Funding Opportunities
*CLOSED: RFP (Request for Proposals)
Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Feasibility Study of All-Hazards Indices Expansion
Issue date: January 3, 2023
Due Date: March 6, 2023
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) is soliciting proposals for Technical Support that will explore expansion of the scope of Environmental Sensitivities Indices (ESIs) into a broader all-coastal hazards tool (identified in the Project Scope of Work herein).
The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) product was developed by NOAA to support planning for and responding to coastal oil spills. ESI maps and datasets are based on an index of shoreline types, ranked in order of their sensitivity to oil and chemical spills. This index was the original basis of ESI maps and has been a standard for industry and responders ever since. Data is also gathered to show biological resources and human-use resources at risk in a coastal area, displayed along with the indexed shoreline types.
Many states have adopted the ESI concept and created their own products for oil spill planning and response, often following NOAA’s ESI Guidelines. NOAA OR&R is interested in expanding the scope of ESIs into a broader all-coastal-hazards tool. Expanding the content covered in ESI products will enhance the tool as a “one-stop shop” for coastal planners and emergency responders. The desired outcome is that future NOAA ESI data will be useful for broader coastal hazard planning and response by federal, state, tribal, and municipal agencies as well as industry and the public at large.
*CLOSED: RFQ (Request for Qualifications)
Technical Support for Developing and Testing in situ Air Sampling Apparatus for Characterizing Exposure from Oil Slicks at the Air Water Interface
Issue date: December 12, 2023
Due Date: January 26, 2023
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) is soliciting proposals for Technical Support for developing and testing an in situ air sampling apparatus for characterizing oil exposure to surface breathing animals in the marine environment. This project is intended to characterize both gas and liquid phases of oil constituents in the air column over a surface slick, which will be mapped according to surface oil thickness classifications. Characterization of the gradient of air exposure moving up the air column, including focusing on more biologically significant measurements close to the air water interface is the primary focus of this investigation. This includes determining and documenting an exposure gradient from the surface up through the air column over different thicknesses of oil, and if possible, under different wind, wave, and weathering conditions.
The purpose of this project is to provide technically sound, science‐based support to the CRRC as part of its Five‐Year Grant from NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (ORR). An RFQ process will be used to select the successful Proposer that will be issued a subaward under UNH’s prime award.
