CCR: 37755

With this contracting action, the following will be accomplished:

1) Extend contract to align with all the other CHaMP contracts and the “everything Sitka umbrella contract”; Project #:  2008-009-00;
2) Add budget to accomplish work during the contract extension; and
3) Extend WEs to keep O&M ongoing throughout the contract extension period.

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The purpose of this contract is to provide technical support for ongoing operations and maintenance (O&M), training, and limited functional enhancements to the CHaMP Data Management System and related subsystems.

The CHaMP Data Management System (DMS) was been developed by Sitka Technology Group over the period 2011 - 2015. In this sixth year of the system, Sitka will continue to provide training, technical and operational support for critical core system functions and to a lesser extent than in years past, work to make these system functions more effective and efficient based on feedback from the field crews, program management, analysts, and researchers. The CHaMP Program is no longer considered a pilot program, and as such, we do not expect significant changes to core data collection methods, metrics, and field data collection processes in FY16.

Compared to prior years, this contract places less emphasis on refinements to data collection procedures and greater emphasis on management and publication of secondary model outputs.  Secondary model outputs are those data artifacts created by analysts running advanced computational models on CHaMP-defined metrics.  In order to be shared in context with regional stakeholders, these artifacts (at a time chosen by Program Management) need to be imported into the DMS and cataloged so that they can be easily located and shared.  The work associated with this goal is a point of emphasis in FY16.

This contract also funds the FISMA compliant hosting, online data storage, disaster recovery processes, and ongoing technical management (real-time monitoring, penetration testing, backup, security, etc.) of the champmonitoring.org data system itself, the integrated metrics web application.

Finally, this contract provides a nominal amount of funding to repair, replace, and actively manage the inventory of iPad data loggers in use by the CHaMP field crews. These iPads were purchased under the FY14 Sitka Technology Group CHaMP contract (#63166).

This contract requires oversight and direction from the CHaMP Data Management Advisory Group (DMAT). This team is responsible for periodically reviewing and providing feedback on the priorities, requirements, and proposed designs of the CHaMP data management system (includes supporting pre-season, in-season, and post-season activities). We also need DMAT engagement in early testing and beta testing (which may require testing in the field). Sitka has an obligation to provide this team regular opportunities for input and efficient processes for collecting that input on early designs and early software versions. The DMAT then has an obligation to provide feedback in a timely fashion in order to give Sitka ample time to address the feedback and make necessary changes. Certain work elements in this contract include language that describe these opportunities for collaboration and oversight.

For 2016, this team is composed of Chris Jordan, Carol Volk, Boyd Bouwes, Sarah Walker, Andy Hill, and Steve Fortney. As need arises, we may call upon and require the input from other members of the broader CHaMP team.

To see the actual system, go to:

http://www.champmonitoring.org (Production environment)
http://qa.champmonitoring.org (QA environment)