT F. OYSTER REEF
DEVELOPMENT AND RESTORATION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
Bottom Type and Oyster Density Sampling and
Mapping: Hudson River from Yonkers
(Yonkers Yacht Club) to West Harlem Piers
(125th street)
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Notice of Intention to Apply (Optional): November 1, 2024
Proposal Due Date and Time: 5:00 pm on November 13, 2024
Expected Award Notification Date: December 9, 2024
James Lodge
Hudson River Foundation
17 Battery Place, Suite 915
New York, NY
212 920-8290

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
Contents
I. Background and Introduction ..................................................................................................... 3
A. Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET) ................................................................ 3
B. Scope of Services ............................................................................................................. 3
C. Available Budget............................................................................................................... 4
II. Scope of Services ..................................................................................................................... 4
A. Survey Area and Sampling Design ..................................................................................... 4
B. Sediment Grab Samples ................................................................................................... 4
C. Sediment Type and Bottom Characterization ..................................................................... 4
D. Oyster Characterization .................................................................................................... 4
E. Data analysis and Mapping ............................................................................................... 5
III. Deliverables and Timelines ...................................................................................................... 5
A. Required Pre-Survey Planning Documents ......................................................................... 5
B. Deliverables ..................................................................................................................... 5
IV. Qualifications .......................................................................................................................... 5
VI. Evaluation ............................................................................................................................... 6
V. Proposal Submittal ................................................................................................................... 6
References .................................................................................................................................. 7
Figures ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Tables ........................................................................................................................................ 10

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
I. Background and Introduction
Historically, the Hudson River, New York Harbor, and Long Island Sound supported one of the largest
oyster (C. virginica) populations in the world, sustaining a rich and diverse community of aquatic
organisms. However, by the early 20th century, overharvesting, waterfront development, dredging, and
water pollution led to the collapse of the eastern oyster population.
Oyster monitoring studies from the Hudson River near Tappan Zee have shown consistent natural oyster
recruitment in the area, suggesting existence of a sufficient natural population to ensure adequate
recruitment for successful oyster reef restoration. Studies of the population south of the Tappan Zee
have found that oysters are also recruiting in the Lower Hudson and Harlem Rivers, but at lower
densities. The first phase of this project will map the bottom type and locations of the remnant oyster
populations to facilitate the development of spatially explicit oyster population density estimates and
provide insights on locations in the Lower Hudson River (Figure 1) to enhance and expand these existing
populations.
A. Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust (CHET)
The Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission project will install and operate a transmission
cable carrying power from Quebec to a converter station in Astoria, Queens. Certificate Condition #165
of the Order Granting the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (Certificate)
established the $117.13 M Lake Champlain Habitat Enhancement, Restoration, and
Research/Habitat Improvement Project Trust Fund (CHET). CHET is governed by a nine-member
committee, the Environmental Trust Governance Committee (ETGC1). The Hudson River Foundation is
the Trust Administrator.
The Hudson River Foundation and the ETGC are working collaboratively to implement a portfolio of the
“Priority Projects” contained in the Certificate. This RFP is soliciting proposals to implement
components of one of the Priority Projects: CHET Project F. Oyster Reef Development and Restoration.
B. Scope of Services
The Hudson River Foundation seeks a (“Consultant”) to conduct a baseline assessment and mapping of
bottom type and oyster density in the Hudson River from Yonkers in the north to 125th St. in the south
(Figure 1B). A complimentary project, under a separate program of NEWIPCC and the Hudson River
Estuary Program, will collect similar data from Piermont Pier in the north to Yonkers in the south (Figure
1A).
The requested activities (“Scope of Services”) are outlined in Section II. The Scope of Services provides
a condensed summary of the required survey activities. The Consultant is requested to develop and
describe their approach for conducting the surveys, including the sampling gear, the number of
transects, and the number of samples.
1 Adirondack Park Agency, The City of New York, NYS Council of Trout Unlimited, NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of State, NYS Department of Public Service Commission,
Riverkeeper, Inc., Scenic Hudson, Inc., Transmission Dev. Inc., Certificate Holder

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
C. Available Budget
The total budget to implement the data collection, data analysis, and mapping activities described in
the Scope of Services and fulfill the project’s reporting and other obligations cannot exceed One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).
II. Scope of Services
A. Survey Area and Sampling Design
Data collected for this study is intended to be complimentary with data previously collected to evaluate
oyster distributions in the vicinity of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (AKRF 2016a, AKRF 2016b, AKRF 2021,
Princton Hydo, 2013, Princton Hydo, 2015) and data planned to be collected under a complimentary of
NEWIPCC and the Hudson River Estuary Program.
The sampling design should follow a systematic sampling design. The total number of samples that will
be collected within the available budget should be determined by the applicant. The applicant should
describe the rationale and approach used to determine the design. The plan should describe the
proposed number of transects (east – west) from 125th to Yonkers (~ 20 km), including the distance
between each transect line (e.g. 50 transect lines spaced every 400m) and the distance between
samples collected across each transect line spanning the width of the river (e.g. 50m spacing across
the 50 transects averaging 1.7 km in length would result in ~1,700 samples).
B. Sediment Grab Samples
To be consistent with prior work, the applicant should consider collecting the sediment grab samples
with a Peterson dredge with a sample area of 1.0 ft2. If another type of bottom sampler is proposed, the
applicant should describe the expected benefit and overall rationale for the change in gear. A
photograph of the contents of each grab sample should be taken, and the geo-location (GPS) for each
sample and any problems encountered during collection should be recorded.
C. Sediment Type and Bottom Characterization
The sediment grab samples will be used to characterize the dominant sediment type and major bottom
characteristics of the sample.
1. Sediment type will be determined by visual-tactile estimation in the field, following the methods
in the Natural Resources Conservation Service field guide for describing soils (Schoeneberger et
al. 2012), and follow the classification scheme used in the NYSDEC Benthic Mapping Project
(Figure 2) and classified into one of nine bottom types: 1) gravel, 2) muddy gravel, 3)sandy
gravel, 4) mud, 5) gravelly mud, 6) sandy mud, 7) sand, 8) gravelly sand, 9) muddy sand.
2. Bottom characterization will be determined in the field and will describe in detail the contents
of the sediment grab sample. Table 1 extracted from Princton Hydo (2013) illustrates the type of
information that should be recorded for each sample.
D. Oyster Characterization
The number and size (shell length to the nearest mm) of all live oysters encountered should be
recorded.

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
E. Data analysis and Mapping
Maps of the data collected and summary statistics on the oyster data (e,g., size frequency distribution)
should be developed. Raw data and summary tables should be provided in Microsoft Excel. Maps of
bottom type and oyster density should be provided in ArcMap shapefile format, TIFF images, and PDF
files. The maps and associated attribute tables should include the bottom classification scheme
described in section C.1. Metadata files should clearly define the data collected and the collection
methods and procedures.
III. Deliverables and Timelines
A. Required Pre-Survey Planning Documents
The following pre-survey planning documents are required to be completed prior to initiating any data
collection or analysis activities. HRF will issue a “Notice to Proceed” only after the Consultant has
submitted and HRF has approved these two documents.
1. Survey Plan
The Scope of Services (Section II) outlines the survey activities to be implemented under the
project. The Consultant is responsible for reviewing the Scope of Services and proposing the
most appropriate survey design, sampling protocols, and analysis methods.
2. Quality Assurance Plan
The Consultant will develop a Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) that establishes the quality
assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) standards and procedures to be applied to the
collection and analysis of the data under the survey. The QAP must be approved by HRF prior to
undertaking any data collection activities.
Due 4 weeks after signed contract.
B. Deliverables
1. Final Report
At the end of the project, the Consultant will provide a final report and final mapping products,
including the data collected any deviation from the planned data collection or analysis.
2. Data Deliverables
At the end of the project, the Consultant will provide HRF with the complete and final data files
and metadata files.
3. Mapping Deliverables
At the end of the project, the Consultant will provide final maps of the grab sample data
including maps of the bottom type and oyster density.
IV. Qualifications
The Consultant and team members must meet the following qualifications:
1. Demonstrated experience and capacity to successfully implement the full suite of activities
outlined in the Scope of Services.
2. Access to a vessel(s) and field equipment that is suitable to implement the required data
collection activities.

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
3. References that confirm the Consultant’s experience with the activities outlined in the Scope of
Services. The consultant should submit two (2) applicable references, including name, title, and
contact information for each as well as a brief description of the specific services provided.
VI. Evaluation
Proposals should respond to the requirements of this RFP in a straightforward and concise manner.
Proposals will be evaluated based on staff qualifications, experience, technical approach, and cost
effectiveness. All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by a review panel consisting of HRF staff
and relevant experts.
Criteria for proposal evaluation include:
1. Experience and capacity to implement the Scope of Services
2. Cost effectiveness including the total number of samples collected and analyzed.
V. Proposal Submittal
1. Notice of intent to apply (optional, due 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 1, 2024)
HRF welcomes a brief notice of intent to apply, including the expected project lead and primary
team members. Please send the Notice of intent to James Lodge via email to:
Jlodge@hudsonriver.org by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 1, 2024.
2. Questions about the RFP (optional)
You may submit questions about the RFP to James Lodge via e-mail to: Jlodge@hudsonriver.org.
3. Full Proposal (due 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 13, 2024)
Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, November 13, 2024 via HRF’s
proposal portal. https://proposalcentral.com/ProposalGI.asp?SectionID=13272&ProposalID=-
1
The full proposal will contain the following elements:
1. Lead Researcher– Contact information, institutional affiliation, and a 2-page CV.
We strongly recommend that you create your account and update your personal profile
in HRF’s application portal as soon as possible. If your institution is not already registered
in the portal, it can take up to two days to validate that institution. Anyone on your team who
needs access to the proposal (e.g., institution signing official, fiscal officer, grant
administrator, co-PI) should do the same.
2. Key Personnel– Include personnel roles (i.e., Co-PI, Contractor, Subcontractor, or Other
Team Member) and institutional affiliations. Note that 2-page CVs are required for Co-PIs.
3. Proposal Abstract (limited to 1600 characters – approximately 250 words)
4. Research Team (limited to 3200 characters – approximately 500 words)– A description of
the proposed team members. Include a brief explanation of each team member’s expected
contributions. This should convey how each Team member’s individual expertise is suited
to achieve the goals and deliverables of the project.

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
5. Project Description (limited to 3 pages, pdf)– The full project description. The proposal should
be as succinct as possible and should address all the project components described in Section
II, including justification of the proposed survey design, sampling gear, and methodology.
6. Budget and Justification– The projected expenditures and budget justification for each project
component. Instructions on how to format the budget will be included in the proposal portal.
7. Professional References– A list of two (2) applicable references, including name, title, and
contact information for each, as well as a brief description of the specific relationship.
References
AKRF. 2016a. Tier 3 Progress report, Oyster research and restoration plan, New NY Bridge Project. AKRF, Inc.,
New York City. Submitted March 16, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.hudsonriver.org/wp-
content/uploads/2023/05/Tier-3-Progress-Report_March2016-Final.pdf
AKRF. 2016b. Tier 3 Progress report, Oyster research and restoration plan, New NY Bridge Project. AKRF, Inc.,
New York City. Submitted November 30, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.hudsonriver.org/wp-
content/uploads/2023/05/Tier-3-Progress-Report_November2016.pdf
AKRF. 2021. 2020 post-construction oyster monitoring final report. AKRF, Inc. New York City. The Governor
Mario M. Cuomo/New NY Bridge Project at Tappan Zee Oyster Substrate and Water Quality Monitoring.
Retrieved from https://www.hudsonriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/TZB-Final-Report.pdf
Princeton Hydro. 2013. Oyster Density Determination Tappan Zee Bridge Hudson River Crossing Project
Westchester and Rockland Counties, New York, New York. Submitted to: AKRF, Inc. Hanover, Maryland.
Princeton Hydro. 2015. Tier 2 Oyster sampling report, Tappan Zee Bridge Hudson River crossing project,
Westchester and Rockland Counties, New York. Submitted to: AKRF, Inc. Hanover, Maryland.
https://www.hudsonriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PH-Oyster_Tier_2_Report.pdf

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
Figures
Piermont Point
A. Hudson River Estuary Program
Monitoring Survey Boundary
A
Yonkers Yacht Club
B
B. Champlain Hudson Environmental Trust
Monitoring Survey Boundary
West Harlem Piers
FIGURE 1 SAMPLING AREA FOR A. HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY PROJECT AND B. CHAMPLAIN HUDSON
ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
FIGURE 2 BOTTOM TYPE CLASSIFICATION SCHEME FROM THE NYSDEC BENTHIC MAPPING PROJECT

RFP Release Date 10-23-24
Tables
Table 1. Description of Sediment Type from Princeton Hydro (2013) Report